Ginga Kogen Goes to America!

Wait a minute there's something funny about that bottle of Ginga Kogen. What is it? It says, "Imported: Product of Japan"?

Friends in America, you guessed it. Ginga Kogen is taking the plunge and starting to export its beers to the US of A. Not long ago this company was the ruler of all the microbreweries in Japan, until it fell from grace. After restructuring, Ginga Kogen resurfaced and is making some good brews. Their Weizen is second to none. Now they have decided to send this weizen to the craft beer loving folk in America. How will it fare?

For starters this beer has a eye catching power. It has a cool blue bottle that is unique and inviting. The label is well made and has English and Japanese, which I think is a huge plus. People who have never heard of this beer will find it more exotic when they see the Japanese on the label.

The label reads Ginga Kogen Beer, Premium Unfiltered Beer. That it is. I cracked this bad boy open and poured a glass of the cloudy goodness. The style isn't listed on the bottle, but that Ginga Kogen fruity, malty goodness speaks for itself. This Hefeweizen is one of the best in Japan, bar none. The wheat malt in this beer is easily detectable without being over the top. This is a well made, very very drinkable beer. On a warm summer afternoon, I can't think of a beer that I'd rather have.

The bottle of the bottle has a thin layer of sediment showcasing the fact that yes, this beer is unfiltered. I took a sip and tilted the bottle so I could get a closer look at the sediment. When I did so, I managed to choke myself on the sip of beer I had just taken, and then proceeded to spit beer all over my computer screen. Clearly that was my fault, and not a slam on this beer.

The back of the label tells us that Ginga Kogen Beer (is) --The Plateau of the Galaxy. The website tells me that this is the definition of Ginga Kogen. I'm still not sure what that really means. This beer is brewed and bottled by Higashi Nihon Sawauchi Sougoukaihatsu Co., LTD Iwate, Japan.

I think Ginga Kogen has a chance to do well in America. They do face some stiff competition there, but the fact that they are making a good product and have the import mystique is to their advantage. I'm curious how much this beer will cost in the US, especially since it is only a 10.1 fl. oz. bottle. My penny pinching friends will automatically notice that they are getting less than a normal bottle, but as long as the price isn't too steep, the taste of this beer will silence all grievances.

Good Luck Ginga Kogen! Bon Voyage to America! For those of you in the US reading this, ask your local liquor store how you can get this beer. I would assume that this beer is heading to the West and East Coasts first, and that smaller markets won't see hide nor hair of this brew. Still, it never hurts to ask. Ask your local shop or bar if they can get this beer, and of course--tell 'em you heard about it via The Good Beer Country Boys.

Many thanks to Kazuumi Tsutsui-san of Ginga Kogen Beer for letting us get a sneak peek at this beer before it left for America!