Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Suruga Brewery- Tenkou Tokubetsu Junmai Homarefuji (with Hasegawa Wayoushu Co., /7)

March 19, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

On March 17th was held a special sake tasting at MIRAIE Community Hall in Shichiken Cho under the auspices of Hasegawa Wayoushu Co., a major wine and sake distributor in Shizuoka City, featuring sake made with Homarefuji rice by the seven breweries located in Shizuoka City!

The seventh tasting was a Tenkou Tokubetsu Junmai Homarefuji by Suruga Brewery in Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City!
Note that the tasting order was made according to the table order of the day!

Rice: Homarefuji
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: +4
Acidity: 1.8
Bottled in February 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: very faint golden hue
Aroma: Heady and fruity. Custard, lemon
Body: fluid
Taste: dry and fruity attack backed with strong junmai petillant.
Complex. Custard, juniper.
Stays dry all the way through.
Lingers on only for a little while before departing on notes of greens, vegetables and dry oranges.

Overall: Straightforward and uncomplicated.
Definitely conceived to be enjoyed with food.
Would particularly do well with grilled red meat or any meat dishes!

HASEGAWA WAYOUSHU/長谷川和洋酒

420-0065 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shintoori, 1-1–26
Tel.: 054-251-9685
FACEBOOK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, 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, Pie
rre.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: 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

sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kumpai Brewery- Kumpai Tokubetsu Junmai Homarefuji (with Hasegawa Wayoushu Co., /6)

March 19, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

The sixth tasting was a Kumpai Tokubetsu Junmai Homarefuji by Kumpai Brewery in Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City!
Note that the tasting order was made according to the table order of the day!

Rice: Homarefuji
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: -5
Bottled in February 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: very faint golden hue
Aroma: light, dry. faint banana and melon, flowers
Body: fluid, a little sirupy
Taste: dry and very fruity attack backed with moderate junmai petillant.
Complex: pears, marshmallow, lemon.
Lingers only for a while warming up back of the palate before departing with notes of dry nuts and walnuts.
Faint oranges appearing later.
Really melts on the tongue.

Overall: Elegant and very satisfying.
Drier than expected in spite of its “-5” dryness announced because of its very fruity approach.
Should please all genders!
Would beautifully pair with chocolate!

HASEGAWA WAYOUSHU/長谷川和洋酒

420-0065 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shintoori, 1-1–26
Tel.: 054-251-9685
FACEBOOK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

sake, Sake Brewery

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Eikun Brewery- Eikun Tokubetsu Junmai Homarefuji (with Hasegawa Wayoushu Co., /5)

March 19, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

The fifth tasting was a Eikun Tokubetsu Junmai Homarefuji by Eikun Brewery in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!
Note that the tasting order was made according to the table order of the day!

Rice: Homarefuji
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: -2
Acidity: 1.3
Bottled in January 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: Heady, dry and fruity
Body: fluid, a little sirupy
Taste: very fruity and dry attack in spite of the “-2” (sweet) dryness announced. Backed with moderate junmai petillant.
Complex: oranges, marshmallow, custard, macadamia nuts.
Lingers on for a little while before departing with notes of dry oranges and apricots.
Late appearance of dry persimmon and coffee beans.

Overall: very elegant and eminently easy to drink.
A lot drier than expected. the “-2” dryness announced tends to be misleading.
Complex with multiple facets appearing late.
Should please ladies in particular!
Should be happily paired with vegetables and salads in particular!

HASEGAWA WAYOUSHU/長谷川和洋酒

420-0065 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shintoori, 1-1–26
Tel.: 054-251-9685
FACEBOOK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Haginishiki Brewery-Haginishiki Junmai Homarefuji (with Hasegawa Wayoushu Co., /4)

March 18, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

The fourth tasting was a Haginishiki Junmai Haomarefuji by Haginishiki Brewery in Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City!
Note that the tasting order was made according to the table order of the day!

Rice: Homarefuji
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: -2
Acidity: 1.4
Bottled in March 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: dry and fruity. banana, hints of lemon.
Body: fluid
Taste: Almost sweetish and fruity attack. Creamy. Very moderate junmai petillant.
Complex. Citruses, lime, lemon, faint melon.
Late appearance of pears and apples.
Lingers only for a while before departing with hints of coffee beans.
Revealing different facets with every sip.

Overall: Very enjoyable on its own but would definitely emphasize food.
Would happily pair with egg dishes!

HASEGAWA WAYOUSHU/長谷川和洋酒

420-0065 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shintoori, 1-1–26
Tel.: 054-251-9685
FACEBOOK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kanzawagawa Brewery-Shosetsu Junmai Karakuchi Homarefuji (with Hasegawa Wayoushu Co., /3)

March 18, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

The third tasting was a Shosetsu Junmai Karakuchi Homarefuji by Kanzawagawa Brewery in Yui, Shimizu ku, Shizuoka City!
Note that the tasting order was made according to the table order of the day!

Rice: Homarefuji
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: + 4
Bottled in January 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: very faint golden hue
Aroma: dry and fruity. Coffee beans, kinako (dry soybeans powder), nuts, lemon
Body: fluid
Taste:dry and fruity attack backed up with moderate junmai petillant.
Very complex: dry oranges, melon, pumpkin, macadamia nuts.
Lingers on only for a while before departing with notes of dark chocolate and custard.
tends to show different faces with every sip.

Overall: very dry but elegant sake. Eminently drinkable.
Very complex, intriguing and enjoyable.
Would par beautifully with tempura, BBQ and tonkatsu!

HASEGAWA WAYOUSHU/長谷川和洋酒

420-0065 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shintoori, 1-1–26
Tel.: 054-251-9685
FACEBOOK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sanwa Brewery-Garyubai Junmai Ginjo Homarefuji (with Hasegawa Wayoushu Co., /2)

March 18, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

The second tasting was a Junmai Ginjo Homarefuji by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu ku, Shizuoka City!
Note that the tasting order was made according to the table order of the day!

Rice: Homarefuji
Rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees
Dryness: + 3
Acidity: 1.3
Bottled in March 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: very faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity. Greens, apples, cloves, honey, eucalyptus
Body: fluid
Taste: Dry and fruity attack backed by junmai petillant.
Very complex.
Banana, custard, shiso (perilla).
Tends to show many new facets.
Lingers only for a little while before departing on notes of oranges.

Overall: very enjoyable sake.
Would be most appreciated by ladies.
Untypical sake in Shizuoka.
Would pair well with light starters, asparagus and most probably with bitter chocolate.

HASEGAWA WAYOUSHU/長谷川和洋酒

420-0065 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shintoori, 1-1–26
Tel.: 054-251-9685
FACEBOOK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Shizuoka-Hiraki Brewery-Kihei Tokubetsu Junmai Homarefuji (with Hasegawa Wayoushu Co., /1)

March 17, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

The first tasting was a Tokubestu Junmai brewed by Shizuoka-Hiraki Brewery in Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku under the brand name of “Kihei”.
Note that the tasting order was made according to the table order of the day!

Rice: Homarefuji
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in March 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: Almost transparent
Aroma: Light and fruity. Banana, green apples, rice
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: dry, fruity, slightly acidic attack baked up with moderate junmai petillant but strong alcohol.
Lingers long in mouth.
Marshmallows, dry melon, straightforward.
Departs on notes of dark chocolate and coconuts

Overall: Straightforward sake.
Uncomplicated.
Would do well heated and paired with heavy izakaya fare!

HASEGAWA WAYOUSHU/長谷川和洋酒

420-0065 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shintoori, 1-1–26
Tel.: 054-251-9685
FACEBOOK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Japanese Festivals, Shimada City, Tourism

Japanese Festivals: The “Big Three” in Shimada City!

March 17, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

There are many known and not so known reasons to keep an attentive eye on the City of Shimada in Shizuoka prefecture, the more for it with the noticeable increase in foreign tourists thanks to the increasingly busy Fujisan Shizuoka Aiport in The same City of Shimada!

Tourists disembarking from the Airport should spare a minute to look at a big billboard outside Shimada Railway Station as it is written in no less than three languages, English, Chinese and Korean, depicting the three major festivals held in this City!

The Shimada Taisei (Obi Festival)!

This Festival has been held since 1695 and is one of the so-called three strangest Festivals in japan!
It is being held every years!

Photo taken on 1th of October 2013!

The big attraction of course is the parade held with the 25 “Oyakko” dressed in attire of yore carrying umbrellas and long wooden swords draped with expensive traditional cloth!

But there is still more to watch, especially the “floats fights” and the children dances!
For complete reports consult HERE (1), HERE (2), HERE (3), HERE (4), HERE (5), HERE (6), and HERE (7)!

The last Shimada Taisei (Obi Festival) was held in 2013, and will be held in 2016 and 2019 (Rugby World Cup Year which will include venues in Shizuoka Prefecture!)!

The second big festival is the “Kanaya Tea Festival!

Kanaya used to be a city of its own before it was recently merged with Shimada City, but it has preserved its own true identity.
Every two years no less than 1,000 “Tea Gilrs/Cha Musume” of all ages and status parade along the main street to celebrate the budding of the tea leaves every two years in the second week of April!

Photo taken on the 13th of April 2014!

Actually almost the whole population of Kanaya is taking part!
But there are many more opportunities for great pictures and videos!

Even young schoolgirls beating the drums like men!

The kanaya Tea Festival will be next held in 2016, 2018 and 2020 (the Year of the Tokyo Olympics!)!
For full report consult HERE (1), HERE (2), HERE (3), HERE (4) and HERE (5)!

The third big festival is the Shimada Mage Matsuri (Women Topknot Festival)!

It is a festival held to commemorate the creation of a lady topknot worn all over Japan said to be created by Tora Gozen, a courtesan native of Shimada!

Photo taken on the 21st of September 2014!

On the third weekend of September 50 girls and ladies parade all around Shimada City with their hair/topknot done in the traditional Japanese fashion!

This festival is held every year, but the 50 different participants are always different!

For full report consult HERE!

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, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Golden Ale (New Version!)

March 16, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Just tasted a new version of Aoi Brewing’s Golden Ale at AOI BEER STAND in Shizuoka City!

Like other new versions their Golden Ale they didn’t come with a new name!
The ingredients are the same, but more skills have been used into its brewing!

Served on tap
Barley, Maris Otter malt, Pilsner malt, Munich malt, Australian galaxy hop, Sylva hop
Unfiltered
Alcohol: 5.3%
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Long head. Creamy. White
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: light orange color
Aroma: dry and fruity. Citruses, bread.
Taste: Very refreshing, deep, dry and fruity attack.
Citruses, mandarine oranges (mikan).
Sharp and satisfying (“sukkiri” in Japanese).
Lingers long enough for tue tasting before departing on a drier but fruity note.
Stays true to first impressions all the way through.
Varies little with food.
Oranges will insistently come back with every sip.

Overall: Another long-seller in the offing!
Dry and fruity beer for all genders and all seasons!
More complex than expected, the true proof of a great beer!

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

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

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fish, Fish Species, Japanese Gastronomy

Japanese Fish species 18: Shimaaji/Striped Horsemackerel

March 12, 2015 dragonlife 4 Comments

Shimaaji, or Striped Horsemackerel is one variety of Aji/Horsemackerel-Saurel.
Although the season is said to be in Summer, the taste varies little with the time of the year.
Striped Horsemackerel caught by anglers off the Izu Peninsula, shizuoka Prefecture, are said to be the best in Japan.
It is known under the other names of Ookami, Kose and Katsuoaji.

In English it called Striped Horsemackerel, Saurel or White Trevally.
White Trevally, Pseudocaranx dentex, is a jack of the family Carangidae widespread in tropical and warm temperate areas between 40°N and 47°S, in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian and Pacific Oceans. It has a deep body, and a greenish colour with metallic overtones and a dark spot above the gills. The fins are yellow.
In New Zealand, this trevally is known by the Māori as araara, and is generally confined to waters north of Cook Strait, although it sometimes reaches as far south as Otago in the summer.

It is a great fish to serve as sashimi, either in simple slices as above,

Or the whole fish as Tataki/tartare!

In Shizuoka, where the fish is usually served still alive, the bone and heads will served later deep-fired. Superb snack!

The fish is easy to manipulate to make beautig\ful maki with daikon as above!

The sushi nigiri will have photograpers on constant alert!

See what I mean?

Of course aji can be enjoyed grilled with a simple seasoning of soy sauce or ponzu!

Like most white-fleshed fish it can deep-fired in batter and breadcrumbs at home!

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, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Pale Ale (New Version!)

March 9, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Just tasted a new version of Aoi Brewing’s Pale Ale at AOI BEER STAND in Shizuoka City!

It is a new version of their Pale Ale although they didn’t come with a new name!
The ingredients are the same, but more skills have been used into its brewing!

Served on tap
barley, Maris Otter malt, Crystal malt, Australian galaxy hop, Kent Holding hop
Unfiltered
Alcohol: 5.6%
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Long head. Creamy. White
Clarity: Slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: Deep persimmon color
Aroma: Fresh and dry. Bread
Taste: Refreshing, dry and very fruity attack.
Complex with a great balance between acidity and fruitiness.
Citruses, bread.
Acidity and umami tending to compete in turns for recognition with fruitiness.
Otherwise stays true to first impressions all the way through.
Lingers long enough in palate for true tasting before departing on an even drier note with nuts.

Overall: very impressive improvement on an already top-class craft beer!
Very complex with dryness, fruitiness and umami constantly fighting for supremacy.
Another log-seller for all genders and seasons intheoffing!

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

Bars, Izakaya, Shizuoka City

Bar: 13 Anchorz in Shizuoka City!

March 9, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: very easy–going and friendly.
Equipment & facilities: Very clean overall. Superb washroom. 2 floors
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Better than average pub/bar food. Drinks, of course!

The “drinking scene” in Shizuoka City has been changing pretty quickly recently and an area worth a second and third look is a new alley tucked on the first floor of a building called Imakoko in Shichiken Cho Aoi Ku) in the a street just parallel to Showa Street.

Among the bars, restaurants and izakaya you will discover a quaint place with an even stranger name, “13 Anchorz”!

With a sign like that you can’t go wrong! LOL

The place was open on January 11th this year as indicated on this sake bottle!

You can’t miss it with such a view inside!

Written in English!
Reasonable drinks and food.
Opened late ad closed late!

The young owner, Kyoken Sugiyama/杉山陽平さん, after a stint in the Japanese Self Defense Army did spend quite some time in Ireland before deciding to open his impossible to classify establishment as it is a combination of a bar and izakaya!

One can sit at bar, especially welcome when you are on your own!

Or you can sit at a table with company, or on the 2nd floor for more privacy!

As for the drinks, you may choose your own bottled beer or bottle of wine and open it yourself or order it (you might have to wait some time though as Kyoken’s food is quite popular)!

Have a good look at the drinks and their “companions” at the bar!

I had a menacing Mexican IPA for a start!

Have a good look at the menu!
The ladies will love this soft blue cheese called Fourme D’Ambert (France) served with honey nuts and bread!

Now, this the dish I would recommend to all (coming into 3 different sizes!)!

Fish and chips made with mahi mahi fish from Shizuoka Prefecture!

Arguably the best fish and chips in Shizuoka City!

Great when washed down with American Anchor Steam Beer!

Expect me to visit the place again soon as the music is also terrific!

13 ANCHORZ

owner: Kyoken Suzuki/鈴木洋平さん
Shizuoka City, Aoi ku, Shichiken Cho, 11-5, Imakoko Bld., 1F
Tel.: 090-8452-4503
Opening hours: 19:00~27:00 (from 15:00~ on Sunday)
Closed on Tuesday
FACEBOOK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Baird Beer, Craft Beer, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Baird Beer-Morning Coffee Stout (Tasted at Hug Coffee Espresso Roaster in Shizuoka City!)

March 9, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

I just discovered that it was possible to conduct the tasting of at least 9 craft beers by Bryan Baird’s brewery, namely Baird Beer Co. in a small cafe & bar in Shizuoka City!: Hug Coffee Espresso Roasters!

Bryan Baird’s recent visit to Hugs Coffee Espresso Roasters!

It all happened during Bryan Baird’s visit to the cafe when hey struck a deal to create and market a seasonal limited beer!

Morning Coffee Stout!

Name: Baird Beer Morning Coffee Stout, No beer, no coffee, no life!
Bottle contents: 330 ml
Barley, barley malt, sugars, coffee beans (provided by Hug Coffee Co.), yeast
Double fermentation
Unfiltered
Alcohol: 7%
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Long head. Creamy. Milk coffee color
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: very dark brown
Aroma: discreet, dry coffee
Taste: very deep and dry attack.
Very refreshing but solid and satisfying.
Coffee beans surging strongly all inside the palate.
Lingers long enough for true tasting.
Stays true to first impression all the way through.
Varies little with food.

Overall: Intriguing and eminently enjoyable craft beer!
Mind you, you end up torn between coffee and beer!
A must for flavored beer lovers!

HUG COFFEE ESPRESSO ROASTER

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenma Cho, 8-1-1, Sunrose Bldg., 1F, No. 1-2-8
Opening hours: 12:00~24:00
Closed on Tuesdays
Non-smoking!
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Bars, Cafes, Shizuoka City

Cafe & Bar: Hug Coffee Espresso Roasters in Shizuoka City!

March 9, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: easy-going and smiling
Equipment & facilities: All a bit narrow but very clean. Excellent washroom shared on 2nd floor of same Sunrose building. Non–smoking
Prices: reasonable~ a little expensive
Strong points: 34 coffees and teas, craft beers, light food and bagels

Hug Coffee Company in Shizuoka City has three cafes/shops/bars in town, all different in style and concept.
They are increasingly becoming popular with all genders and ages for their convenience.
My favorite is the one called Hug Coffee Espresso Rosters (also called “sangouten”, meaning “3rd shop”!) between Cenova Department Store 109 Building for many reasons.

It reminds me of my psychedelic years and the staff is cool and sometimes outright zany.
Actually the Lady In Charge, Miyako Suzuki/鈴木京さん is a god friend of mine.
First of all smokers are kindly asked to pry their trade far away for the shop!

All drinks are made on site to satisfy all cravings!

But the main attraction is their beers including no less than 9 brews by Baird Beer, the most famous craft beer Company in Shizuoka prefecture!

They even serve a very limited (hurry, as it is only seasonal, although they plan to serve it every year!) Morning Coffee Stout made in collaboration with Bryan Baird and their own coffee!
Tasting report coming soon!

Bryan Baird’s recent visit to Hugs Coffee Espresso Roasters!

You will surely understand why you can expect many craft beer tasting reports in the near future!

HUG COFFEE ESPRESSO ROASTER

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenma Cho, 8-1-1, Sunrose Bldg., 1F, No. 1-2-8
Opening hours: 12:00~24:00
Closed on Tuesdays
Non-smoking!
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK

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, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Grass Wheat Ale (Done at Beer Junkie MOTEL in Shizuoka City!

March 8, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

I took the opportunity of both visiting Beck Co Ltd’s latest establishment, namely Beer junkie MOTEL in Shizuoka City, and tasting Aoi Brewing’s latest craft beer!

Grass wheat Ale! this is basically a Belgian Wheat Ale-style brew!
Aoi Brewing is also owned by Beck Co. Ltd, which means that you can drink their brews at Beer Junkie MOTEL, AOI BEER STAND, Beer Garage and Growstock, although this particular brew is only available at Beer Junkie MOTEL for the moment!

Served on tap
Wheat, wheat malt, Pilsner malt, Austrlian Galaxy hop, lemon grass, coriander, orange peel, nutmeg
Unfiltered
Alcohol: 5.2%
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Long head. Creamy. White
Clarity: Slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: Deep lemon color
Aroma: Dry and fresh aroma, herbs
Taste:Very refreshing, dry and fruity attack with some pleasant acidity.
Complex: lemon, herbs, coriander.
Stays true to first impressions all the way.
Lingers long enough for true tasting.
Varies little with food but for an accentuated acidity.
Marries superbly with pub and izakaya fare, especially meat!

Overall: A craft beer destined to become a regular/long-seller although it runs the risk to be exhausted and unavailable from time to time.
A discovery for all genders and seasons!

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