Two New Breweries

Bay Brewing Yokohama 

Bay Brewing Yokohama will hold a Brewery Opening Festival at BankART1929 Studio NYK on Sunday, March 25, 2012 from 2:00pm until 7:00pm. For more information, visit their web site.

Brimmer Brewing

This new brewery in Kawasaki recently posted about their first brew, and sales should begin soon. Visit the brewery web site in English or 日本語 for more information

Gotemba Kogen Beer at an Izakaya

Went with a friend to a chain izakaya pub called Hana no Mai the other night. He likes to get the nomihodai (all-you-can-drink) specials, and so we started in with mugs of Kirin Ichiban Shibori.

At most Japanese pubs, the range of alcoholic drinks available is impressive – many varieties of sake, whiskey, cocktails, wine, and even umeshu (plum wine) – but they generally have only one type of beer. However, we noticed that the menu at this place included something called “chilled beer,” – a kind of oxymoron in Japan, since most beer is served at just above the freezing point. But the fine print indicated that this beer was from the Gotemba Kogen brewery.

Well, we ordered some, and it was indeed chilled. In fact, almost too cold to drink. But after it had a chance to warm up, we could clearly detect some fruity notes that do not normally accompany Japanese mass-market lagers.

I couldn’t determine the exact name of the beer, but I’m assuming it was the newish Koshihikari Lager featured on the Gotemba Kogen website.

It was nothing really special, mind you, but perhaps we are seeing an inkling of a new market opportunity for Japanese craft brewers. If they can gain a tiny foothold into the world of izakaya chains, who knows where they might appear next?

Wish List for 2012

This year is on its way out, and I'd like to offer a few mild wishes concerning the Kansai (and nationwide, really) craft beer scene in the next. Not that they will be granted, or perhaps even heard, but all the same.

• The continuing success of the wonderful craft beer bars we have and perhaps the opening of a few more

• Better craft beer festivals

• The opening of a Baird Tap Room in Osaka or Kyoto

• A few more good bottle shops, similar to and more conveniently located than Asahiya (Moriguchi), Otsuki (Osaka), and Yamaoka (Kyoto)
  

• Lowering of the tax rate on beer, which would greatly help craft brewers throughout the nation

• The publication of Lefty's nearly completed guide to Japanese beer

• The further publication of Japan Beer Times, now eight issues strong (slogan: Bad Beer is the Enemy / 美味しくないビールは世の中の敵です)

• And finally, better business for the better breweries

"Brew-a-Day" at Baird Beer

A couple of months ago, Chris Poel, of Baird Beer, took us through a detailed look at the myriad jobs (big and small and minute) that a team of hard-working craft beer brewers do during a typical week.

This month he gives us a day-by-day accounting of each and every batch that Baird Beer created during November. It's full of fascinating information about each brew they made, including ingredients, process, and the eventual destination of the beer.

Have a look:

Brew-a-Day November, part 1

Brew-a-Day November, part 2

Brew-a-Day November, part 3

 

Japanese Beer Trends & Marketing

Here's an entertaining look at beer trends in Japan. A slide show about the production and consumption of beer (by brand, age, and more) up to 2010. On view are the market shares as well as the marketing strategies of the four major producers: Kirin, Asahi, Suntory, and Sapporo.

Some highlights:

- Tokyoites consumed the most beer -- 87.4 bottles (55.4 liters) -- per person
   in the nation.
- In 2008, Japan ranked 39th in the world for beer consumption
   (at  47.9 liters per person), way behind the world leader,
   the Czech Republic (149.9 liters)
- Everyday drinking increases with consistently with age, from 14.3% of
   people in their 20s to 53.4% of people in their 60s
- Market shares by producer:
1) Beer: Asahi 49.6%
              Kirin 27.3%
              Sapporo 15.4%
              Suntory 7.6%

2) Low-malt beer (happoshu):
              Kirin 61.2%
              Asahi 25.2%
              Suntory 9.4%
              Sapporo 4.3%

3) No-malt beer (daisan biiru):
              Kirin 42.8%
              Suntory 22.6%
              Asahi 20.1%
              Sapporo 14.6%

Marketing
Kirin sponsors the Japanese national soccer team and organizes the Kirin Cup (international soccer tournament).
Asahi attempts to connect with music fans though sponsoring concerts. Also sponsors the World Baseball Classic.
Suntory has its own classical music hall and uses top rock stars in its advertising. Also sponsors golf tournaments and has its own rugby team.
Sapporo uses a variety of famous athletes and celebrities in both television and Internet ad campaigns. Also sponsors the Hakone Ekiden (relay race).

Sampling Session – November 12, 2011

Yet another great sampling session, this time with probably the strongest selection of beers we’ve ever had and the highest overall ratings as well. The majority of the beers were in the abt/quadruple category. These are very strong, tending to around 10% alc, and very malty, fragrant, and fruity. We had a few Belgian strong ales in the mix.

The tasting session was a blind one. Only one participant, who poured the beers in flights of three beers at a time, knew exactly what we were drinking, and he didn’t let on until all of us had rated and described them.

The three highest rated beers were, not surprisingly, from three breweries that pioneered the style: Rochefort, St. Bernardus, and La Trappe.

One disappointment was the Westvleteren 12, a hard-to-find beer, that is regarded as one of the best in the world. Our bottle was around eight years-old and had oxidized too much.

The Achel Extra Bruin, however, held up amazingly well for a six year-old brew.

Chimay Blue would probably have gotten higher ratings, except that it was served alongside the La Trappe Quad and the Achel.

Near the end of the evening, we took it easy with two pale lagers, one from Tibet and the other from India, to accompany a restorative beef stew.

Whew!

Average Ratings: High-to-Low  (50 points possible – five raters)

46.4     Rochefort Trappistes 10 2008 (Abt/Quad) 11.3%

44        St. Bernardus Abt 12  2008 (Abt/Quad) 10%

41.4     La Trappe Quadrupel  2008-09 (Abt/Quad) 10%

40.6     Achel Extra Bruin  2005 (Abt/Quad) 9.5%

39.4     Westvleteren 12  2003 (Abt/Quad) 10.3%

39        BrewDog Abstrakt AB:01  (Abt/Quad) 10.2%

38.6     Brugse Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel  (Abt/Quad) 11%

38.2     Struise St. Amatus - Oostvleteren 12  2010 (Abt/Quad) 10.5%

37.2     Abbaye des Rocs Grand Cru  (Belgian Strong Ale)  9.5%

37.2     Gouden Carolus Classic  (Belgian Strong Ale) 8.5%

36.4     The Lost Abbey Judgment Day  2009 (Abt/Quad) 10.5%

36        Grimbergen Optimo Bruno  2006 (Abt/Quad) 10%

35.8     La Trappe Quadrupel Oak Aged Batch #1  (Abt/Quad) 10%

34.6     Allagash Four  2009 (Abt/Quad) 10%

34.6     Ommegang Three Philosophers  2007 (Abt/Quad) 9.8%

34.4     Urthel Samaranth  2010 (Abt/Quad) 11.5%

32.8     Weyerbacher Quad  (Abt/Quad) 11.8%

32.4     Chimay Blue  (Belgian Strong Ale)  9%

31.8     Boulevard Sixth Glass Quadrupel  (Abt/Quad) 10.5%

21        Golden Eagle Lager  (Pale Lager) 5%

NR      Tibet Green Barley 10°P  (Pale Lager) 5%

           

Sampling Session -- October 8, 2011

Another superb sampling session at Lefty’s place in the hills above Kyoto. Twenty-one beers, great early autumn weather, and a party-crashing hornet made it a memorable day.

Two of the more unusual beers were from New Glarus: 1) Raspberry Tart and 2) Wisconsin Belgian Red. I had picked these up on a summer day trip with my daughter from the Twin Cities to a pizza farm in Wisconsin (no, they don’t farm pizzas – but rather make them with fresh ingredients they raise). I found these bottles in a gift shop located in the tiny town of Stockholm, WI (pop. 100) and brought them back to Japan. The Raspberry Tart offered a strong pie-like and jam aroma. It blended sweetness and tartness unlike any beer I’ve ever had. In fact, Lefty commented that it was really not at all like beer. The Wisconsin Belgian Red was redolent of cherry cough drops with touches of menthol, pomegranate, and cinnamon. Lefty found it reminiscent of a Kriek. Again, not quite like a beer, but truly delicious.

Jolly Pumpkin’s beautiful gold Bam Bière saison - 4.5%) was refreshing and and complex. Funky with a Brett yeast character and a dusty lemony aroma. It held subtle citrus and herbal grassy flavors. This was apparently enough to attract attention from an Asian giant hornet, which dove in, swam around, and slowly expired. These are dangerous insects, and we kept our distance.

The real treat of the day was a blind sampling of four vintages of Orval. The highest average rating was for the 2007 version, with 2008 and 2010 coming in second – with exactly the same average scores –, and two bottles of 2011 (served at different times, as a sort of control) third. All were great, and it’s clear that this beer ages well.

Deschutes The Dissident (2008) featured a somewhat lactic attack of red berry and yeast (some Brett nuance) and dirty, dusty cherry flavors

BrewDog Abstrakt AB:03 had aromas of dry strawberry and raspberry with intense dry berry and bitter wood flavors Lefty felt it was strange and even somewhat abusive, with an interesting strong fume finish

Brooklyn Sorachi Ace’s aroma was of varnish tempered by cocoanut butter. It was very sweet, with honey and lemon. The mouth feel was soft and smooth.

Average Ratings: High to Low (50 points possible - three raters)

42.33   Orval 2007 (Belgian Ale) 6.2%

42        Orval 2008 (Belgian Ale) 6.2%

42        Orval 2010 (Belgian Ale) 6.2%

41.66   New Glarus Wisconsin Belgian Red (Fruit Beer) 4%

41.33   Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere (Saison) 4.5%

40.66   Deschutes The Dissident (Sour Ale/Wild Ale) 10.5%

40.66   Surly Furious (IPA) 6.2%

39.33   Brooklyn Sorachi Ace (Saison) 7.6%

39        Founders Devil Dancer Triple IPA (Imperial/Double IPA) 12%

38.66   BrewDog Abstrakt AB:03 (Fruit Beer) 11%

38.66   New Glarus Raspberry Tart (Fruit Beer) 4%

38.66   Orval 2011(Belgian Ale) 6.2%

38.66   Orval 2011(Belgian Ale) 6.2%

38        21st Amendment Hop Crisis! (Imperial/Double IPA) 9.7%

36        Tallgrass Oasis (ESB) 7.2%

34        Green Flash Grand Cru (Belgian Strong Ale) 9.1%

33        Revelation Cat Woodwork Series Reference (Imperial/Double IPA) 11%

32.33   Caldera Kettle Series Vas Deferens Ale (Belgian Strong Ale) 8.1%

32.33   Cigar City White Oak Jai Alai (IPA) 7.5%

32        21st Amendment Brew Free or Die IPA (IPA) 7%

26        Duibusson Bush Amber