Here, in Part Two, is a look at the west side of Craft Beer
Live 2018, which was held on May 26 & 27 at the Osaka Minatomachi River
Place plaza. For Part One, see HERE.
一乗寺ブリュワリー / Ichijyouji Brewery
明石ビール / Akashi Beer
This is one of the better Japanese makers of German styles
(pils, weizen) in Japan.
堺収穫麦酒 (ハーベストの丘) / Sakai Harvest Beer (Harvest
Hill)
A farm resort in southern Osaka prefecture. One rarely sees
their beers outside of this annual festival.
Harvest no Oka Munchner (Honma mon ya sakai)
(Dunkel/Tmavý)
Malty nose, with some caramel and some grain. Dark copper
color, thin creamy tan head. Moderately malty initial flavor, some light roast
malt, bit of caramel. Very thin body, and quite foamy in the mouth. A little
too sweet, really.
Harvest no Oka Harvest no Kaori White Ale
(Witbier)
Wheaty nose, with some zestiness, and small bit of spice.
Hazy medium straw color, foamy white head. Thin wheat, some mildly tangy
fruitiness in mid palate. Quite sweet. Very thin final bitterness. Thin body.
Not bad, but doesn't really do much for me.
なら麦酒ならまち醸造所 / Nara Beer Naramachi Brewery
A new brewery in Nara.
丹波篠山 ジグザグブルワリー
/ Zigzag Brewery, Tanbasasayama
長浜浪漫ビール / Nagahama Roman Beer
Nagahama Roman Spring Breeze White IPA
(India Pale Ale)
Spritzy citrus nose. Hazy pale brownish yellow color. Fruity
initial, and the bitterness enters fast and hard. Thin-medium body. Very nice
nose; flavors nothing special.
Nagahama Nachtmusik #3
(Dortmunder/Helles)
Malty nose, light fruitiness, caramel, and earthy hops.
Flavors similar, with moderate maltiness, light bitterness, and some tangy
fruit from mid palate onward. Thin body, and it gets even thinner from mid
palate. Nice enough, but it kind of falls apart after a few sips. Anyway, it's
great that Nagahama has finally solved its main problem, which was an
overabundance of yeastiness in aroma and flavor.
ウッドミルブルワリー・京都 / Woodmill Brewery・Kyoto
Another new one in Kyoto
ディレイラブリューワークス / Derailleur Brew Works
Never heard of this brewery before the festival. Located in
the Nishinari section of Osaka city.
Derailleur In the Woods (Kemono Michi)
(American Strong Ale)
Fat caramel nose, with dark sugar, and hints of dark fruit.
Very dark amber color and a creamy tan head. Flavors of caramel and rather
harsh bitterness. Not much else. Rough, overall, with somewhat rasty mouthfeel.
Derailleur Nishinari Riot Ale
(American Pale Ale)
Nose is mostly caramel. Thick hazy copper color, fluffy tan
head. Caramel flavor, with a mild but persistent bitterness, and thin bitter
tracks. Kind of fades after mid palate. Not so good, overall. Love the name and
the spirit behind it.
Golden Rabbit
A brewery from Nara, with an intriguing name.
ブリューパブ テタールヴァレ&センターポイント
Brewpub Têtard Vallée & Center Point
Osaka-based brewpub
京都町家麦酒 / Kyoto Machiya Beer
國乃長ビール / Kuninocho Beer
One of the oldest craft breweries, along with Minoh, in
Osaka.
ボイジャーブルーイング / Voyager Brewing
Newish (two years?) brewery in Wakayama
箕面ビール / Minoh Beer
The only Minoh beer I wanted to try (Blooming IPA) was not
being served the day I went.
Finally, near the end of the day, we heard an unusual sound coming from the entertainment stage at one end of the venue. Country music! We went to check it out, and saw a young woman singing to recorded background music (something like professional karaoke). She had a twang in her voice and all the right moves, too. Chatting with her after her show, we found that she has already put out 10 CDs, most of which she recorded in Branson, Missouri.
Uchida Aya is a very talented singer and devoted to the hybrid genre which she calls J-Country. She performs occasionally throughout Japan. Here is her Official Website, which has a few YouTube clips.
Overall, it was a satisfying day. I was able to sample new
beers by some of the better Kansai-area breweries and also check out the new
kids on the block. I wish I had been able to get to more of them, but one day
was enough.
