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!

Best beers in Yokohama map

Some of you may know that the new Baird Bashamichi Taproom is opening soon (Jan 15th, from 12!). This is gonna be a real pit BBQ craft beer bar/restaurant. featuring authentic pit BBQ, cooked in one monster pit BBQ oven! Lots of Baird craft beer will be on tap plus possibly 3 special beers for the opening. Possibility of guest beers, too (will confirm that once I know).
There's a lot of buzz about this new bar and a lot of friends are coming into Yokohama on this day to check it out.
However, a lot of people have asked me where it is!!
Well, recently the Baird website has given a map showing the location but that map isn't really perfect for non Japanese speakers - it's all in Japanese (I have a feeling it could be the back of the business card?).

I made a google map showing the exact location of the Taproom (it's in the old Mainichi Shinbun building).

I then went on to show the location of the nearby Pivovar Yokohama bar, as it's a great option and very close by.
I then went on to include the best bars in Yokohama, as why not? Yokohama is fast becoming one of the best cities to drink craft beer in. Yes, Tokyo has more bars, but higher prices too and more congestion.
Yokohama is more spread out and the Bashamichi area is close to Minato Mirai, the Red Brick Wharehouse (not whorehouse, so I gotta watch my typos there!), China Town, etc.

Well, here's the google map:

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

The new Taproom has it's opening party on the 15th, from 12.
It's gonna be packed and it should be a lot of fun.
Maybe see you there!!!!

\(>_<)/- doh!! I've since found out that there is a google maps link on the Baird brewers' English blog - I missed it!

Long time, no posts. Hope to start up again soon.

Off to Maltan today.
3rd anniversary. Great event.
THE BEST BEER BAR EVENT is on again.
Maltan's 3rd anniversary. 5th December, 4-7:30pm
It's mental. 3,600 all you can drink.
Bring your own glass and food. Serve yourself. Once the barrel is gone, it's gone. Last year, I woke up next morning, covered in vomit, heavily hungover- in Gunma - fantastic!!!!
Read about it here.
The beer list includes:
Minoh imperial stout, handpump (very good)
Hidatakayama red bock
Onidentetsu pale ale
Shiroyama cassis lambic (girl's drink)
Fujisakura rauchbaock (good)
Fujisakura weizen (good)
Nagahama ale (good but very unique yeast flavor)
Minami Shinshu apple hop
Augus blanche
Oh!La!Ho! IPA
Iwate Kura barley wine (oak aged, real ale)
Coedo plus maybe more.

Check out my old link for more info.
Maybe see some of you there.

Too drunk to remember much

Yokohama beer fest was a blast.
I wanted to go back today but woke up too late and got Sat and Mondays opening times mixed up. At 3pm, I figured I still had 2 hours or so drinking time left then realised the thing closed at 4 on Monday. Doh!!!
Should've woken up earlier.
Gonna look for a list of winners and post it online.
Don't remember much as I was a bit tipsy.
Met soooooooo many poeple, olod fends and new ones.
Here's a pic from the start.
This guy is either a cow or a tiger. One half of the famous UshiTora craft bar in Shimokitawa. Great guy. I always get confused as to which guy is the cow (Ushi) and which guy is the tiger (Tora)!

I do remember Yokohama got gold for their weizen, Nihonkai Ishikawa silver for their pilsner.

I also managed to pick up silver medal for the most annoying person in the festival!

"Woohoo!!!!"

Someone else must have got silver for something because I'm wearing their medal!
I just don't remember who...too smashed.

After the festival, a few people headed to the Nakameguro Taproom to meet up with the New Zealand brewers from Tuatara brewing. Had a great evening drinking, tasting and chatting with them (tasting their beers, not THEM).

This is one of the brews I remembered as being very good:
Here's a pic of a few of the guys from last night:
L-R: Ry Beville of Japan Beer Times, possibly the business guy/investor/brewer from one of the New Zealand breweries (sorry, I talked to you but I was very very plastered and can't remember!), Phred Kauffman (importer of Rogue, Mikkeller and many other fine beers as well as owner of Mugishutei craft bar in Sapporo), Dominic Kelly (manager of Hashigozake in Wellington, New Zealand and representative of the New Zealand brewers.
A good crowd turned up to taste and give feedback on the New Zealand beers.
The first time for them to come over here.
Look out for these beers in the near future!