Sucks to be you

Friday night was a quiet one. Just had an Yebisu (6.5/10). Had to try it after all the bashing it has been getting recently. And guess what? It's a good beer. Nice full body. I enjoyed it and would drink again in a heartbeat If offered.

Saturday involved a trek to Shibuya to check out the Oita Ukiyo-e Museum. Being a fan of this style of art, I highly recmmend this place. It's in Harajuku and has a good collection of art. After that I took a quick photo of the Meiji Shrine Torrii and then headed to Mejiro. At Tanakaya they had a good selection in. Picked up a Firestone Union Jack, Lagunitas Hop Stoopid and Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA. As you can see coming in to a hot summer requires big, hoppy beers!

I was waiting in McDonalds with a McFlurry for my friend to call. They did, but to cancel our plans, so I decided to drink the Firestone (8.5/10) in the Maccy Ds. Haha. It was good. Really hoppy and sweet without being over the top. Would try it again, but at 1500 yen a bottle, It's pushing it a bit. The Mcflurry was awesome too. Oreo, If you really need to know.

After a bomber of that I headed to Akihabara to visit a maid cafe. I had never been to one and since I'm leaving thought I better cross it off my list. Well it wasn't quite what Iexpected. The maids only smiled and 'Genked' it up when they had to. When I tried to take a photo they nearly jumped on me yelling 'No photo!!'. I drunk my 600 yen coffee, chatted to some young ladies there, then hightailed it to Popeyes.

Popeyes is an institution. The best selection of beer in Japan. 70 plus taps. The staff are great, particularly Aoki san, the affable owner. The beer quality and serving quality are not always amazing, but never bad. On this evening I downed a Yona Yona Real Ale, Rogue Brutal Bitter, Ozenoyukidoke IPA, Yo Ho Barley Wine and a small Divine Vamp, the House Beer. Good times. As this was my last visit Aoki san graciously presented me with a Popeye's mug and magazine. I will always have fond memories of this place and will be back with bells on If I ever come back to Japan.

I then made my way to Aldgate for a Rogue Double Dead Guy. Unfortunately It was finished, so I had a Preston IPA, Aldgate ale (Swan Lake Amber) and a Erdinger Weiss. The boys (ie Capa, Chuwy, HBJ and TimE) showed up for a bit, but by then I was 3 sheets to the proverbial wind so after a bit of drunk banter I took my drunk ass home for some kip.

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Sunday was a reasonably early start, as I went bowling with my co workers. It was fun time, but I really need to practice. I sucked! Although in my defence, I haven't bowled in at least two years. After a few games we went for lunch at an all you can eat bread place. I ate about 20 pieces of bread and a salad. Just a small meal. We then took some print club and played some games at the arcade. Man those places swallow your loose change so fast.

After that, I invited my co workers around for a drink at my place. I drunk the Hop Stoopid (8.5/10) and Torpedo (7.5/10) as well as a few Westys (look at the great pouring shots taken by my co worker above). Good times and interesting conversation. After walking these retrobates back to the station it was time for bed. Back to work next morning, where i find myself writing this, during my lunch break on a balmy Summer day. Atsui, ne!?

Hopstar 88 yen beer - sound appetizing? no thanks....

I don't know If this was the name of the shop, but it gave me a chuckle.

what's not to like?

Friday night involved hoping on a bullet train to Tokyo to meet Tim and his mates for a special beer tasting. After having a Whiskey barrel Iwate Kura IPA at Bulldog, we went and found a very urban, chic environment (ie under the train tracks) to try Mikkeller Beer Geek Weasel (made with civet coffee - most expensive in the World) and Deschutes the Abyss (aged in French Oak and Bourbon Barrels).

Two huge, black 11% Imperial Stouts they were both sublime, as we watched (and cajouled) the nightlife walking by. The winner for me was the Abyss (9/10), just because of the huge complexity, though the weasel (8.5/10) was no slouch. Anyone that knows me knows I love a big, black imperial - so I was very happy. Company was good too. Cheers for sharing Tim! Back on the train for last trains to Yokohama, then home. PHEW safe!

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Which brings us to Saturday. I decided to head to Motomachi to buy some shoes (a steal at 6000 yen down from 16000 yen), before walking through Chinatown and along Yasmashita pier to the Red Brick Warehouses for the Y150 celabrations. If you don't already know, it is 150 years since the Black Ships of Commodore Perry shimmied their way in to Yokohama, opening up trade with the outside world for the first time in centuries (except for with the dutch I believe). Here is a replica of said ships.

 

Anyway, enough with the history lesson. They have an exposition type event at the port, which I wanted to see. First problem was the entrance fee - 2400 yen! Over thirty Australian dollars. Next it was all in Japanese and finally it was a waste of time. The exhibits were bland and lifeless. There was an Anime especially made for the event, though it was all in Japanese and the quality of the anmation wasn't that great. The big robot spider thingy from Paris was interesting, but only a few hundred yen interesting. Get where I'm going with this?? 

Anyway Toyota had a pavillion which amounted to the World's biggest TV showing a ten minute movie on Japan and lots of advertising for it's green awareness cars. Woo hoo. Finally there was a big 20m in Diameter balloon that displayed images at night, which wasn't as fascinating as it sounded. All in all I felt done. Royally. Well the best I can offer is to warn others not to waste their money, particularly as the Spider can be seen from a nearby pedestrian overpass anyway. Oh for shame Yokohama. It wasn't crowded and you could see why. The number one rule of business is to get repeat custom, but there is no chance with the shite on display. Ahem, moving on.

In fairness, my day did get a lot better. I decided to head to Yokohama Brewery (which I had never visited!) where I met up with Chris 'chief running mouth talkalota' Chuwy. We had a really good pint (600mls actually) of Green Fresh, their big unfiltered IPA. Then it was a quick, gassy dash (I drunk my beer too quickly) to craft beer bar to meet up with Homebrewjapan and his missus. A real affable chap, he bought some of the brews he had been perfecting recently, as witnessed on his blog. But not before I got a pint of Shiga Kogen IPA in, from my favourite brewer. 

We made our way down the pier, which was lovely and cool in the evening, with a lovely sea breeze. Very romantic if I weren't with a welsh talking machine and a couple. Homebrewjapan then whipped out the big guns (oh my!). We tried his great homebrew and I must say he shows great potential. For a full run down see here, for HBJ's write up, and here for Chris' two pints worth. I thought his pilsner and hitachino nest IPA were the pick of the bunch, but there were no bad beers. I think they might have suffered from carbonation issues, but that was explained by homebrew. Apparently forced carbonation was used over traditional methods (that's what I was going to say, but he explainrd before I had the chance ;P).

Chuwy then whipped out his big gun...luckily it was a bottle of HaandBryggeriet dark force (8/10) and not his long suffering willy. It was delicious. A big, black wheat (?!) imperial stout. Boozy and long. Cheers Chris, it was a nice surprise. We then made a run to Yokohama for a Thrash, but for some reason it was closed (We would find out later Koichi had a cold). So we made our way to cheers. Haven't been there for ages, as this focus is on Belgian beers, which I haven't been a fan of recently and it is a little costly, compared to Thrash.

We ordered four glasses of St. Bernardus 12, which is a great beer, though just a bit too sweet for me on the night. Great as it was, it was time to down it quickly and dash for the station for the last train again. Whew thanks Chris and Homebrewjapan for a pleasant evening, after a lackluster day. Let's do it again before I leave!

(Above two photos: My second hometown. Always in my heart.)

Sunday Arvo

Sunday evening beers - Sierra Nevada Bigfoot (8/10), followed by a 2001 Samichlaus (8/10)! Both big fruity beers. Obviously the Sami had mellowed and matured. It was good, but I think the 2008 is good too - just different! Had a wedding on Saturday (see the pics below), before going to craft beer bar and finishing off at home with a Nogne Imperial Stout (8.5/10), which I found hiding in Tanakaya. I thought they were all sold out, but I found one hiding at the back hooray! Nice big example of my favourite style...

Van Halen and Satriani's Love child - one night only

I think this about sums up my guitar playing ability! But I enjoy it and Koichi is always kind enough to let me play at the Thrash Zone. This pic courtesy of Chuwy's highly readable, always quotable blog.

Drank a bit too much last night. Greenflash DIPA (7/10 - their West Coast IPA kills this), Stone RIS (9/10), Minoh DIPA (6.5/10 - Don't get me started on Minoh) and West Coast IPA (9/10). Then went home and drank a Samichlaus (14%!) and whisky...but I was still able to perform my duty at the end of the night;)...As you can guess I'm a bit under the weather today...

Popeye's Redux

Beers -

Shiga Kogen IPA

Preston Babakan DIPA

Isekadoya Amber

Hakuseikikan Brown Ale

Rogue Yellow Snow IPA

Tokyo Black (Nitrogen)

Isekadoya Brown Ale

Rogue Shakesphere Stout

Hakusekikan Super Vintage

Nasu Kogen Nine Tailed Fox

Ozenoyukidoke IPA (Through the Hop Heart - like a Randall)

Atsugi Tripel

I shared a few of these - but yes I was pretty hammered!

Beer test

Walk in to a bar and order three beers. Which three would you choose? Friday night after work I went to Thrash Zone in Yokohama and ordered the following - 

1. Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye (8.5/10) on  tap

2. Green Flash West Coast IPA (9/10) - unfiltered too! on tap

3. Stone Double Bastard (9.5/10) - bottle

How's that for a list? All were simply delicious. I don't think you could drink these kind of beers at many bars in the US outside California. For this I salute the new found Japanese desire for GOOD beer! They were pricey, but high alcohol and slow drinking, so I prefer it to cheaper, sculling beer from an Izakaya. 'Master' bate to that!

All hail the Samichlaus

Over the weekend I was a bit skint but this didn't stop me picking up a Samichlaus from import store Seijo Ishi just round the corner from my work. At 600 yen for 14% this is a fair deal. Especially when a lot of japanese micros turn out weizens, pale ales etc for at least 500 yen.

Not only that but it tastes great. How great? I'm buying up a supply so I have a few if it runs out. Big and smooth with lots of doughy sweet malt and a nice bitter finish, it takes a while to get used to, but I must have drunk it a dozen times and I am a true convert.

This is the best thing to come out of Austria since Arnold Swarzeneggar (At least predator era Arnie - don't get me started on the true awesomeness of that movie)! GET TO THA CHOPPA...

P.S I have the glass too...A great sippin beer glass!

Good man that Churchill

"Always remember that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me."-Winston Churchill

"Make sure that the beer - four pints a week - goes to the troops under fire before any of the parties in the rear get a drop."-Winston Churchill to his Secretary of War, 1944

"Sir, if you were my husband, I would poison your drink."-Lady Astor to Winston Churchill "Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it."-His reply

Ballast Point

Ballast Point Beers outta San Diego are making their way to Japan, thanks to Andrew of Nagano Trading. I am the first to admit I have yet to put a BP to my lips, but I'm looking forward to having more than my share at the Welcome Party for Ballast Point in Tokyo. All I can say is welcome to Japan and I look forward to downing my share of West Coast goodness!

In honour of this I present my 5 favourite japanese brews that could stand up to anything produced in America at the moment...

1. Shiga Kogen House IPA - This is Japan's equivalent to a Pliny from Russian River. Not overpowering, but BIG BIG BIG. Very well balanced for a DIPA.

2. Hakusakien Super Vintage Ale - This is more like a port than a beer. Super smooth and alcoholy at 14.3%. Try the raisin version for extra OOOMMMPHHH.

3.Yona Yona/Tokyo Black - My two favourite readily available brews. Yona is perhaps one of the best pale ales I've ever had and Tokyo is a dark dream. Both amazingly flavourful for 5%.

4. Swan Lake Amber Ale - This is how to make an Amber ale. Full bodied and moreish with delicious caramel tones. 

5. Fujizakura Weizen - When I feel like a German this is the brewery to turn to. Their Weizen is the best I've ever had, Japanese or otherwise.

These are all year round beers. If I turned to specials I would include Shiga Kogen and Baird's Imperial Stouts...but then I am biased towards the dark lord of beers;)

Pliny I hardly knew you

Had a bastard of a weekend so I decided o get in to my bottle of Pliny the Elder sooner rather than later. It was good. Damn good.

Yes the best double IPA I’ve had along with the ruination. Pours a gorgeous dark yellow with a creamy froathy head. The nose is an unbelievable hop extravaganza. The mouthfeel is smooth and medium to full bodied. Taste of grapefruit, citrus and pine. Lingers in the mouth for a while, but not in an overpowering way. I stumbled across this in Tanakaya and it was 1260 yen well spent. Who knows when I’ll be able to try this amazing brew again, if ever!

Good ol Double IPAs. They certainly know how to show you a good time. On a slight note they are also one of the most dangerous beers to drink in a bar. At 7 to 10% and gooing down so easily, they can really sneak up on you quickly. I really enjoy the Stone Ruination, Speakeasy Double Daddy and Shiga Kogen's House IPA. mmmMMmmm its beer time (copyright McDonalds corp).

Be jealous....

I was in Tokyo yesterday to pick up a passport (long story!!) and decided to stop by Tanakaya in Mejiro. The place is the sh@t!! Always great, even if the prices are not always. Yesterday they had World Wide Stout (18%) and 120 IPA (21%), Avery Metistophiles (?!), Dark Horizon by Nogne and Black Flag Imperial Stout, which I got a recommendation about, not to mention hundreds more. 

I was there to pick up some Takashi Imperial Stout by my favourite Japanese brewer. Tamamura Honten, who make Shiga Kogen Beer. Takashi is the head brewer and If you read way back I visited these guys way back in December. They only brew this once a year so I picked up a four pack. Already drunk one, which was sensational (9/10). Here's the review.

Tamamura honten done good here. A reasonably full bodied stout with a strong dark nose. A pitch black pour with a taste of chocolate oils and berries, that just gets better as it warms. Lingers in the mouth. Quite hoppy for the style. Too bad its only brewed once a year...p.s its up to 10% this year.

The find of the day however, as you can see in the photo, was a bottle of Piny the Elder by Russian River! I have never seen Russian River in Japan, so before you could say "Holy cow Batman how did you fit that in there?", I grabbed this little beauty. If you don't know it's a Double IPA (or WIPA as they say over here - geddit?!). It has some majorly good press on ratebeer, so I'll defo do a review when I pop it. Sorry to those in Japan who want a bottle, I think I snapped the last one up...it didn't even have one of those little postings most beers have, just a price tag. But don't feel bummed - Tanakaya still has a kick ass bunch of beers for all tastes! Prost!

Crossover...hope that doesn't mean limp bizkit:(

Well last weekend I went to the Thrash Zone to try Koichi san's creation...CROSSOVER. He made the beer at Yokohama brewery and apparently used 5kg of hops to create this monster. Heres my ratebeer review.

This is a brew by Koichi from Thash Zone. It’s a cross between a cream ale and an IPA. Unfiltered. Poured with a half inch of head. A dense, cloudy light orange hue. Big nose of grapefruit and citrus. The hops are Amarillo and Centennial. Big, solid mouthful with a strong grapefruit taste on the palate. Sits in the mouth for a while after. Definately more of an west coast style IPA, they only thing letting it down was that it was a bit one dimensional. Otherwise a more than competent brew. Well done Koichi!

Truly it was a tongue scraping hop monster. Koichi said the dry hopped version was too extreme, so I'm glad  I got the original. Always nice to try new brews. If you tried it let me know what you thought!