Friday night of Grande Biere I ran into Phred Kaufmann, importer of Rogue and seller of Ezo Beer in Japan. I just had long enough to spit out my name and blog and get his card for a later interview. No time, no time between volunteering and drinking. If the interview is any hint, he is a man of not so many words. Of course I don't know him personally, but he does bring some fine beer into Japan. I stole the superhero-esque moving image off his websiste but when I put it into the blog it copied itself the many times you see above. I know not much about computers so I am leaving it like that. It's kinda funny. You can check out Phred and his wares at www.ezo-beer.com.
1. Now you live in Japan. Where do live, where are you from originally, and how did you get here?
Sapporo, L.A. Plane
2. How did you start in the importing business and how long have you been doing it?
Wanted better beer for my bar (30 next year) 15 years
3. What products (specifically beer) does your company import?
Rogue, Nogne, Silenruix, Mikkeler, Haand Bryggeriet, Heather Ale, Schelde Brouwerij
4. If I wanted your imported beer in my local liquor store, what would I have to do?
Harass the owner until he relents.
5. In the whole wide world of beer, what are your five favorite beers, in no particular order?
five is way too low a number
6. What is your favorite Japanese food?
Whatever is in season 5 A.M. in a Susukino Izakaya
7. From seeing your caricature on your namecard and in real life, you have a trademark beard. Do you have any advice for people looking to grow a beard? Any tips on beard maintenance?
If I was into maintenance I wouldn't have a beard.
8. What do you think about the state of craft beer in Japan now and its future?
it's getting better the crap on tap is disappearing.
Thank you Phred for the entertaining, and to the point, interview.
5 comments:
Wow! I even read the post you wrote fast, and on the edge of my seat, all tense. You captured the atmosphere.
that pic rminds me of monkey island...great old game. BTW Phred you're not in high school anymore...one word answers don't cut it and aern't cool (especially if ur phred's age).I guess we should thank him for Rogue,Mikkeller and Nogne though...
I think Phred has been around a while and has done and seen a lot so maybe he get's 'to the point' a bit when he's at such places. Whenever I see him in Popeyes or at beer events he doesn't seem to have much time to himself. Everyone either wants to say hi or ask his opinion on something. As long as you don't ask him to be Santa for the kids' Christmas party, the worst you'll likely get is a quick curt reply then 'poof' - he's gone. I had the good luck for both he and Tim M to call me a bloody twat. That was nice of them. I hadn't even said anything. I hope and pray before I go to bed at night that it was all in jest. To be fair, Tim started it.
Also, consumer wise, he's really been pulling out the stops, lately. Some amazing imports, Phred! Keep it up! Do we have a fantastic 'import beer' arms race on our hands, ladies and gentlemen?
Perhaps Phred was still reeling from his (lack of) reception at Thrash Zone in Yokohama, whose proprietor, in rebuffing his offerings, strongly suggested that he was keglegging some beers into Japan for which he was not specifically authorized.
(It was in somebody's blog. I shall keep looking.)
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