Few events this week/next week

I'll try to update this post as I find out about more events, leading up to Christmas.

So far, off the top of my alcoholic brain damaged head...

FRIDAY (today!): A few people are joinging in on a Tokyo Beer Meet Up pub crawl in Yokohama, starting from Thrash Zone at 6:30. Just bring 200yen for the organiser, Marco and come and join in and enjoy the fun. His Beer Meet Up group is fun and has regular meet ups at Craft Beer bars across Yokyo/Yokohama. Yokohama is a great place to pub crawl, too.
Note the new location for Thrash Zone, over the other side of the road, away from the station and close to the Lawson (just past it and to the right, walking from the station).

SATURDAY & SUNDAY: Devilcraft will be having a very special Maui brewing event featuring of some very special Maui brewing beers (many which are coming to Japan for the first time and some are quite special indeed). This is fast becoming a very cool place to hang out at and drink a great selection of Japanese and imported craft beer in great condition. They also have kick ass Chicago style pizza. On Sat/Sun, for the Maui event, they are having a special offer each day, 5,000yen gets you 5 pints PLUS the first 24 customers get a free Maui glass. Plus if you finish the card, there's a chance to win prizes in a special raffle, later on.

The event is from 3-11pm Sat, 12-9pm Sun and reservations are recommended (those tables might go fast but they do have a few floors!). you might see me at the bar, early(ish) on Sat.

SUNDAY: The grand opening of Good Beer Faucets, in Shibuya. 40 plus taps, 3 hand pumps, lots of Japanese and imported craft plus guaranteed to have great food, seeing as Dede Brim is overseeing things. See you there! Open from 5pm.

MONDAY: A new craft beer pub wil open. Yes, another one! This one is the brainchild of a certain green mohican haired bagpipe player. If you've been to Aoki san's Real Ale Festivals, then you know who I mean!

The guy loves Brewdog and has stated that he wants to open his own bar in Japan and serve Brewdog beer - well, he's done it.

The Royal Scotsman is open for business in Shunjuku from Monday. Reportedly they'll have at least 4 taps of craft (plus Guinness!), featuring Brewdog of Sctoland, Preston of Japan and others and 3 whisky kegs! Yes, the guys love whisky too. I'll check the place out early on and report back.

Opening hours are Tue - Sat:15:00-03:00 & Sun:15:00-00:00. Normally closed on Mondays.

Thrash Zone is Dead. Long live Thrash Zone!

Yes, the Thrash Zone as we knew and loved it is no more.

However, despair not, fellow hop head metal freak nuts bananas bonkers boozers!

There is a new Thrash zone.

It opened yesterday, December 1st.

It's bigger, longer, wider, harder. Satisfaction guaranteed.

I was surfing the web when I noticed my good friend Captain Tugwash had posted a pic of the place.

Well, then I just had to rush on down there, at 11pm and check it out myself!

Here are a few pics of the place:

The front, as you enter thru a small glass sliding door (easy to walk straight past it!)

As you can tell, the place is a lot bigger. Two t three times bigger. It's also wider, meaning you can go from front to back of the bar easy(er!).

He has 7 taps right now, with the option and space to add a lot more later on. The place is still undergoing construction and will just get better but right now, with the smell of fresh paint, big screen TVs resting on the floor, just a few taps and a load of happy metal freaking craft beer drinking lunatics, it's already started off in a great way.

Be prepared for a whole new Thrash Zone that still retains the essence of the old but brings in the extra oomph of the new!

It certainly offers something different from the other craft beer bars. Loud music, energetic regulars and always a warm welcome. This could be another classic craft beer bar.

I think this pic matches the atmosphere in there:

Gotta luv it.

The beer qulaity is very, very good.

Very friendly place. Don't be put off by the Thrash metal connections, everyone is friendly here.

Their main bar is a great long front bar. It goes on like one of those long bars that feature in Western movies. I just want to slide my pint down to the end...

Koichi san does a great job as usual in pouring the perfect pint.

Here is an example of the Thrash Zone pint. Almost no head. Filled to the brim.

Fantastic.

The bar also bends around to the right, at the far end. This offers up more bar space and leads to the toilets. Great bar.

Definitely recommended. They are still adding to the beer and it is nowhere near finished but go there and grab a pint and savour the atmosphere.

Map is here, on the website.

Thrash Zone

Click on the link at the centre of the box.

It's located right opposite the Lawsons, the other side from the main road. Look for the first floor glass sliding door and the small Thrash zone sign.

Sorry, that's all the info for now. Late for boozing! Will write more when I have time. Rock on!

New posts on the way!!

Got lots to do.

Hope to post more stuff about events, beers I'm tasting at home, Beers I'm making at home and lots of other... ...stuff.

Will be getting off my ever fatter arse and will start posting soon.

It's been a while..again

Many of you may know about the terrible devastation the earthquake and tsunami put on Northern Japan recently. The after effects are on going. People are without food or shelter.
The nuclear situation is also ongoing.

Many people have left Tokyo in fear of possible radiation and constant after shocks.

Me, I'll be leaving Tokyo soon, but for a different reason.
Beer.
Lots and lots of beer.
LOTS of beer.

It's actually got me concerned.

I'm leaving Japan in about 9 hours.
I'll first fly to Seattle.
1 day there. I'm aiming at hitting most of the best bars and breweries, if I can!
Then it's train to Portland and meeting up with Red, a friend who visits Japan regularly and likes his booze himself!
We'll be hitting most of the best spots on Portland!
Then it's fly to San Francisco and hit the Craft Brewers' conference!
I got in!
As a member of the press!!
I'll be covering the conference on behalf of the Japan Beer times.
I just gotta make sure I pay attention and not get shitfaced - too much.
I'll be hopefully attending the more technical lectures on brewing and brewing techniques.
I'll do my best to take some good pics and do a decent write up fo the conference.

This is a last chance shout out to you guys to give me any questions you'd like to ask anyone at the conference.
I'm hoping I'll meet Charlie Parmesan or Jamil the ZanyChef.

Looking forward to some kick ass beer and some really interesting people.
I'll be back in about 2 weeks.
Okay, gimme your questions!
I 'll try my best to get them answered.

Sneak preview of Chuck's meat!

'Chuck', the BBQ pitmaster and manager of the new Yokohama Bashamichi Taproom, gave me permission to put up a pic of his meat.

Without further delicious ado, here is Chuck's meat in all it's succulent, mouthwatering glory:

I'm betting, come the grand opening of the new Taproom on Saturday (12pm-12am), there will be many a hungry fellow just dying to get Chuck's moist, succulent meat down their throats, accompanied by his special secret sweet & spicy hot sauce - just don't get any in your eyes.

I tried Chuck's meat and yes, it is very, very nice.

I love that sauce. I think there will be three special homemade sauces. for me, this one is my favourite. Sweet, spicy, warming.

As for the beer side of things, well, the kegs are in place and I've seen them and all I'll say is that the line up is looking good.

There should be a style and a beer for everyone's tastes.

If you don't know where it is, here is the google map I posted in my last post (it also includes the best craft choices in the Yokohama city area:

View Yokohama area craft beer (best of) in a larger map

In case some are wondering, based on my facebook, twitter and now these last 2 posts, no, this is NOT a paid for Baird advertisement or commercial.

It IS however, the ravings of a craft beer nut, who is really excited about this new bar.

REALLY EXCITED.

Maybe see you there this Saturday, 15th Jan. We can discuss any insanity over a 1.8L Chuwy pint (comes with a convenient handle on the side!).

p.s. don't forget also on 15th (7-10pm), Charcoal grill and bar Green will have it's 2nd anniversary. 2,000yen gets you a drink plus a special food box. 500yen drinks thereafter.

p.p.s. some people plan on staying the whole weekend and taking in the Yokohama sights - great idea. There is lots to see (and drink!) in Yokohama! Check out these ideas. The Red Brick Wharehouse (Akarenga is a short walk away, as is Minato Mirai - though some would prefer to take the MM line. Chinatown also not far off, as is Yamashita Park, where you can see the hikawa Maru, a lovely Altantic ocean liner that is docked there.

There is a hostel porto nearby that is cheap, nearby. 2,500yen beds. List of them here.

p.p.p.s. Here's a nice onsen that isn't far off (Minato Mirai area). The water is imported from Atami but it does look quite nice. It's open from 10 to 9am the following day, so I suppose to you sleep there!