Tokyo, Japan — April 30, 2026 Space-brewed sake sells for 587000 euros
A bottle of sake brewed in space under simulated lunar gravity conditions was sold in Japan for approximately 587,000 euros, marking a milestone in extraterrestrial fermentation experiments.
The Lunar Sake Experiment
The sake was produced using specialized equipment developed by Japanese brewer Dassai and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The fermentation process took place aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in November, under conditions designed to mimic the moon's gravity. The resulting brew was returned to Earth in February and refined into 116 milliliters of sake.
According to verified reports, the experiment successfully demonstrated that sake production is feasible under lunar gravity. This breakthrough has significant implications for future lunar colonization efforts, where locally produced beverages could improve quality of life for residents.
A Record-Breaking Sale
Of the 116 milliliters produced, 100 milliliters were sold to an anonymous buyer for 110 million yen (approximately 587,000 euros). The remaining 16 milliliters were reserved for sampling and taste testing.
Tasters described the space-brewed sake as having a "distinct acidity" and a "well-balanced and robust sake flavor" (original German quote: "eine deutliche Säure und einen 'gut ausbalancierten robusten Sake-Geschmack'"). The unique fermentation conditions in microgravity reportedly contributed to its distinctive profile.