I’m not always entirely well disposed to
the Japanese tendency to utilize rice for just about every culinary situation
you could think of, as well as a good number you can’t. I get the reasons for
it, but it does sometimes remind me a little too much of Bubba Blue’s attitude
towards shrimp.
That said, this is quite a nice little drop.
Hitachino do some nice stuff, which I think I’d enjoy even without the added attraction
of it making a desperately needed change from the mass-produced lagers which
form the majority of the beer market here. This stuff isn’t quite in the same
league as their White Ale, and lacks for a certain bite (which is
pathetically vague but I’m not sure how else to put it), but I certainly wouldn’t
turn my nose up at it if it was offered again.
Hitachino is the most consistent of the brewers, I've found. That beer is a clever experiment, but I don't need it again. Have you tried Koedo's sweet potato beer? Technically 'happo-shu' except doesn't suck. Same sort of thing: clever, good effort, no more, thanks.
I've been getting into Japanese craft brews lately, but since there are places in Tokyo to get American craft beers on tap and by the pint, I have few opportunities to mess around with the bottled stuff. We've got 3 Baird's taprooms, a place called "The Watering Hole" that has some of the best craft beer I've had in Japan, as well as a newer place in Shibuya called "Goodbeer Faucets". Ἀντισθένης recommends Popeye's, but I rarely get over to that side of town...
Will have to try some of the Hitachino stuff as well as more Shiga Kogen...
Taprooms are good. So are the Devil Kraft locations. Popeye excels. I could name places with Belgian and other foreign beer, but with beer I believe in drinking local: seems absurd to ship across oceans what's also made well locally. I break that rule entirely with whisky. Though the Japanese make many fine whiskies, they make none I know of in an Islay style, and make none well any cheaper than scotch you can buy here.
Yona Yona now has a place I need to get to. Maybe we should have a blogger night. http://www.yonayonabeerkitchen.com/info/index.html
Cool. Of course, I cannot presume everyone is in Kanto, much less Tokyo, or that if they join they'd put much information here, or should. I'm in Tokyo, and it seems you are, 'Billy', though it's possible I misread. 'Kamo' I am not sure of, or most others who are also welcome. For those who are not near Tokyo it'd be cool if they could join when passing through the city. Please chime in. Maybe I'll put a similar invite up on my blog for getting a few pints.
Well, this is all all very convivial. I'm afraid I'm a little too provincial for a meet-up to be feasible, and can only look on in envy as you guys flaunt your big city lifestyles with your 'nightlife' and variety' and 'human contact'.
Not that I'm not sorely tempted to see Ant off in the sort of style he clearly deserves ;)
Kamo, apologies for hijacking this thread, especially in light of the revelation that you are NOT willing to make a cross-country trip for the purpose of drinking some craft beer with fellow bloggers ;)
Ant, do put up an invite on your blog if you cook up a good idea for a drink-up. However, you can also email me if you feel like grabbing a couple and have an extra seat in the beer buggy. planetearthdenizen@gmail.com
Hitachino is the most consistent of the brewers, I've found. That beer is a clever experiment, but I don't need it again. Have you tried Koedo's sweet potato beer? Technically 'happo-shu' except doesn't suck. Same sort of thing: clever, good effort, no more, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've been getting into Japanese craft brews lately, but since there are places in Tokyo to get American craft beers on tap and by the pint, I have few opportunities to mess around with the bottled stuff. We've got 3 Baird's taprooms, a place called "The Watering Hole" that has some of the best craft beer I've had in Japan, as well as a newer place in Shibuya called "Goodbeer Faucets". Ἀντισθένης recommends Popeye's, but I rarely get over to that side of town...
ReplyDeleteWill have to try some of the Hitachino stuff as well as more Shiga Kogen...
Taprooms are good. So are the Devil Kraft locations. Popeye excels. I could name places with Belgian and other foreign beer, but with beer I believe in drinking local: seems absurd to ship across oceans what's also made well locally. I break that rule entirely with whisky. Though the Japanese make many fine whiskies, they make none I know of in an Islay style, and make none well any cheaper than scotch you can buy here.
DeleteYona Yona now has a place I need to get to. Maybe we should have a blogger night.
http://www.yonayonabeerkitchen.com/info/index.html
I could do that...
DeleteCool. Of course, I cannot presume everyone is in Kanto, much less Tokyo, or that if they join they'd put much information here, or should. I'm in Tokyo, and it seems you are, 'Billy', though it's possible I misread. 'Kamo' I am not sure of, or most others who are also welcome. For those who are not near Tokyo it'd be cool if they could join when passing through the city. Please chime in. Maybe I'll put a similar invite up on my blog for getting a few pints.
DeleteWell, this is all all very convivial. I'm afraid I'm a little too provincial for a meet-up to be feasible, and can only look on in envy as you guys flaunt your big city lifestyles with your 'nightlife' and variety' and 'human contact'.
ReplyDeleteNot that I'm not sorely tempted to see Ant off in the sort of style he clearly deserves ;)
Am afraid to ask what that would be.
DeleteKamo, apologies for hijacking this thread, especially in light of the revelation that you are NOT willing to make a cross-country trip for the purpose of drinking some craft beer with fellow bloggers ;)
ReplyDeleteAnt, do put up an invite on your blog if you cook up a good idea for a drink-up. However, you can also email me if you feel like grabbing a couple and have an extra seat in the beer buggy. planetearthdenizen@gmail.com
Hijack away. I'm just sorry I can't make it. You could always send me some of the choicer brews as a kind of finder's fee, if you feel so inclined ;)
Delete