Osaka Beer Tasting: Minou Beer Brewery-W.IPA

October 28, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

The great thing about AOI BEER STAND in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, is that they not only serve their own craft beers, that is those brwed by Aoi Brewing Co., but also offer all kinds f other Japanese craft beers on tap!

This time they served on tap an IPA by Minou Beer Brewery in Osaka named W.IPA!
“W” stands for “doubke” in Japanese, meaning that this particular IPA is a lot stronger than usual ones!

Served on tap
Barley, malt, hop, yeast
Unfiltered
Alcohol: 8 %
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: deep orange
Bubbles: very fine bubbles, creamy, long head, light orange color
Aroma: very fruity. Oranges
Taste: very deep and strong attack.
Very fruity and complex: oranges, apricots, persimmon.
Welcome acidity
Stays long on the palate. Very steady and reliable.
varies little with food.

Overall: Strong, heady and delicious beer you don’t need any food to accompany.
Complex and original.
Frankly speaking there is no need to chill it.
Higher class strong beer!

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK

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-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Yamaguchi Prefecture Beer Tasting: Yamaguchi Jibiru Brewery-Genpei Dannoura Stout

October 26, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other day a good friend of mine was kind enough to bring me this beer form the other side of Japan in Yamaguchi Prefecture!

As its sale is limited to its own production region, that is, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, it’s the more valuable and I would found remiss if I didn’t report on its tasting!

Product name: Genpei Dannoura Stout
Ingredients: Barley malt, hop, yeast
Alcohol: 5’%
Unfiltered
Contents: 330 ml
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: very dark brown
Bubbles: very fine bubbles, creamy, long head, milk coffee color
Aroma: light and dry, bread, caramel
Taste: very refreshing and deep attack ending on a dry note with welcome acidity.
Dry caramel, bread, roasted oats, dry coffee beans.
Stays long enough on palate for true tasting before departing on a drier and more acid note.
Does not vary much with food.

Overall: Very refreshing for a stout. Straightforward and reliable.
Very satisfying. Great acidity.
A beer for all seasons for stout lovers.
Can be enjoyed slightly chilled or just below room temperature.

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Japanese Gastronomy: “Shun no Kai” Dinner at Togaji, Shizuoka City!

October 26, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Friendly and attentive
Equipment and facilities: Very clean overall. Beautiful “Magic” washroom
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: true Shizuoka and Japan traditional seasonal gastronomy. Great sake!

“Shun no Kai/旬の会” means “Seasonal Gastronomy Association”. Its initiator, Mr. Toshiyuki Iwasawa, a senior official in the Shizuoka Prefecture Government Agriculture and Forestry Department who knows all the farmers and their products in the Prefecture is constantly promoting the products and gastronomy of our Prefecture on a purely volunteer basis by organizing all kinds of dinners, events and seminars in local restaurants, whenever his busy work permits.

I finally had the pleasure to take part in one of his dinner parties with 15 other guests at a new Japanese Restaurant/high level izakaya called “Tokaji/とか路”. Actually the real name is “Ryouri to Sake Tokaji/料理と咲けとか路/Gastronomy and Sake (the last is a pun also signifying “flowering”!).

It is located in the heart of Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, along the Aoba Street!

The Master of the House, Mr. Naoto Togashi/冨樫直人さん who opened this new restaurant one year ago!

A very traditional izakaya-sryle Japanese restaurant with a long counter and tatami/rice straw mat room for a total of 16~18 seats!

Plenty of Shizuoka sake available!

The little details that make it so Japanese!

Toshiyuki Iwasawa had provided tons of information on the food and ingredients of the day!

The Shizuoka Prefecture sake served on that day were all brewed by Negami Brewery in Gotemba City!

“Kinmei Junmai Ginjo, Limited brew/金明純米吟醸（限定)”!

“Kinmei Tokubetu Junmai Omachi/金明特別純米雄町”, “Kinmmei Junmai Ginjyo Hiyaoroshi/金明純米吟醸ひやおろし”, and “Kinmei Karakuchi Junmai Shu, Aki Agari/金名辛口純米咲け秋あがり”！

Even the water was provided from the well of Negami Brewery located at an altitude of 550 meters up the slopes of Mount Fuji!

And now the succulent dinner!

Ingredients:
Amago trout raised in Shimoyama farm in Shuzenji, Izu Peninsula
Mushrooms: Masujima Farm in Izu no Kuni City, Izu Peninsula
Wild venison from Izu Shika Monya in Izu Peninsula
Wasabi: Ida Farm in Izu Peninsula
Jaboticaba: Farm Cafe Jaboticaba, Mariko, Shizuoka City

Amago trout and mushrooms light soup!
お椀(下山養魚場のアマゴ真丈と増島農園のキノコ)

Amago Trout sashimi and Roasted venison with wasabi pickles!
お造り(アマゴの刺身とイズシカ問屋の伊豆鹿のローストを飯田農園の山葵で)

Amago trout and seasonal vegetables baked in a crust of salt!
焼き物(アマゴの塩釜焼き)

The same, exquisitely served!

“Lily root cake stuffed with minced venison, steamed and simmered, served with ankake sauce!
煮物(菊花蕪の伊豆鹿射込み)

The same with the venison stuffing!

Deep-fired taro roots and mushrooms, and venison croquettes!
揚げ物(はの字のキノコのさつま揚げ・伊豆鹿コロッケ)

Rice steamed with mushrooms!
食事(キノコの出汁でキノコの炊き込みご飯、アマゴの粕汁)

Amago trout soup cooked with sake white lees!

Sake White lees Mousse cake and Jaboticaba!
甘味(和風金名の酒粕のムースと農園カフェcafe Jaboticabaのジャッボチカバ)

A true feast!

TOKAJI/料理と咲けとか路

Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken-cho, 9-5, Trends Bldg, 1F.
Opening hours: 17:00~22:30.
Tel.: 054-273-5218
Closed on Sundays.

“Shun no Kai/旬の会”
Mr. Toshiyuki Iwasawa
静岡県志太榛原農林事務所　　岩澤敏幸
〒４２７－０００７　静岡県島田市野田１１２０－１
ＴＥＬ　０５４７－３７－１１６０
ＦＡＸ　０５４７－３７－１１６３
携帯　０９０－４２６１－３４９２
E-mail: toshiyuki1_iwasawa@pref.shizuoka.lg.jp

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Japanese Gastronomy, Philately, sushi, Tempura

Japanese Gastronomy on stamps: Sushi and Tempura!

October 25, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Japanese gastronomy lovers and philatelists rejoice!
The Japanese Post is going to issue two very important stamps on October 30th!

The stamps will be issued in sheets of ten stamps, priced at 18 yen each.
This has become necessary with the consumption tax raise!

Although the size, format and design of the stamps and min-sheet might be that of commemorative stamps, they are actually a temporary regular stamps!

Sushi and tempura!

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Cakes, French gastronomy, Shizuoka City

French Dessert: Savarin at Patina in Shizuoka City!

October 23, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly and smiling
Facilities: Very clean. Beautiful washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: A true cafe and bistro where to relax and enjoy a good light meal any time of the day. Interesting reasonable wine and cider list. lunch & Dinner menus regularly change.

It has been some time since I visited one of my favorite cafe/bistro, namely Patina in Tenma-Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City. The chef and consequently the menu have changed and a check had been on the cards for some time!

Among the noted changes, cakes are now in force and can even be taken out!
I still have to eat lunch and dinner again there but a cake and cappucino were just perfect on that afternoon!

Tarte au citron and baked cheese cake!

Apple tart and pistachio mousse tart!

Tiramisu!

But I ordered another cake with my cappucino!

I definitely recommend Patina’s cappucino!

Carefully designed as usual!

Now, this savarin has a different design!

Actually this new concept makes for an easier enjoyment!

The savarin has been directly imbibed in white rum out of the oven inside its ramequin, then cooled down and coated with cream!

Spoon it carefully!
Light and delicious!

I wonder what cake I will choose next time unless I have lunch!

Look forward to next report!

PATINA, Café & Bistro
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenmacho, 17-9
Tel.: 054-266-9500
Opening hours: 11:00=22:00 (last orders, 21:30)
Lunch: 11:00~14:30
Dinner: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Mondays and 3rd Tuesday of the month
Take-out OK!
Parties welcome!

FACEBOOK
BLOG (Japanese)
Non-smoking until 15:00
Credit Cards OK

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Beer, Beer Brewery, Shizuoka City

BEER GARAGE Pub in Shizuoka City!

October 22, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly and easy-going
Equipment & Facilities: Very clean overall. Spacious and excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable~slightly expensive
Strong points: Aoi Brewing craft beers on 6 taps. Pub food

At long last the first true Brew Pub in Shizuoka City has opened: BEER GARAGE!
I had the occasion to take part in their opening party and report!

It is located in the same building as Aoi Brewing Company, the latest craft beer brewery in Shizuoka Prefecture.
It stands away from the busy center in a quiet spot parallel to Sengen Street leading to Sengen Shrine.

They presently serve on tap 6 different beers, all from the brewery at the back.

Although the craft beers are bound to change regularly, they presently serve English Pale Ale, Litbitter Stout, Alt, Pale Ale, Golden Ale and IPA.
Beers come at 750 yen the glass, 950 yen the pint and 1,700 yen the jug
Soft drinks are available at 400 yen apiece.

Party food!

As for the food, the menu includes marinated vegetables, fried potatoes, German potatoes, cheese plate, raw ham, Roast lamb, Buffalo chicken, Nankotsu age, Smoked beef tongue, garlic shrimps, Fish & chips, Chorizo rolls (from Beer Yokota), Farmer’s market salad, cob salad, Grilled lamb chops, Lamb susages, Lamb steak, Cajun chicken, Stripped loin steak, Club sandwich, Suruga Gyu beef burger SPDX, Sakura shrimps fish burger, Teriyaki chicken mayo basil pizza, American peparoni pizza, Jambalaya rice, Classic brownies and Old fashion cheese cake!

Expect regular reports!

BEER GARAGE

Aoi Brewing Co.,Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyagasaki Chyo, 30
Tel.: 054-294-8911
Opening hours: 17:00~23:00 (Monday~Friday), 15:00~23:00 (Saturday), 15:00~22:00 (Sunday)
Closed on Tuesdays
COD, Cash On Delivery only for all orders.
MAP

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sanwa Brewery-Garyubai Junmai Ginjo Homarefuji Genshu (conducted at La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

October 19, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

I don’t mind repeating it all the time but I prefer conducting sake tastings in the right environment but not many places are propitious for that exercise or willing to help.
But La Sommeliere in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City is certainly becoming a habit as not only I can conduct my tasting in the best conditions possible but also exchange views at the same time!

Now, which sake did I taste this time!

Another sake with a long name by Sanwa Brewery in Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku!

Garyubai Junmai Ginjo (no pure rice alcohol added) Homarefuji (rice name) Genshu (no pure water added)

Rice: Homarefuji (grown in Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees
Dryness: + 4
Acidity: 1.4
Bottled in July 2014

Clarity: very clear
Color: faint golden hue
Aroma: Fruity and dry. Assertive. Alcohol. pears, green apples, custard
Body: fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Very fruity and deep attack, backed up by puissant junmai petillant and pleasant alcohol.
Complex: custard, lychees with hints of oranges.
Lingers on the palate for a short while before departing on a drier note with hints of almonds, coffee beans and dark chocolate.

Overall: I didn’t bother to drink with food!
Very elegant despite higher alcohol content.
Would make for the perfect digestif, especially for ladies who would prefer a late nightcap with less alcohol.
At times drinks like a dry Sauternes!

LA SOMMELIERE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 7-5, Aiseido Bldg, 1F
Tel. & Fax: 054-266-5085
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays & National Holidays
Entirely non-smoking!

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SHIZUOKA GOURMET

Monthly Archives: October 2014

Osaka Beer Tasting: Minou Beer Brewery-W.IPA

Yamaguchi Prefecture Beer Tasting: Yamaguchi Jibiru Brewery-Genpei Dannoura Stout

Japanese Gastronomy: “Shun no Kai” Dinner at Togaji, Shizuoka City!

Japanese Gastronomy on stamps: Sushi and Tempura!

French Dessert: Savarin at Patina in Shizuoka City!

BEER GARAGE Pub in Shizuoka City!

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sanwa Brewery-Garyubai Junmai Ginjo Homarefuji Genshu (conducted at La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)