Nagoya's Super Secret Gaijin Beer Drinking Spot

There's a place I know in downtown Nagoya (Sakae) called the Super Secret Gaijin Beer Drinking Spot. It happens to be located near the Spirit's liquor shop, which usually stocks a wide variety of jibeers and good imports. It's a great place to have some street beers with friends, and just pass the time amidst the hustle and bustle of the big city.


Of course, the atmosphere is helped by some Kinshachi IPA and Imperial Chocolate Stouts. Not the best in Japan, nor the cheapest...but still good!

No, the beer WASN'T on sale...

It's also a place you can go to drink beer while your fiance takes your credit card shopping to the many stores of Sakae. That's usually my situation.

Japanese Inaka Breakfast

Believe it or not, the term "Kentucky Breakfast" was around long before Founders brewed up Kentucky Breakfast Stout, now KBS.

True Kentuckians will know a true Kentucky Breakfast is just a couple of shots of bourbon in the morning. That will start your day off right.

Many don't know of the Japanese Inaka Breakfast, though. It's simple really. Some 2010 Baird Beer's Morning Coffee Stout, and some Hachi-no-ko, or stewed up bees and larvae.

Yummy!

* Remember to post some questions for James Watt of Brewdog in the post below!

The Emperor Penguin Will Return!

It's been just over a year since we did our first interview, and since then we have been lucky to have some of the biggest names in beer stop in to answer some questions.

What better way to celebrate than to go back to the beginning?

The Emperor Penguin himself, James Watt, has agreed to another interview with us. It's perfect timing with Brewdog all over the news these days with their high ABV beers.

He wants to answer your questions.... Post away with your probing questions in the comments, and I'll send them on to James.

Please, no questions involing killing puppies or kittens or the price of tea in China.
Eh, nevermind. Chuwy, ask away.

The Biggest thing to hit the Japanese Craft Beer Scene

Image from BeerinJapan.com

If you are a craft beer fan in Japan, you HAVE to download the new apple iPhone and iPod Touch app, Tokyo's Best Craft Beer Bars by Beer in Japan. You can read about the app on BEER IN JAPAN here.

This is going to be a bold statement, but I feel confident in making it. This new application is the biggest thing to come to foreign beer drinkers in Japan. I didn't qualify that. This application has the potential to help many people (tourists, people living in Japan, businessmen) have greater access to Japanese craft beer bars.

Don't take my word for it. Take Charlie Papazian's, perhaps one of top five most famous beer guys on the planet. Mr. Papazian is no stranger to the Japanese beer market (he even did an interview with us!) and he is not shy about heaping praise on Beer in Japan's app.

This app does not require that you have an internet or a 3G connection. It allows you to access information, reviews, and maps WITHOUT staying connected. That's a lifesaver in Tokyo and other parts of Japan where wireless is neither abundant nor free in many parts of Japan.

OK, here comes the catch, right? How much will you have to shell out for this app???? WRONG. The app is FREE and the only purpose of its creation was to help people like you and me find great places to try good Japanese craft beer.

I have long said that people in the craft beer world, not only in Japan, are the best people on the planet. More often than not, fans of craft beer are all to happy and willing to share their knowledge and passion about beer with others, free of charge.

I am friends with the creator of this app, and I know first hand of his knowledge and passion for great beer in Japan. Do yourself a favor and download it. The next time you are in Tokyo and can't remember where that one bar is....you will thank me. And if I know Beer in Japan...there will be more updates soon that will only make this app more useful!

Eight hours 'till Freedom.

Just to show you that even Country Boys clean up every once in a while....

I've got a busy weekend ahead of me. Well, maybe I should use a different word. 'Busy' gives you the impression that I will be running errands and doing paperwork, which is clearly not the case.


Tonight will be another gathering of the inaka boys at my place here in Toei. Usually these nights involved whichever one of the Big 4 is in stock at the store, yakiniku, and a visit to the local bar. I know, you are already jealous.


Tomorrow I'm heading into Nagoya for the quarterly Asahi Factory Tour and 'shopping' with the fiance. We are going to hit up Keg Nagoya before we come home...so if you are in the Nagoya area--hit me up!



Sunday is the annual spring sake festival at my buddy Shutaro's Iseyashuzo in Toyohashi. Lot's of folks, lot's of food, and lot's of free sake. Should be a good time.



The Olympics are dominating the TV these days, anyone out there watching? Anyone out there agree that curling is the most ridiculous sport ever created in the history of the world? I think that beer can smashing would be much more fun to watch.

Kinshachi White Beer 2010

Available starting tomorrow (2/18/2010) you can order some of Kinshachi's White Beer. I admit that this 5% Mild was not my favorite of their beers last year, but for those who wish to stay away from the higher alcohol and fuller tasting brews, this one might be for you! You should also be able to find it in Nagoya at all Seijo-Ishii's and Spirit's, and on tap at Beer Circus. Also, I'm sure it will find it's way to Tokyo in the near future!

Baird Beer E-Shop

I remember when I first discovered that I could buy Japanese craft beer online and have it shipped to my house. Now, I know it sounds like a simple idea, but I must admit, when I first came here--I had no idea that it was possible. Most likely this stems from the fact that it is illegal to ship/mail alcohol in the US. It is also illegal for a brewer to sell beer directly to a consumer. Due to the genius system we have in America (tongue explodes through cheek), breweries in the US must first sell to a distributer who then can sell to a retailer. I know, makes sense.

Here in Japan, however, this is not the case. There are several sites where you can purchase many different kinds of Japanese craft beer and have it shipped directly to your door. Sites like Goodbeer.jp have many great styles to choose from, at competitive prices.

However, for the non-kanji reading lot of you out there, you are fresh out of luck. Most of these sites are 100% in Japanese and require you to create a profile that is also in Japanese. Addresses and such must be written in kanji, and that can be daunting for someone who has been in Japan for years, much less months.

If you are lucky enough to have a close Japanese friend to help, or if your Japanese is better than mine--you can navigate these sites and find yourself some cold beer sitting on your doorstep. If you don't though...and you live outside of Tokyo or one of the major cities of Japan...you may find yourself, through no fault of your own, stuck with Super Dry.

Enter Baird Beer's new E-Shop. After a long wait while the site was very well designed, the E-Shop is up and running. True to Baird Beer's love and passion for making great beer and making it accessible to all people here in Japan, the E-shop is available in English and Japanese.

Even if you don't speak a word of Japanese, the E-Shop allows you to access the finest craft beer that Japanese has to offer. Just to make sure I wasn't blowing smoke, on Sunday I ordered TWO cases of 633ml bottles from Baird. One mixed case of seasonals, and one case of Dark Sky Imperial Stout. Using the E-Shop and paying with PayPal, I had my beers ordered in 3 minutes.

After you create a simple profile (a one time deal), you can make your selection and choose your form of payment. You can pay via PayPal, Bank Transfer, or COD. For those of you that have an existing PayPal account, payment is super easy. To pay via bank transfer is also easy if you have a bank account here in Japan. You can pay from any ATM, and if you visit an ATM at a post office or bank, an attendant can help you the first time around. It is surprisingly easy. If you pay via bank transfer, your beers won't ship until Baird receives your payment. Paying via COD is also possible, but not ideal for me, since I am not always certain when I will be home and when I will be out on the town! But, if you don't have a bank account here, it is an option that makes these great beers accessible to you!

I have been assured by the brewers at Baird that they ship from Hokkaido to Okinawa and all of the small islands and hamlets in between. However, they only ship in Japan. (Maybe one day Kentucky!)

If you read me ranting and raving about Baird Beer but have never tried it, the E-Shop is for you. Beers are very reasonably priced (Think 350 yen for a 633ml of 5% bland Super Dry compared to ~1000 yen for 633ml of 10% hand-craft-brewed-with-care-delicious Barley wine) and they offer a wide selection for all beer fans.

Order some now, you won't be disappointed!!!!

See, now this is just a bit childish...

It looks like the boys at Brewdog are getting into a bit of a wiener showing contest, to use a Kentuckism. Brewdog unveiled Tactical Nuclear Penguin (32% FREEZE DISTILLED) to much fanfare and hype. They basked in their glory for only a short while though, as a German Brewery announced a 40% brew. Brewdog was crushed, until yesterday, when they announced their 41% (Yes, you read that right) Sink the Bismarck! (Of course, this beer was being made before the German one came out...but the timing just makes it seem like keeping up with the Joneses...errr.....VonWolfhousens.

To some, having the title of "Strongest Beer in the World" is perhaps the most important thing in the world. (Although, I must point out, what these breweries are calling "beer" is somewhat of a stretch. It is freeze distilled (Fractional Freezing), which means this is not technically a beer anymore...)

The video is pretty funny though.... and they are pushing the envelope. Were there haters when Dogfish released (releases!) some of their high ABV crazy beers? You bet. For sure don't want to be a hater, and I want to let the Brewdog boys do their thing. But for now, a 10% IPA is good for me....

*UPDATE: Here is James' take on BeerAdvocate. It's a good read.

Sink the Bismarck! from BrewDog on Vimeo.

Ise Kadoya Imperial India Pale Ale: Revisited

I owe this amazing beer experience to Beerkat, a good friend in on the beer scene in Tokyo. While some friends were visiting the brewery in Ise a few weeks ago, she managed to pick up a bottle for me to try. What a gal, I tell ya.

Number 165 of 610!!! Limited Edition for sure!

I was super excited to try this beer, since the first edition sold out in a day, and this one ended up selling out in less than a week. Ise Kadoya makes some great beers, and recently their quality has gotten better as they have ventured into the "bigger" beers.

Now that's a tasty brew!

My fiance and I were relaxing at my place up in the mountains when I popped this bad boy open. I was in the process of baking a pizza and grilling up some nankotsu (chicken cartilage), and what better food to pair this hop monster with? It poured a beautiful color and just filled the room with hops. OK, so the room is really small-but you catch my drift.



I couldn't put my finger on the exact taste of this IPA. It's unique, and GOOD. This beer claims to use "10 Different Hops at 120 Different Intervals" and to come in at 9% and I don't argue with that one bit. The aftertaste was a bit earthy (I hate to use words like that, but it's all I could think of) and reminded me of some of the simcoe hopped beers I have had in the past.



I won't bore you with tons of big words and made up tastes, and I will just say that this beer is GOOD. Really Good. By far this is one of my TOP 5 BEERS in Japan.

Michi loves it!

Of course, if you didn't get to try it, you will have to take my word for it--as it is gone.

Narihiro and Masakazu---bring on some more of this kind of brew!!! 5 stars!!!

Oh yeah, and the pizza was Delicious.

Seasonal Release: Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2010

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Winter is a time of hibernation for many species. The Barley Wine style of beer is not one of these. Winter is the season that this big bear of the beer world comes out to play. Baird Ganko Oyaji (”Stubborn Ol’ Man) Barley Wine 2010 is being released from his cellar cave on Saturday, February 13.

Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2010 (ABV 10%):

Brewed in July 2009 and packaged upon krausening in August, Ganko Oyaji 2010 sports a grist bill consisting of floor-malted Maris Otter, Munich and Crystal malts and 10% Japanese red (akato) sugar. The starting gravity is high (25.3 Plato), the apparent attenuation is good and thus the alcohol content is potent. 65 BUs of all American hops, and dry-hopping with a combination of Columbus, Centennial and Amarillo, beautifully balance the malt richness. Ganko Oyaji is an ideal after-dinner or before bed restorative. It promises to condition nicely in the bottle and keg for months and years to come.

Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2010 will be available on draught at all of our Taproom pubs and other Baird Beer retailing restaurants beginning Saturday, February 13. Bottles (633 ml) can be purchased direct from our brewery E-Shop and through the fine family of Baird Beer retailing liquor shops in Japan beginning the same day.

Vertical tastings for three successive years of Ganko Oyaji (2008 – 2010) are possible at two of our Taprooms: Nakameguro and Numazu Fishmarket. Finally, don’t forget the Big Beer Winter Week celebration now underway at our Nakameguro Taproom. An extraordinary selection of both American and Baird strong ales are being poured and celebrated for an entire week. The special cuisine is terrific too. The event runs through Friday, February 19.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Foggy Friday.

Why couldn't we have moved the holiday to Friday, and made a long weekend? A holiday on a Thursday is always welcomed, but it just doesn't have the feel of the good 'ole three day weekend.

I had Ise Kadoya's Imperial IPA last night. It was good. It was really good. Am I ready to crown it as one of my top 5 beers in Japan? YOU BET. Pics coming soon.


Some news:

The Real Ale Festival is coming to Tokyo on Feb.14th. The beer list looks amazing! They will have Isekadoya's Imperial IPA. I'm jealous. I'll be snowboarding.

There is a Beers for Books event at Craftheads in Shibuya on March 13th. I've never been there, but they have some good beers. Bring your wallet.


Enjoy your Friday!

Aloha Baird Beer!

Just got an email from my good buddy Nick who is now living in Hawaii. He was happy to find some Baird Beer at his local store!

"I am a Craft Brewer"- From Poland!

And the Movement keeps growing:

Inaka update and Links!

Come on, if you've get served three-foot long cow intestines, what would you do?

Since no one (read: my boss) accepted my decree that Monday would be pushed back to Wednesday, here I sit at school today. It's been a good one so far. I'm a bit hungry, since I don't have any food left from the Inaka Weekend, and not much money. At the yakiniku dinner we got hit for a bill with 7 course meals, and 73 nama-chus. Ouch. That one hurt.

But, it was really fun.

I was super excited to find out yesterday that one of my good friends from Tokyo hooked me up with a bottle of Ise Kadoya's Imperial IPA. Yes, I am lucky, and my friends ROCK.

In Taguchi last weekend we went on a kickin' tour of the Houraisen Factory, and it was a blast. We got a behind the scenes tour, where we wore the sterile whites and all. I highly recommend taking it, if you find yourself in the inaka of Aichi. I guess you can just take my word for it.



Now, on to some news!!

It looks like Kuntory is dead. That's a real bummer, I was looking forward to seeing what they could do. Ok, not really--I just wanted the name to be Kuntory. You can read that article, but it's filled with numbers and big words and doesn't talk that much about cold beer. Kinda like a math book.

Regardless of what you think about the whale debate, these fools on the Sea Shepard are CRAZY.

Another study says that beer is healthy for you, and this time it deals with bone health. This doesn't mean that much to me, I'm still looking for the study that says 10 beers every Friday is good for you. We might be waiting a bit for that one.

The new Heinz Dip and Squeeze is quite possibly the biggest breakthrough in Ketchup in years. (Yes, that means that there haven't been many breakthroughs in the past 50 years. Seriously, if the biggest breakthrough was making a bottle that sits upside down...come on.)

Stay tuned as I am going to post the new "I am a Craft Brewer" video, this time done by homebrewers in Poland. When is the Japan one coming?

Seasonal Release - Mikan Ale; Nakameguro Taproom Big Beer Winter Week

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer enthusiast:

Today marks the 9th annual release of the first fruited ale ever brewed by Baird Beer: The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale.

The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale 2010 (ABV 6.6%):

The mikans used in this brew are fresh, succulent, and local — harvested on the Heda land and by the hand of our carpenter friend, Nagakura-san. The Baird brewers hand-process the harvested mikans, shaving off the outer skin of the peel and pressing the juice. Both peel shavings and juice are added to the brew at different stages of production. The mikans serve to add depth and complexity to an already sumptuous ale; their role is to complement, not dominate.

In addition to mikans, the 2010 Carpenter’s Mikan Ale incorporates a grain bill including Maris Otter pale ale malt, wheat malt, unmalted wheat, carapils malt and Japanese sudakito sugar. The hopping schedule features cirtrusy Centennial, Cascade and NZ Cascade varieties including dry-hop additions. The combination of mikans and citrus hops provide an exquisitely complex yet balanced fruit character. This year, for the first time, we fermented with our American ale yeast which makes the overall character somewhat crisper and more sprite.

The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale is available both on draught and in bottles (633 ml) at fine Baird Beer retailers throughout Japan. It also can be purchased direct from the brewery (beginning Monday, Feb. 11) via our new online E-shop at www.bairdbeer.com.

Speaking of fruited ales, I need to mention Second Strike Apple Ale which is being poured exclusively on draught at our Harajuku Taproom. This brisk and refreshing ale is a collaborative project with the local Harajuku company Alias. The concept and the fresh Nagano prefecture apples were provided by Alias’ own Tajima-san. Stop in for a pint while quantities last.

Nakameguro Taproom 2010 Big Beer Winter Week (Feb. 11 – Feb. 19):

Each winter we use our Taproom as a venue for a week-long celebration of strong and fortifying beers. We call this celebration Big Beer Winter Week. During this week, a collection of strong ales and lagers will be served simultaneously and paired with cuisine designed to complement these robust and warming libations. The Nakameguro Taproom will play host to this year’s Big Beer Winter Week which will kick-off at noon on Thursday, February 11 (Japan national holiday). We are partnering with American craft beer importer Nagano Trading on this year’s event and thus will be offering a full range of American big beers in addition to Baird Beer. The Big Beers on tap will include:

(a) American beers from Nagano Trading (Pint 1,100 yen; Half 800 yen):

1. Oak-aged Yeti Imperial Stout (Great Divide)
2. Old Ruffian Barley Wine (Great Divide)
3. Stone 13th Anniversary Ale (Stone)
4. Old Man Winter Ale (Southern Tier)
5. Victory at Sea Imperial Coffee Porter (Ballast Point)
6. Palate Wrecker Double IPA (Greenflash)
7. Imperial Smoked Brown Ale (Coronado)

(b) Baird Big Beers (Pint 1,000 yen; Half 700 yen):

1. Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2008
2. Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2009
3. Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2010
4. West Coast Wheat Wine 2008
5. West Coast Wheat Wine 2009
6. Dark Sky Imperial Stout 2008
7. Imperial Belgian Red Ale
8. Obatarian Strong English Ale

We have a second round of different American Big Beers ready to go as the first round sells out. Additionally, other strong Baird Beers such as Hatsujozo 2010 Belgian Black Ale, Suruga Bay Imperial IPA and Okini Old Ale will be available.

We will be selling Nakameguro Taproom Big Beer Winter Week drink cards in both pint and half-pint versions. These are pre-paid cards with 10 punches in them (5 for American Big Beers and 5 for Baird Big Beers). The cards are valid for the duration of the event (Feb. 11 through Feb. 19). The cost of the cards are: 10,000 yen (pint card) and 7,000 yen (half), respectively. Upon completion of the card, the cardholder will receive a free American style logo pint glass (compliments of Nagano Trading). Also, we will be awarding free American beer T-shirts to the first ten customers ordering beer on opening day (Thursday, Feb. 11). We open at noon that day so have your beer game-day faces ready at an early hour!

Finally, you will want to bring your appetites as well. Ishikawa-san and the kitchen staff are designing a terrific Big Beer-inpsired event food menu designed to complement and enhance this amazing selection of strong ales.

We look forward to seeing you at Nakameguro.

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

DECREE:

You can go back to bed. I'm postponing Monday until Wednesday. Until then, it will be Sunday. Enjoy, and you are welcome. Good night.

An Inaka Weekend!

This weekend is set to be a good one. I've got some friends from Nagoya coming to stay with some friends and I in the Inaka. Of course, this happens to be the same weekend that some friends from Tokyo are coming to Nagoya. Here's one to bad timing! Oh well, enjoy your red miso Tokyoites!!

We're planning on buying some stewed grasshoppers and silk worms and all of the other strange inaka food that we can find to serve the city boys. Should be fun.

I had a Baird Rainy Season last night, which was delicious. I drank a 2010 Dark Sky Imperial Stout last weekend, which was also delicious. I'm going to order another case this weekend. No Chris, I didn't drink ALL of the first one yet. There is still one left.

The Real Ale Festival is next weekend. I'll be snowboarding up in the mountains of Gifu. Anyone planning on going?

See Ya Penguin!

Well that didn't last long. Please tell me this isn't going to become a new trend. "Who can't make the strongest beer?" is the same to me as "Who can make the lightest beer?" I have no use for either.

World's NEWEST Strongest Beer (For Now.)

Baird Beer E-Shop is LIVE!

Official Opening: Baird Beer Online E-Shop

February 1, 2010

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

The wait is over; the Baird Beer online E-Shop is now officially open for business!

The Baird Beer E-Shop is actually two shops: one English and one Japanese (each can be accessed via the appropriate language section of our website). The Baird Beer E-Shop sells two things: (1) Baird Beer (both year-round and seasonal brands) and (2) Baird Beer accessory goods (T-shirts, glassware and posters). Delivery of beer and accessory goods is available only in Japan. Payment options available on the E-Shop are: (1) PayPal (via which you can use a credit card), (2) COD, and (3) bank wire transfer.

The impetus behind the building of a new Baird Beer E-Shop is the commitment we have to the following:

1. Maintenance and growth of direct sales of Baird Beer from brewery to consumer.
2. Offering an easy and pleasurable shopping experience to the ENTIRE Japan community through a completely bi-lingual format.
3. Providing consumers with purchase convenience through the selection of a diversity of simple and low-cost payment options.

Please give the new Baird Beer E-Shop a look and a try at your earliest convenience. I am sure that there remain some kinks to be worked out and we greatly appreciate both your input and understanding as we move ahead to create better and simpler access for the beer enthusiast to good craft beer in Japan.

Cheers & Yoroshiku,

Bryan Baird

"Beer Wars" goes Mainstream!

Download Beer Wars now.

If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it, both as education and entertainment. It will give you a new respect for Craft brewers and what they are doing/ already have done in the beer world. If you've seen it, feel free to comment on what you liked and didn't like. I'm going to download it to watch with some friends this weekend! You should too!

Ise Kadoya Imperial India Pale Ale

Ise Kadoya's second installment of their President's Special series looks to be something special. This time, the boys in Mie have brought us an Imperial India Pale Ale, using ten kinds of hops. Here is the descritption from The Ise Kadoya Blog (which is in English!!):

After a long and meticulous brewing process, "Imperial India Pale Ale" is now available to purchase on-line (sorry, Japanese only) or at our Biyagura shop. As I described in this blog last November, we used 10 different kinds of hops and intensively oversaw the hopping process. The alcohol content is 9% and of course, can be enjoyed now.

Or, if you can put this one in the back of your fridge and hold off drinking it for now and wait another 6 months or more, you may find it is worth the wait since the maturing process, we think, will really smooth this one out. That’s a tall order, I know, so if you are going to wait, I can only wish you good luck! The supply is VERY limited, so please order from our online store or please visit our Biyagura shop in the coming week. If the President's Special Number 1 is any indication, President's Special Number 2 WILL NOT last long. We hope you like this one—we really do! Cheers, Narihiro


If you want to try this one out, you better hurry! I don't expect it to be around for long. The first President's Special sold out in a day!