Japanese Beers

I guess this brewery is a good start. http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/697. I've only had the Red Rice Ale. It tasted a bit weird.

 

Their White Ale is excellent.

 

I just had the other day Hitachino Nipponia and it was great! The sweet stout and the espresso stout are excellent! And the Ginger Brew is highly drinkable. I actually got my buddy hooked on that and he picks up bombers of that all the time!

 

Agreed. Tried the Red Rice last week (paid $5 for a 12 oz mind you) and the only description for it is weird. It was actually pretty drinkable and some sips were good, yet kinda bad at the same. I wasnt really sure what they were going for. It was like someone turned a Kirin into a Beligian.

Edit: Before anyone hits up the spelling, I mean Belgian not Beligian

 

This one is pretty decent:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2550/7511

 

I'll echo these guys - everything from Kiuchi that I've had has been good. Their XH is fantastic, very unique beer that they seem to have mastered.

 

I agree Wasn't bad, but overall was just odd. Hard to describe but I got this smoky kind of flavor. Not sure how it qualifies as a Belgian Strong Pale, I guess its one of those beers that not necessarily fit any particular style well.

 

I've liked the few Baird beers I've tried: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/3599

 

I will be watching this topic with interest! My wife will be going to Okinawa this Summer. Anyone know the laws of bringing beer back on a trip like that?

 

Sapporo Original Draft Beer is a good beer

 

Whatever you can fit into your checked baggage without going over the weight limit is fine. Be very careful with packing as the baggage handler and custom folks are anything but careful with luggage.

Technically you have to pay taxes on alcohol, but the tax rate is so low I've never heard of them trying to make anyone pay who's just bringing back a couple of suitcases.

 

Thanks for the info Westy!

 

I have had Kirin Ichiban. I was not impressed, but if someone handed me one at a party I would probably drink it.

 

Try any Black beer ( Schwarzbier) from the major Japanese breweries as they like that style in Japan and most are pretty tasty. Baird and Hitachino Nest are common in BC and most of them are worth trying especially the ones that use Japanese fruit or ingrediants ( mostly Baird).

 

The Dark Sky from Baird was really good. Would like to try more stuff from them. http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/3599/24536

 

After living in Japan for over 2.5 years, I can tell you that beer there sucks. My wife (Japanese) agrees. Hitachino and Baird are good but you rarely ever see beers like that there. 98% of places you go will have Asahi, Kiriin, or Yebusi on draft. You also see a lot of Haposhu, which is "beer flavored drink".

I've honestly seen more Japanese craft beers in the states than I did in Japan.

That being said, I have ran into a few very good craft beer bars and even 1-2 tiny breweries that were amazing.

My advice would be to take what you can get now but not really search out other breweries yet. The market just isn't there. Japanese people like a nice cold Asahi.

 

They were not overly enthusiastic for me to have 40 lbs of beer in glass bottles checked onto the plane, so they asked me to carry it on--even though it was bubble wrapped in layers and there was tons of padding. After I laughed, they proceed to wrap my suitcase in plastic, like a big condom around it, and sent it on its way. Nothing broke, and I didn't have to pay anything tax wise.

 

This is the first time I have heard of Baird Brewing myself. I know I seek personally to try Japanese craft and Italian craft. Both are unique for their interpretation of the style and in using ingredients that appeal to a Japanese and Italian palate. That is why I strongly believe that people may discredit both countries for making their brews. I know I love my Italian brews and I believe they are making a nice market place here, especially on the East Coast. I hope to see Japan do the same. Because they take care of there product and take such pride, and every time I have a Hitachino, I always remember this.

That being said, when I go out to a place and have a few, I seek out Belgians, and some American gems (had a Cantilion on draft for the first time last night )