Category Archives: Japan Craft beer

Craft Beer, Japan Craft beer, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Lingering Summer Ale

August 13, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Aoi Brewing has come up with another craft beer: Lingering Summer Ale!
But I can assure you it will not linger long at AOI BEER STAND!
Incidentally this tasting was conducted with the help of two good friends of mine, namely Atsuko Kurata and Chiaki Hirano!

Served on tap
Barley, Maris Otter malt (England), Munich Malt (Germany), Flaked barley malt (USA), Chinook hop (USA), Perle hop (Germany), Sugars, Lingerwood yeast (ale yeast-USA)
Unfiltered
Natural carbonation
Alcohol/ABV: 4.5 degrees
IBU: 29
Production: 450 l
Bubbles: Longish head, very fine bubbles, creamy, whitish orange color
Color: deep orange
Aroma: dry and fruity. Citruses, hop
Taste: dry and fruity attack but soft and light on the palate.
Citruses, bread, dry honey, unripe persimmon.
Lingers long enough for true tasting before departing with dry oranges.

Overall: very easy to drink craft beer in spite of its high dryness,acidity.
A real summer craft beer!
Suggested pairings: sausages, cold meats.

Beer Junkie MOTEL

420-0035 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 11-5, IMAKKOKO Bldg. 1F
Tel.: 054-253-6558
Opening hours: 18:00~25:00
Closed on Tuesday
Parties welcome
FACEBOOK

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
FACEBOOK

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
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi Brewing beers are also available at the mother company’s other restaurant,

GROWSTOCK

420-0852 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Koyamachi Naka Building, 5F
Tel.: 054-293-9331
Opening hours: 17:00~25:00 (Mon.~Thurs.), 17:00~27:00 (Fri & Sat.), 17:00~24:00 (Sun.)
Parties welcome (reserve!)
Credit Cards OK
FACEBOOK

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Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-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

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Craft Beer, Japan Craft beer, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Shisui (2016 version)

April 13, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Koudai Fukuyama/福山康大さん, at Aoi Brewing in Shizuoka City, has come up with his 2016 version of “Shisui”!

It is presently served at AOI BEER STAND, Beer Junkies Motel and BEER GARAGE, so you had better hurry as this is a limited brew!

Served on tap
Barley, Wheat, Maris Otter malt (England), Pilsner malt (Germany), Munich nalt (Germany), Wheat malt (Germany), Magnum hop (Germany), Simcom hop (USA), Cascade hop (USA), Centinear hop (USA), American Ale yeast/Wyeast 1056 (USA), 水飴/Mizuame/sugared water.
Unfiltered
Natural carbonation
Dry hopping
Acohol/ABV: 5.1 degrees
IBU: 20
Starting sugar level: 11.9 Degrees P, Finishing sugar level: 2.3 degrees P
Production: 450 l
Bubbles: longish head, very fine bubbles, creamy, white color
Color: light orange
Aroma: dry and assertive. Citruses.
Taste: light, dry and fruity attack
Oranges, biscuits.
Lingers long enough for true tasting before departing with dry oranges with pleasant acidity.
Varies little with food but for a drier note.

Overall: A craft beer without an overwhelming aroma, light enough and an easy taste!
A craft beer for all seasons!
Even better than last year’s first version!
Suggested pairings: salads, cold meats.

Beer Junkie MOTEL

420-0035 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 11-5, IMAKKOKO Bldg. 1F
Tel.: 054-253-6558
Opening hours: 17:00~25:00, 17:00~26:00 (Saturday), 15:00~22:00 (Sunday)
Closed on Tuesday
Parties welcome
FACEBOOK

BEER GARAGE

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
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Craft Beer, Japan Craft beer, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Harumi　(2016 version-1st Batch)

April 5, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Last year Aoi Brewing produced its first Harumi craft beer, a fruit craft beer made with real mikan/mandarin oranges grown in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City called “harumi mikan”. Following its great success it will be brewed every year although the quantity is limited due to the restricted availability of the mandarins!

This year’s Harumi will actually be brewed into 3 different batches which are bound to taste differently according to the very difference between the harvested mikan.
The harumi used in this first batch were comparatively small with little juice.

Served on tap
Barley, Pilsner Malt, Maris Otter malt, Topaz hop, Sapphire hop, American Ale yeast
Unfiltered
Natural carbonation
Acohol/ABV: 5.5 degrees
IBU: 17
Production: 450 l
Bubbles: longish head, very fine bubbles, creamy, white color
Color: orange
Aroma: dry and fruity. Discreet. Dry citruses
Taste: deep, dry and fruity attack with just a tinge of acidity.
Plenty of green mandarin oranges.
Drier than previous brewed in 2015.
Lingers long enough on palate for true tasting before departing on more if a bit drier mandarin oranges.
Mandarin oranges will surge even more strongly with further sips.
Changes little with food but for the appearance of more and more dry mandarin oranges.

Overall: very elegant fruit craft beer.
Simply extravagant, although one might think that the following batches will be even better!
Should please ladies and dry fruit beer lovers in particular.
A craft beer for all seasons.
Suggested pairings: vegetable salads, mixed nuts.

Beer Junkie MOTEL

BEER GARAGE

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
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Craft Beer, Japan Craft beer, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Kurotonbi Weissen

February 7, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

New craft beers are coming fast and furious at Aoi Brewing in Shizuoka City!
Actually, there is a lot of experimenting going on as bottled beer is about to come out, too!

“Kuroi Tonbi/Black kite (the bird!)” Weissen!
Originally conceived as Brown Weissen TYpe!

Served on tap
Barley, Wheat, Chocolate malt, Black malt, Munich malt, Dark crystal malt, Topaz hop, Tettnang hop, live yeast.
Unfiltered
Alcohol/ABV: 6.6%
IBU: 23
Natural carbonation
Production: 450 liters
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Long head. Creamy. very light coffee color
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: dark orange brown
Aroma: discreet and fresh. Biscuits, bread.
Taste: fresh, deep and fruity attack quickly turning to a pleasant acid note.
Bread, biscuits, deep body.
Lingers long enough for true tasting before departing with hints of honey and acid oranges.
Alcohol will surge forward with rise in temperature.
Tends to turn sweet with food.

overall: A new type of craft beer for Aoi Brewing!
Planned originally as Brown Weissen type.
Very solid but easy to drink craft beer!
Suggested pairings; nuts, cheese, pork.

Beer Junkie MOTEL

BEER GARAGE

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
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

Beer Junkie MOTEL

BEER GARAGE

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
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Craft Beer, Japan Craft beer, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Hollyhock Christmas Ale

December 17, 2015 dragonlife 1 Comment

Christmas is around the corner and Aoi Brewing in Shizuoka City has put out or the second year running a special craft beer to commemorate the event!

Hollyhock Christmas Ale!
“Hollyhock” means “Aoi” or “Tachi Aoi” in Japanese and is the symbol flower of Shizuoka City!
Actually I had suggested that name myself when Aoi Brewing was looking for names for its beers back last year in June!

The truth is that the secret name given to that Strong Belgian Type Ale is “Dozen Roses Ales” as it includes 12 different main ingredients!

Served on tap
Barley, Maris Otter malt, Munich malt, Crystal malt dark, Chocolate malt, Australian Galaxy hop, Styrian Golding malt, Coriander, Orange peels, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Vanilla beans, Sugars, live yeast.
Unfiltered
Alcohol/ABV: 10%
IBU: 31
Natural carbonation
Production: 450 liters
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Shortish head. White color
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: dark amber
Aroma:Light, dry and fruity. Biscuits, citrus
Taste: Soft, deep and dry attack with only a little acidity.
Complex: oranges, citruses, honey, cinnamon, biscuits.
Big gap between aroma and actual taste due to high alcohol contents.
lingers long enough for true tasting before leaving on more dry honey, citruses and cinnamon.
Citruses and persimmons surging back with every sip.
becomes even more complex as its temperature rises.

Overall: generous and extravagant ale!
Very deep and complex craft beer.
Although tasted fist only slightly chilled, performs best at room temperature .
To be savored slowly!
Should please both genders of any age in spite of its alcohol contents!
Suggested pairings: pickles, salami, cheese.
To be expected every year before Christmas!

Beer Junkie MOTEL

BEER GARAGE

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
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Craft Beer, Japan Craft beer, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Kagyoku Shokuro Tea Ale

November 29, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Tasting conducted together with Kent Rhoads!

Aoi Brewing in Shizuoka does often come with some unusual limited brews!
This time they produce another Tea Ale but with a twist!

It was actually brewed to commemorate the wedding of Kazumi San/和美さん, who is part of the staff at Beck Co., the umbrella owner of Aoi Brewing!
The name Kagyoku Shokuro/華玉燭霧 is related to the kinds of tea included in the brewing!

Served on tap
Barley, Pilsner malt, Munich Malt, Topaz hop, Styrian Golding hop, Gyokuro Tea 8250 g), Fukamushi Tea (4 kg), live yeast.
Unfiltered
Alcohol/ABV: 5.5%
Production: 450 liters
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Long head. Creamy. White color
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: light orange color
Aroma: sweetish green tea
Taste: dryish and flavorful attack.
Complex. Sweetish green tea, hints of oranges, apricots and dry pears.
Very tasty first impression with no aftertaste. Excellent and subtle balance.
Lingers long enough on palate for true tasting before departing on a sllghtly sweeter note than at the beginning with very pleasant matcha.

Overall: Lighter and more elegant approach than previous brews made with Shizuoka green Tea.
Almost no acidity. Very soft on the palate. Very unique craft beer!
Pity it is limited as this would easily become a must drink every day all year round!
Simply said: superb!

Beer Junkie MOTEL

BEER GARAGE

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
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES