Episode 1 - Cam & Sam Talks Holidays!

Welcome to the very first episode of Cam & Sam Talks a new mini-series from The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast.

In these shorter, 20-ish minute episodes, your hosts Camilla Bonnannini and Samuel Boulton catch up on all things they love: Japanese food, drink, culture, travel, news… or just whatever’s on their minds.

This time? It’s all about Japan travel plans! Both Sam and Cam are heading to Japan later this year with their partners, who’ll be experiencing the country for the first time.

In this relaxed, personal chat, they discuss:

• The cities they’re planning to visit

• Sake breweries at the top of their lists

• What their partners are most excited about

• Bars spots they can’t wait to visit or try for the first time

• How it feels to return to Japan with fresh eyes, and new company

If you’re planning your first (or next!) Japan trip, love sake, or just enjoy travel talk with good vibes, this one’s for you.

In this episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast, hosts Samuel Boulton and Camilla Bonnannini are joined by special guest Adam Smith-Hopesdale, a devoted fan of Japanese sake, though not a professional in the industry.

Together, they dive into an insightful conversation about how Japanese sake is perceived, marketed, and ultimately sold outside Japan. With Sam and Camilla offering expertise from within the industry, and Adam providing a candid consumer perspective, this episode bridges both sides of the market to uncover what really works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to promoting sake globally.

Whether you’re in the drinks trade, a sake brewer, or just curious about the sake scene, this episode is packed with ideas, opinions, and practical takeaways.

Join the Conversation:

What’s your experience selling or discovering sake? Let us know on social @theizakayahappyhour or drop us a message!

The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast – Episode 13: Fun & Novelty Packaging in the Sake Industry

Welcome back to The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast! In this episode, hosts Samuel Boulton (@boultononbooze), Arline Lyons (@tastetranslation), and Sarah Stewart (@sakestudies) dive into the wild and wonderful world of fun and novelty packaging in the sake industry.

From anime collaborations to seasonal releases and zodiac-themed bottles, sake makers are constantly coming up with creative ways to capture our attention—and our taste buds!

What’s in this episode?

🍶 Attack on Titan sake?! – How anime collaborations are bringing new fans to the world of sake.

🍶 The “Fu Fighters” effect – When bands, brands, and brewers join forces for unique releases.

🍶 Seasonal and zodiac sake – Limited-edition designs for the Lunar New Year and beyond.

🍶 Sake for spectacle wearers – A quirky concept where only those with glasses can enjoy the drink.

Whether you’re a sake enthusiast, a packaging design lover, or just here for the offbeat finds, this episode is packed with unique bottles, clever marketing, and unexpected collaborations.

Grab your favorite sake and join us for another round of Izakaya Happy Hour! Kanpai! 🥂

🎧 Listen now and follow us for more:

📢 Samuel Boulton – @boultononbooze

📢 Arline Lyons – @tastetranslations

📢 Sarah Stewart – @sakestudies