The Sake Studies Center at Brooklyn Kura

We believe that education is the key to making the enjoyment and understanding of sake more mainstream.  With that in mind, we are proud to welcome you to the Sake Studies Center at Brooklyn Kura, the first sake school in the country attached to a working sake brewery.  Led by our Director of Education Timothy Sullivan, we offer a wide range of fun and interactive sake tastings and education programming with something for everyone, from sake beginners to industry professionals. In addition to our own in-person and online courses, we are also opening our classroom and community to host sake educators from around the world. Booking for all our sake pairings, seminars and tasting events is available on our website. We hope you'll join us to "learn about sake where sake is made!"
Classroom with tables and chairs

Our Instructors

Photo of Timothy Sullivan
Timothy Sullivan
Timothy Sullivan is the Director of Education and lead instructor for classes at the Sake Studies Center at Brooklyn Kura.  He has over 18 years of experience teaching about sake and in 2007, he was awarded the prestigious title of Sake Samurai by the Japan Sake Brewers Association. Since 2013, Timothy has served as the Global Brand Ambassador for Hakkaisan Sake Brewery. Timothy brings a wealth of knowledge as well as practical brewing experience to the classroom.  

Timothy's Experience and Certifications

2023 International Sake Lecturer Certification (Sake Service Institute)

2019 Sake Scholar Certification

2019 JSA Sake Diploma International

2016 12 Month Sake Brewing Internship – Hakkaisan Sake Brewery, Niigata Japan

2016 WSET Level 3 Award in Sake and WSET Sake Educator Certification

2014 SSI International Kikisake-shi Sake Sommelier (Sake Service Institute)

2014 Advanced Sake Professional (Sake Education Council)

Photo of Timothy Sullivan
K.C. Laczin
K.C. is the National Sales manager for Brooklyn Kura. She is a certified sake and wine sommelier with a longtime interest in craft beverages and Japanese culture. She spent time working with DC Sake co and at restaurants in the D.C. area, including Maxwell Park.
K.C.'s Experience and Certifications

2025 WSET Sake Educator Certification

2024 WSET Level 3 Award in Sake

2021 SSI International Kikisake-shi Sake Sommelier (Sake Service Institute)

2021 Sake Scholar Certification

2020 WSET Level 3 Award in Wine


Photo of Timothy Sullivan
Alex Hazen Floyd
Alex Hazen Floyd is the Operations and Direct to Consumer Manager for Brooklyn Kura. His job encompasses everything from the daily operations of the brewery, to leading the Kura Kin project, as well as off-site events and brand collaborations. Alex has over 10 year of experience in the food and beverage industry.


Alex's Experience and Certifications

2025 WSET Sake Educator Certification

2025 Sake Scholar Certification

2024 WSET Level 3 Award in Sake





Photo of Timothy Sullivan
Kyle Davis
Kyle Davis was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has been bartending since 2011 and working in the world of sake and shochu since 2021. Besides running the beverage program at Brooklyn Kura, they are a drag performer, horror enthusiast, and have had their cocktails and articles featured in Wine Enthusiast, Cheers Magazine, Time Out New York, and the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association Blog.