San Diego Beer Party

Well yesterday was a fun day. It was pouring rain most of the day, but just like any trooper in search of beer I made my way to Ginza for the San Diego Beer Party to introduce Ballast Point to Japan. 

Held at Salon De G, this was a well planned gig. Props to Andrew from Nagano trading (the importer) for this. When I got there I was one of the first in the door. 5000 yen got entry, food, lots of beer and a pint glass. I ordered the Big Eye first, which is a fantastic IPA.

Good to see many beer lovers there. The two Tims who are very knowledgable on beer and Chewy (who is a beer God!) I had met before. But met a slew of interesting and friendly people as well. One who stood out was Scott, who is a brewer now at Gotemba Kogen, having worked at Sierra Nevada before. He was very friendly and forthcoming. Cheers to all the other people I met.

The food was delicious and plentiful. Ranging from Organic vegetables, to mini hamburgers and fried shrimp to delicious olives. It managed to compliment the beer wonderfully.  As for the beer well the aforementioned Big eye was the highlight for me, but the rest of the beer was wonderful too. A quick run down on the beers I drunk are as follows-

Big Eye IPA (9/10)

Dorado DIPA (8/10)

Green Flash 30th street Pale Ale (7/10)

Bourbon Barrel Black Marlin Porter (8/10)

Victory at Sea Imperial Porter (7/10)

Stone IPA (7.5/10)

Abandon Hope Smoked (7.5/10)

Green Flash Trippel (7.5/10)

Calico Amber Ale (7/10)

So all in all a great time. I must have ended up having around 6 or 7 pints (US size) but kept well hydrated, so no hangover! I look forward to drinking more Ballast Point in the future...

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;)