Category Archives: Tourism

レシピ, 美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

American Gastronomy: Hot Dog at Aoi Beer Stand in Shizuoka City!

September 21, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Service: Easy-going and friendly
Facilities: Very clean overall. Beautiful washroom inside Den Bulding.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Craft beers only!

Yesterday, after a long and hot work day I decided to start the night with a couple of craft beers at Aoi Beer Stand in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City.

But all that had made me hungry. too!

I took the opportunity to have a go at the hit dog announced on the menu blackboard!

The hot dog!
Actually I could have called Heisse Hund as the onions had been replaced with sauerkraut heated with sausage!
A great combination as the fried sauerkraut will have lost just enough of its water!

Now the large (for a hot dog!) sausage is a real beauty!
Naoki Mando order them at a local delicatessen. Not only they are big, but they have a great crunchy bite (not the cheap soft canned kind!) and a very deep and complex taste!
Th bread on the hand is exactly like the traditional hot dogs found in the US!

With the right amount of ketchup and soft mustard, a full satisfying and yummy meal!

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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Shop with Intent by Debbie
BULA KANA in Fiji
Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: 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!
-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

Bars, Beer, Beer Brewery, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Beer, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2013/09/20): Fall Seasonal Release — Yabai-Yabai Strong Scotch Ale

September 21, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

Fall Seasonal Release — Yabai-Yabai Strong Scotch Ale

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

As is most often the case, summer in Japan gets blown out and autumn ushered in by the winds of a tempestuous typhoon. We are welcoming fall with today’s release of a beer that has become synonymous with the fall season: Yabai-Yabai Strong Scotch Ale.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Release:
*Yabai-Yabai Strong Scotch Ale (ABV 7.5%):

Scotland, an historically important center of beer brewing, has a cool climate that favors cultivation of the hardy barley plant. Scottish Ales, thus, tend to feature the rich and robust flavor of malted barley. Baird Yabai-Yabai Strong Scotch Ale is, in a word, opulent! The color is a deep mahogany brown and the head is dense, creamy and tan. The aroma is one of soft fruit esters and warm fusel alcohols. The body is chewy and the flavor exhibits notes of molasses, caramel apples, rum cake and pit fruit. One glass is enough to take the bite out of the evening autumn chill. Two glasses will leave you toasty and blissfully warm. Three glasses and …. YABAI!

Yabai-Yabai begins pouring from our Taproom taps tonight (September 20) and is available in both kegs and bottles for immediate release to Baird Beer retailers throughout Japan.

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

BULA KANA in Fiji
Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

静岡市, 駅弁, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Edo Era Travelers in Shizuoka City (Sumpu)!

September 18, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

The City of Shizuoka (as of the Prefecture) was always called so, but until the end of the beginning of the modern era it was called Sumpu/駿府.
The city grew in importance when the Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa/徳川家康 decided to retire there in the beginning of the 17th Century.
There used to be a castle called Sumpu Jyou/駿府城 but the later Shogun ordered it to be burnt.
In recent years a two-third size copy has been (and is still) built as faithfully as possible.
This makes for a very interesting venue as it includes parks, a museum and an event space.

Now, if you walk along the moat behind Shizuoka University Junior School you will espy some people sitting on a bench just beyond a traditional lantern tower!

Can you see them?

They are not people but statues!

Bronze Statue of Yaji-Kita
弥次喜多銅像

Actually it is a modern statue of two main characters of “Tokaidochu Hiza-kuri-ge (Travels on Foot on the Tokaido),”
Yaji (left) and Kita (right), a story/play written 200 years ago by Jippensha Ikku!
An ideal spot to take pictures of the past as the statues faithfully represent two people of the Edo Era, a time when travelers walked all the way from Yedo/Tokyo to Sumpu (174 km)!

Yaji!

Note that the garb is taht of typical travelers of the time.

the gentle face of a grand old man!

Kita!

Obviously the face of a younger and more exhuberant companion!

The “chonmage/丁髷/hair knot” in fashion then!

In that time men used to shave their pate unless they were practically becoming bald! LOL

Everyday necessities were carried in small boxes.

Tobacco box and pipe.
Note the footwear!

Sandal and calf wear.

The moat and pavement.

Will report on Sumpu Castle next time!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
The Wine Wankers by Stuart in Australia!
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
-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

観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Coming Festival: Shimada Obi Matsuri (October 12th, 13th, 14th, 2013)

September 15, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

Shimada Obi Matsuri Statue at Oi Shrine in Shimada City!

Every city worth its salt in Japan has a major festival to boast from.
Shimada City not only has one, but it has been officially named one of the so-called three most unusual festivals in Japan!: the Shimada Obi Matsuri and its Daimyo Procession.

This is a major festival in japan!

Not only it is a major festival but although this year will see its 107th edition, it is staged only every 3 years!
So do not miss it! It was held for the first time in 1609.
Some incredible pictures to be taken!

The poster in front of Shimada JR Station!

The procession will take place in the north half of the city, so do get off the Station from the North Exit!

The 300-year old Daimyo Gyoretsu imitates the procession of a grand jumangoku (one hundred thousand koku, units of rice) daimyo, and a total of 250 marchers stretch over 500 meters. Particularly striking is the presence of oyakko who walk gracefully, carrying an obi for safe delivery of babies on the tip of a wooden sword.
The procession is held every three years, in the years of the tiger, snake, monkey and wild boar.

Here are samples of pictures you could take on that day!

SHIMADA TAISAI WEBSITE

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レシピ, 美食, 野菜, 静岡市, 観光, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, Vegan, Vegan Cuisine, Vegan Dessert, Vegan Restaurant, vegetables, Vegetarian cuisine

Vegan Restaurant & Shop in Shizuoka City: Rama 4.5 Organic Cafe & Shop!

September 14, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

Service: Friendly, smiling and helpful
Facilities: Overall very clean. Washroom a bit small but clean.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Exclusively vegan cuisine. A great scope of vegan ingredients on sale. Entirely non-smoking!

The (small) Rama Group which has been serving for some time vegan food inside the home of some of their members in the south of Shizuoka City at last on August 6th opened a real Cafe & Shop in Gennan Street, Gofuku-Cho, Aoi Ku, in the middle of the city for the pleasure of all vegans and health food lovers!

I’m no vegan myself, but I do appreciate it from time to time, and I’m really happy for my friends and visitors to Shizuoka City who have such priorities!

The shop itself offers an enormous (by Japanese standards!) array of vegan, organic and macrobiotic foods including home-made jams….

and pickles made with fruit and vegetables locally and organically grown.

It is all set in a beautiful and very natural environment, the more for it as it is open as a Cafe all day long!

The general design makes use of a lot of wood.
You can either sit a t tables, or in my case at the counter overlooking the street outside!

The young owners at work1
Mr. Tomonari Maki/牧知成さん and Mrs. Miho Maki/牧美穂さん!

As for the food served the lunch is unique but changes regularly depending on the seasonal ingredients.
They serve all kinds of drinks, including organic beer!
If you don’t speak Japanese speak slowly in English and I’m sure mutual understanding will be easy!

The lunch of the day!
Very appetizing, indeed!
As far as I know this is the sole truly vegan restaurant in town, and probably in the whole prefecture

The hot soup!
No dairy products is used whatsoever!

It is not only healthy but has a beautiful cachet attached to it!

Whatever the angle it is definitely tempting!

Home-made vegan bread!

Home-made jam/chutney!

Plenty of natural spices!

I’m glad to admit that the deep-fried vegetables patty was delicious!

The kinako/roasted soy bean powder jelly dessert and herb tea!

Not only a very healthy dessert but also a traditional Japnese one!

Rama 4.5 Organic Cafe & Shop
420-0031 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Gofuku Cho, 2-4-5
Tel.: 054-266-3845
Business hours: 10:00~19:00
Closed on Wednesday
Entirely non-smoking

Will soon interview their other home-restaurant at:

Rama
422-8052 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Midorigaoka, 19-6
Tel.: 054-260-5186
Business hours: 11:00~23:00
Closed on Wednesday
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Senju Brewery-Oo Kara Kuchi-Kyoku +20 Honjozo

September 14, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

I already tasted this limited sake from Senju brewery in Iwata last year and am always looking frward to tasting it again every year as sake is never the same!
+ 20 means it is extremely dry, probably the record in Shizuoka Prefecture!

In any case they almost overstate it: Oo (very) Kara Juchi (dry) Kyoku (exceptional)!
This is an honjozo meaning that it needed a lot of work blending it with pure rice alcohol!

Rice milled down to 65%
Alcohol: 14~15 degrees
Bottled in August 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Very light golden hue
Aroma: very light. Pears, custard. Dry and fruity
Body: very fluid
Taste: Very dry attack.
Complex, hard to “catch”.
Greens, nuts.
Marries exceptionally well with heavy izakaya food.
Disappears quickly on dry nutty note.
Always seems to incite you into the next cup!

Overall: A sake for izakaya food. Full stop.
Not the kind of sake you really want to extol on, but just drink!
Its extreme dryness makes for a great experience though.
Could be enjoyed at any temperatures but it should definitely be enjoyed lukewarm!

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Events, 観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanese Culture, Mage Festival, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Coming Festival: Mage Matsuri-髷祭 in Shimada City (September 15th, 2013)!

September 13, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

if you have the chance to be in Shimada City this Sunday do not miss this unusual Festival!
It is called the Shimada mage Festival!
Mage means “Hair bending” ( a poor English translation I must admit!), that is the tradtiional way to set hair in Japan!

Even little girls participate!

This very peculiar festival is held on the third Sunday, shine or rain, of September every year.
This year will the 56th edition!

It was first held on September 9th, 1933!
Some ladies wear wigs, but most participants spend the morning setting their at a local “hairdresser”!
Yo will be able to admire them between roughly 13:00 and 16:00 at Oi Shrine (大井神社), in front of Shimada Hospital and Udaji Temple (鵜田寺).

For more (very interesting pictures) consult the following BLOG!

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観光, Humor, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Hungry Goblin!

September 13, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

What is that goblin ogling at for the top of a roof with a sake flask in his hand?

A big fat green worm!

Oumuraya Brewery poster at Shimada JR Station.

If you want to take your own picture, go down at Shimada City Station, take the north exit.
Oumuraya Brewery is only 10 minutes away by foot!

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Bars, Beer, Beer Brewery, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Beer, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2013/09/12): Baird Beer Seasonal Release: Kellerbock

September 12, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

Baird Beer Seasonal Release: Kellerbock

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

There is enough diversity inherent in the flavor of beer for a brewer to be able, theoretically, to brew and release a different and distinctive beer every day of the year. Beer truly is the gift that never stops giving. Today’s beer gift is Baird Kellerbock.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Release:
*Baird Kellerbock (6.5%):

Bock is a strong, malt-centric lager of German origin. Bock beers have historically been associated with special occasions — religious festivals and whatnot. They also enjoy a long history of being brewed and consumed by Bavarian monks as a source of nutrition during times of fasting.

Baird Kellerbock is an unfiltered and secondarily fermented version of this old German style. It is chestnut-brown in color, richly luxuriant in texture, and hugely malty in flavor. It is a beautiful beer to imbibe in this season of dropping temperatures and shortening days.

Baird Kellerbock is available for immediate release in kegs only (no bottles). It begins pouring from the taps of our Taproom pubs tonight (Thursday, September 12).

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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レシピ, 美食, 静岡市, 韓国レストラン, 韓国料理, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Korean Cuisine, Korean Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Korean Gastronomy: Lunch at Harenohi in Shizuoka City!

September 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very kind and smiling
Facilities & equipment: Overall extremely clean. Very clean and modern washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Authentic Korean home cooking. Entirely non-smoking at lunch!

A new Korean restaurant opened in Shizuoka City and as the owner is a friend I just could help visiting at the first lunch served there. It opened on Monday but lunch is served only from Wednesday to Saturday!

The owner has spent some time in France and loves the language!
“Chez 和韓”/”Chez Wakan” means that they serve Korean food prepared by the owner’s wife while the owner himself looks after the establishment in the evenings from Tuesday to Sunday serving Japanese food!

The menu is clearly posted!
Don’t worry about the language. The lady of the house and her staff are very kind and patient! They will explain everything!

Inside is absolutely spotless clean!
And it is entirely non-smoking at lunch!

This is what I ordered for my first lunch there: “Kuppa” lunch set including ginseng!

Cold pine nuts soup to attenuate the hot (it is not hot actually!) food!

A succulent and so healthy plate of appetizers!

Cold nalta Jute (moroheya in Japanese) and yam salad.

Kabocha ball and shijimi, a typical Korean fried appetizer.

Violet cabbage salad in sesame oil, okra and kinpira gobou/fried and spicy burdock and carrot.

The “Kuppa” main dish! (also called guk/국 and tang/탕 in Korea!)

With real ginseng!

Beautifully cooked chicken that is so tender that it slides off the bone. Note the date!

Kimchi!

And hot cinnamon tea!
High satisfaction guaranteed!

Looking forward to my next visit for dinner!

HARENOHI Chez 和韓 la belle Journee
420-0852 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Kouya Machi, 13-3
Tel. & Fax: 054-273-8008
Opening hours:
Lunch (Korean cuisine): Wednesday~Saturday, 11:30~14:00
Dinner (Japanese Cuisine): Tuesday~Sunday, 17:00~24:00
Korean languages lessons on Mondays and Tuesdays 8schedule on request)
Entirely non-smoking at lunch!

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レシピ, Cakes, Chestnut, 美食, Dessert, Desserts, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, 栗

Japanese Vegan Dessert: Chetsnuts Wagashi-Kurikinton-和菓子の栗きんとん

September 11, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

The chestnut picking season is just around the corner in Shizuoka Prefecture and more particularly in Makinohara where it is officially announced as starting on the 14th!
Chestnuts have been since ancient times a great source of food not only for its nuts but also as a basic ingredient for cakes and even bread (far healthier than wheat flour bread incidentally!)!

Here is recipe for a typical wagashi cake called kuri kinton that should please any priorities!

INGREDIENTS:

Chestnuts: 500g
Maple syrup: 100cc~
Water: 50cc~
Natural salt: a pinch

RECIPE:

Wash the chestnuts well before making a thin indent with a knife steaming them for about 50 minutes.

Spoon out the chestnuts into a bowl taking care not to scoop any skin with it.

Pour all the chestnuts inside a food processor and process until all the chestnuts are well broken. Add salt. Adding water and syrup a little at a time process until all ingredients are used.

Sieve into a pan.
Cook over a little fire for a while to lower the humidity.

Spread thinly over a clean cloth to take out excess humidity.

Roll small balls (size of your liking!) and wrap them into cellophane paper. Twist paper hard to create shape.

Unwrap and top with some syrup and a nicely cut piece of steamed chestnut!

By adding some soy milk and more maple syrup you can create a beautiful marron paste!

So easy and healthy!
Enjoy!

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Bars, Beer, Beer Brewery, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Beer, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Shizuoka Beer: Naoki Mando and Aoi Beer Brewery in Shizuoka City!

September 10, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Naoki Mando/満藤直樹さん!

As I mentioned in my first report of the newest standing bar in Shizuoka City, namely Aoi Beer Stand, his owner, Naoki Mando/満藤直樹さん, will open the newest beer brewery/microbrewery in Shizuoka Prefecture, the 11th, by April 2014!

First of all, why the name “Aoi”?
Well, the address is Aoi Ku, and “Aoi/葵” means “Hollyhock” in Japanese, whose leaves are represented on the family crest of Tokugawa Ieyasu who retired to shizuoka City, then Sumpu, at the beginning of the 16th Century!

The ever-changing craft beer menu at Aoi Beer Stand!

Naoki Mando founded BECK Co. Ltd. 4 years ago which firts included Mando Bar, Growstock Bar, Cherry Beans (sold since then) before opening Aoi Beer Stand in July this year.
Everything but the final estate agency contracts to be signed has been made ready.
The experienced brew master. mr. Kouichi Taka, from Ibaraki Prefecture, has been recruited from NEST BEER Co.
Aoi Beer craft beers will be served at the tap at Aoi Beer Stand, Mando, Growstock and in other establishments and marketed in and outside town.

Hansharo Porter from Kuraya-Nagasawa Brewery in Izu Peninsula!

Naoki will continue offering other craft beers from the Prefecture on a collaboration basis while serving at least 4 of his beers on the tap.
Among the regular and seasonal/limited beers he plans to offer next year one will have the pleasure to taste white beer, IPA pale ale and a novelty, kikuimo Beer!
Kikuimo/菊芋/is Jerusalem artichoke in English or Topinambour in French.
The concept is not only new but so interesting because kikuimo has been confirmed as natural medicinal plant effective for treating diabetes!
Which means that Diabetics will have a beer to enjoy at last!

Baird Beer Rising Sun!

Considering that craft beer breweries in our Prefecture are concentrated in the eastern and western part, having a new brewery right in the middle in Shizuoka City will at last fill a space for the pleasure of all true beer lovers!

Soon, as the sites have seen quite a few changes during the past year I will report anew on Mando, Growstock and the Oktober Fest events held there!

NAOKI MANDO
BECK Co. Ltd., Growstock, Mando, Aoi Beer
420-0031 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Gofuku-Cho, 2-4-6, Mori Bldg., 1F
Tel. & fax: 054-221-5103
Mobile: 090-3350-6208

AOI BEER STAND
420-0847 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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笑い, 観光, Food Humor, Humor, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Weird Japan (35): Killing With A Smile?

September 8, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

Another picture for Quizoxy!

Japan is the safest country in the world, but it also produces the best knives and swords in the world, too!
Advertising such a business with a smiling (with a vampire tooth jutting out) manga girl is both novel and disquieting! LOL

It is actually the sign of the oldest knives and cutlery shop in Shizuoka City!

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Bars, Beer, Beer Brewery, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Beer, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Beer Standing Bar: Aoi Beer Stand in Shizuoka City!

September 4, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baird Beer Rising Sun!

Service: Easy-going and smiling. Very hospitable and friendly
Facilities: Very clean overall. Washroom inside Den Bldg, extremely clean and modern
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive (but craft beer is never cheap!)
Strong points: All micro brewery craft beers!

After the recent complete overhaul of Den Building in Aoi Ku a few minutes walk form Shizuoka JR Station North exit, the large street and its pavements were also remade and now we find ourselves with a new space downtown which is slowly starting to attract a new crowd.

The latest addition is a minuscule standing bar called Aoi Beer Stand which opened on the 1st of July!
It is the last addition to Beck Co. Ltd which already owns Mando and Growstock bar/restaurants in Shizuoka City.
To start with the opening hours are a bit unusual: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm every day!

The name Aoi is fairly easy to explain as this bar is located in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

But there is another reason. Mr. Mando, who I should interview soon, is planning to start a brewery of the same name in the very city of Shizuoka! I know where but as this is still confidential you will have to wait until next year for more information! Just know it will become the 11th craft beer brewery/microbrewery in the Prefecture! Whereas the average number of microbreweries in Japan is 5~6 per Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture is simply becoming a major area!

Ever-smiling Ryousuke Ono/大野良輔さん is looking after the place in day time whereas Mr. Mando take things in charge in the evenings.

Now, they serve only craft beer and absolutely nothing else!
For the moment they serve 6 craft beer from all over Japan (changing regularly), including 2 from Shizuoka prefecture.
When the new brewery starts they will probably serve only Shizuoka craft beer!
Note that the prices are for large glasses. Add 200 yen for a pint-sized glass.

Although the place can sit 6 people on high stool, the moment you have reached 7 guests the stools are pushed under the bar counter and you drink standing on some crowded nights patrons can be seen drinking standing on the pavement!

The door inside on the left does not lead to a washroom (which is located inside Den Building) but a minuscule cellar for the beer kegs as all beers are served draught!

The two Shizuoka craft beers presently on offer are from Baird Beer Co. in Numazu City!

Baird Beer Red Rose Amber Ale!

There is some food available though, but the accent is definitely on the beer!

Will come back with another interview of the owner and of his projects soon!

AOI BEER STAND
420-0847 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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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Beer, Beer Brewery, 美食, 酒, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Beer, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Beer, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2013/09/04): Baird Beer Seasonal Release — Wheat King Wit

September 4, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

Baird Beer Seasonal Release — Wheat King Wit

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Ingredient experimentation in brewing is one of the key elements to innovation and flavor improvement. Brewing single-hop beers that share an identical recipe and differ only in hop variety is one way that we experiment with ingredients to understand particular flavor contributions. Fermenting a regular year-round beer with a different yeast strain than usual is another way we conduct this experimentation. Today we are happy to share with you the results of one of the latter experiments: Wheat King Wit.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Release:
*Wheat King Wit (ABV 4%):

Wheat King Ale, of course, is one of our current ten year-round beers. It is a beer designed to highlight the crisp, wholesome, bread-like characteristics imparted by wheat as opposed to barley, which normally dominates a recipes’ grist bill. Wheat King Ale is fermented with our house ale yeast, which is a very flavor-neutral strain (i.e. it ferments clean without imparting distinctly noticeable flavor attributes of its own).

Wheat King Wit, as the name implies, is our Wheat King Ale recipe fermented with a Belgian witbier yeast strain (the same one we use to ferment Single-Take Session Ale). Witbier yeast strains tend to impart distinctive fruit and phenolic flavors in the course of fermentation. Our witbier strain is more restrained than some, but the flavor difference between Wheat King Ale and Wheat King Wit is clear and interesting.

We are now accepting orders for Wheat King Wit. It is keg-only and will begin pouring from our Taproom taps tonight (Wednesday, September 4). By all means, avail yourself of this valuable beer tasting 101 flavor comparison opportunity — Wheat King Wit beside Wheat King Ale. Can you taste the difference? What is your preference?

And we have a special late-summer beer treat for our Taproom patrons — Chris’ Garden Cascade Hop Ale (4.5%). Draught beer manager Chris Madere’s home hop garden has just been through its third harvest, and as is often the case in hop growing, the third year is the charm. Chris’ 2013 organically grown Cascade hops were his best and most plentiful to date. We loaded about 500 grams of them in our 250 liter kettle in three different additions. We dosed another 400 grams in the conditioning tank in an aroma-imparting dry-hop addition. The base beer is a light golden ale of moderate starting gravity (11.7 Plato).

Chris’ Garden Cascade Hop Ale is available exclusively at Baird Taproom pubs and begins its run through our British real ale hand pumps tonight. Enjoy, and drink one to Chris!

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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