Books + Brews: A Hero Born (December 2025)

A Hero Born, a captivating story of an unexpected boy's rise to kung fu mastery, alongside this month’s sakes warmed up.

This month De’Andre, Umami Mart’s Spirits Portfolio Manager, takes over Sake Gumi with a cozy pairing: books and sake. Take it away, De’Andre!

Though I pair food and drink on occasion, the majority of the time my consumption coincides with activities other than eating. Gaming, martial arts, drawing, to name a few, but more often than not, alongside a good book. Therein lies a particular comfort with a nice warm beverage on a cold night, clad in your warmest throw blanket and settling in for a good story. If there’s any way I can recommend you try warm sake, this is it.

I adore the art of storytelling, and I’m one of those people who see books as portals to different worlds and perspectives that can leave lasting impacts on your life and psyche in the hands of a skilled author. There are few as skilled and highly regarded as Jin Yong, author of Legend of the Condor Heroes, a four part series, but today I’ll recommend the first book titled, A Hero Born. Our protagonist Guo Jing was raised on the plains of Mongolia in the court of Ghengish Khan learning martial arts from seven different masters. In order to avenge the death of his father and compete in a contest of skill against the student of his teachers’ rival, Guo Jing sets off on a quest to mainland China. Traveling the breadth of a realm on the brink of war, Guo Jing gains powerful allies, encounters dangerous bandits, and battles against secret martial arts sects as he learns and grows to become one of the greatest warriors of “Wulin”.

Widely considered the “Tolkien of the East” due to his high-flying martial arts adventure being hugely impactful throughout eastern fantasy. The first in the series, A Hero Born was written in 1957 and finally translated into English after decades in print, this series serves as an amazing gateway for the Wuxia and Martial Heroes genre. The DNA of which can be found, of course, all throughout martial arts movies and kung fu cinema, shonen anime, and even western shows like Xena: Warrior Princess, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Condor Heroes laid the foundation for many tropes of the genre we see today including: magic powers obtained through grueling training, secret martial technique manuals, and gravity-defying fights that read like scenes straight out of Crouching Tiger or a Jet Li film. This series has it all and then some.

Having grown up in the Kung Fu school and a life long-love of martial arts films, reading this felt like 20 puzzle pieces all clicking into place simultaneously. Required reading for Kung fu nerds, anyone who enjoys unique writing styles and prose, or the fantasy reader looking to get out of their cultural comfort zone and break away from the western mold. It’s time to dust off that tome sitting on your shelf, grab something new, or pick up an old favorite. Crack open a bottle of sake, let your shoulders relax, and get cozy with your favorite books and brews. Best part, no book reports due on Monday.

Kanpai,

De’Andre (Spirits Portfolio Manager)

SILVER + GOLD

Yuho Eternal Embers Junmai
Mioya Sake Brewery (Ishikawa, Japan)
Seimaibuai: 55% Notohikari SMV: +6, Acidity: 1.7

A label right in line with the sci-fi/fantasy theme, Yuho is the pronunciation for UFO, referring to the region’s many sightings! The sake is named after the local “River Crossing” festival in which lanterns are lit to guide the spirits of literal star-crossed lovers to reach each other one night a year. Did I mention there’s a cute love story in the A Hero is Born? Just know that they’re in my top Kung Fu couples list. The sake has lovely lactic acidity on the aroma and light citrus in the background. This one shines when warmed; sporting notes of caramel, roasted nuts, toast, and marshmallow that compliments the acidity. A refreshingly dry and crisp ending. Pairs wonderfully with a good book or movie whether it’s warm or room temp. For food pairing, we recommend sauteed seafood, or herbal dishes like pesto pasta.

Oshu No Ryu Blue Dragon Tokubetsu Junmai 
Iwate Meijo Sake Brewery (Iwate, Japan)
Seimaibuai: 60% Kamenoo SMV: +1, Acidity: 1.6

Iwate Meijo is a merger between two breweries that have been in operation for over 150 years. They strive to use local ingredients, rice, water, yeast, and koji. Wonder why I chose the sake with the dragon on it? The Chief of the Beggar Clan teaches Guo Jing a powerful technique called “Haughty Dragon Repents” from his “18 Dragon Subduing Palms” style. Gotta love those Kung Fu naming conventions! The sake itself is paying homage to the warrior diplomat Masamune Date, who was known as the “One-Eyed Dragon” of Oshu from the Tohoku region. A bold brew with sweetness to back it up. Aromas of raisins and notes of juicy tropical fruits like pineapple. Great texture when warmed with notes of pecan pie, cotton candy, and some mirin on the back palate. Pairs well with hearty meat dishes like steak, pork and stews.