i'm starting a beer thread in the forum forum

[Super Grover]

Now we're talking.

I've never understood why people would choose beer over a spirit. For a 6-pack of tall Yebisu beers you can get a bottle of bourbon and actual feel the effects of alcohol hitting you before you get bloated and too full.

The only bonus of beer is the enjoyment of beer-farts the following day. Enough bourbon and you get the Pro-Hart-farts though, which cleanse the colon too as an omake.

If you are talking Asahi Super Dry or Budweiser, then I agree. But a Hoegaarden (sp), Ginga Kogen, Baird, Sleamans (only a few), etc. are made to be savoured. One or two and you're done. I think cheap spirits are at least as vomit-inducing as poor beer. I mean, gin by itself is awful. Jack and Coke is what? A nice drink? Hardly! Chivas is branded fire water. Very few vodkas are crisp and clean.

[Shonai Ben]

...........someone mentioned a whoregarden?.........my favorite is whoregarden grand cru.......nice.

[SometimesJustMe]

If you are talking Asahi Super Dry or Budweiser, then I agree. But a Hoegaarden (sp), Ginga Kogen, Baird, Sleamans (only a few), etc. are made to be savoured. One or two and you're done. I think cheap spirits are at least as vomit-inducing as poor beer. I mean, gin by itself is awful. Jack and Coke is what? A nice drink? Hardly! Chivas is branded fire water. Very few vodkas are crisp and clean.

For an economical, non-vomit inducing, smooth bourbon try Four Roses Black label. 2,600 yen at Yamaya, never makes you feel bloated, can be consumed neat and at less than half a bottle, won't affect your usual wake up times.

Of course the more expensive the better for spirits, but even at the economical end they sit with me far better than any beer I've had. I can't recall ever being comfortably drunk on beer.

[haggydoggy]

1. it probably not made in japan. when i was in NY i noticed that kirin was brewed in Canada.

2. japan has crazy taxes in regards to hops. i suspect that it is there to historically to get people to buy Japanese sake and shy away from beer.

It had brewed in Japan on it and came in those 350 ml cans (could have been a trick. Is there a place in Canada called Japan?)

How hard is it to find hoppy beer in Japan? Couldn't find anything the last time I was there in the local supermarkets.

[diotallevi]

I like red/brown ales, the Baird Beer Angry Boy Brown is nice.

Ushiku Brewery from Chateau Kamiya make a range of German style beers which are good, and becoming (occasionally) available on tap at the craft beer bars around town.

From the super market I like Echigo Brewery's red ale, Yona Yona ale and Yebisu Kohaku when its available.


If you are in Tokyo and want to sample Japanese beer, there is no better place than:
http://www.40beersontap.com/

[Super Grover]

I like red/brown ales, the Baird Beer Angry Boy Brown is nice.

Ushiku Brewery from Chateau Kamiya make a range of German style beers which are good, and becoming (occasionally) available on tap at the craft beer bars around town.

From the super market I like Echigo Brewery's red ale, Yona Yona ale and Yebisu Kohaku when its available.


If you are in Tokyo and want to sample Japanese beer, there is no better place than:
http://www.40beersontap.com/

I like this beer too, but it is not easy to find. As for your link, I didn't think to link to my favourite places. There are several excellent Belgian beer bars around town. Tokyo is severely lacking in atmosphere and je ne sais quoi, in my opinion, but it rules when it comes to gustation/gourmet experiences.

[Pinkerton]

..............................you're right........haven't been to tokyo for quite a while now.......

alright, let me know when.....

Now we're talking.

I've never understood why people would choose beer over a spirit. For a 6-pack of tall Yebisu beers you can get a bottle of bourbon and actual feel the effects of alcohol hitting you before you get bloated and too full.

The only bonus of beer is the enjoyment of beer-farts the following day. Enough bourbon and you get the Pro-Hart-farts though, which cleanse the colon too as an omake.

i like bourbon. i need to be in the mood for it though....

Sapporo black star and Heineken are by far my favorites.

Dont like asahi.

corona only in the summer sitting outside at a BBQ (coming sooooooon)

Yebisu is not bad neither is the Magnum Dry one.

I used to keep up a blog where I rated Japanese beers but cba anymore.

Absolutely dont like Kirin.

Lately have been tempted to try out shochu, sake and whisky instead. Ive tried a couple whisky's from tasty to very strong one but forgot the names.

get out and do the sake. big fan of sake and have spent a good amount of time traveling around japan and visiting sake breweries. its the only way to roll.

I like red/brown ales, the Baird Beer Angry Boy Brown is nice.

Ushiku Brewery from Chateau Kamiya make a range of German style beers which are good, and becoming (occasionally) available on tap at the craft beer bars around town.

From the super market I like Echigo Brewery's red ale, Yona Yona ale and Yebisu Kohaku when its available.


If you are in Tokyo and want to sample Japanese beer, there is no better place than:
http://www.40beersontap.com/

thank for the link.

[oxymoron]

[QUOTE=Pinkerton;1238320]
get out and do the sake. big fan of sake and have spent a good amount of time traveling around japan and visiting sake breweries. its the only way to roll. [QUOTE]

Totally agree.
Nothing better than good qualty nihonshu. Very interesting difference in taste between brands.
Be wary of the cheap stuff! It results in shocking headaches and your breath and skin stink of it, next day.

[Pinkerton]

[QUOTE=oxymoron;1238847][QUOTE=Pinkerton;1238320]
get out and do the sake. big fan of sake and have spent a good amount of time traveling around japan and visiting sake breweries. its the only way to roll.

Totally agree.
Nothing better than good qualty nihonshu. Very interesting difference in taste between brands.
Be wary of the cheap stuff! It results in shocking headaches and your breath and skin stink of it, next day.

i always try to drink the good stuff, which doesn't mean expensive. you get the pick of the litter here.

[wernst]

Thanks, any sake, shochu suggestions are much appreciated.

Tried some Chamisule and Korean shochu (JINRO) this weekend. good stuff.

[spacetiger]

If you are talking Asahi Super Dry or Budweiser, then I agree.

C'mon, that's harsh. You can't lump Dry, or any any J-beer with Bud. Dry ain't my favourite, but it's still a lot better than most mainstream western beers. Yebisu is nice, but it's not 25% nicer than the big four - so why pay 25% (or however much it is) more? Of those big four Kirin Ichiban passes the taste test as my fave, but Black Label & Malts are much of a muchness. When I first visited Japan I preferred Kirin Classic, now I don't go near it. Half of taste is brand recognition & imaging anyway. I don't like to drink Dry out of a can, but I like it just fine when it comes in a bottle in a tachinomiya or chain restaurant.

Isn't bourbon what inbred people drink?

[twelvedown]

This thread makes me thirsty....
I want to pound back a sixpack of XXXX. I think I'll do that but with Kirin posh instead.
The one beer I don't much like is Heineken. I will however drink it if a gun is held to my head. (or I get given one)

[oxymoron]

You have to worry about a beer that requires a slice of lime to make it drinkable (Corona), which fails anyway.

[Super Grover]

Mrs Grover and I went for beers in Sumida over the weekend.

Attachment 16069

[Super Grover]

Quite tasty but a bit pricey!Attachment 16070

[kurogane]

well, the title says it all.

If one is going to live on that razor's edge, I believe beer is a sound reason to do so.

I like all beer.

I am a sort of Rodney King of beers.

This seems the sort of thread that would benefit from the prescence of the King of Beers..........Shonai Ben.

[Super Grover]

If one is going to live on that razor's edge, I believe beer is a sound reason to do so.

I like all beer.

I am a sort of Rodney King of beers.

This seems the sort of thread that would benefit from the prescence of the King of Beers..........Shonai Ben.

Even some of the awful US stuff that is cheaper than Coke in the convenience stores? I guess it is sort of connected to your field -- taste the local beers, understand the indigents (sp.?? haha) culture. Other world beer is questionable: a guy I met offered me this "wonderful Turkish beer" -- barf.

SpaceTiger: perhaps I was a bit harsh. Asahi & Bud are not equivalent. Apologies.

[kurogane]

I would never drink a US beer in the US, never mind one they sell in Japan.

So yeah, a fair point.

I have never noticed those. I just head straight for the Yebisu or Sapporo district, or buy the boutique ones at the import food shop (Yamaya in Kyoto area)
.

Next time we have a riverside BBQ, I might buy a case or two, though.

Next time I go to one of those loaded with beer only to have all the weasels drink that and leave me Happo-shu, I might jut have to play Travis Bickle to their Harvey Keitel.




Mind you, I would not cringe at the equation of Asahi and Bud.

Asahi is overcarbonated pop beer.

Canadian Bud is actually perfectly quaffable, if not a first or even second choice.

[Super Grover]

I would never drink a US beer in the US, never mind one they sell in Japan.

So yeah, a fair point.

I have never noticed those. I just head straight for the Yebisu or Sapporo district, or buy the boutique ones at the import food shop (Yamaya in Kyoto area)
.

Next time we have a riverside BBQ, I might buy a case or two, though.

Next time I go to one of those loaded with beer only to have all the weasels drink that and leave me Happo-shu, I might jut have to play Travis Bickle to their Harvey Keitel.




Mind you, I would not cringe at the equation of Asahi and Bud.

Asahi is overcarbonated pop beer.

Canadian Bud is actually perfectly quaffable, if not a first or even second choice.

This is the problem with so much "beer." The overcarbonation ruins it. "Taxi Driver" -- classic. I also like Harvey Keitel in "Smoke," an interesting movie.

[spacetiger]

Mind you, I would not cringe at the equation of Asahi and Bud.

Asahi is overcarbonated pop beer.

Canadian Bud is actually perfectly quaffable, if not a first or even second choice.

Ah, c'mon - it's not true it isn't. Everyone is on Dry's case, but it's like ragging on your own mother. I mean, where's the love? Hasn't Dry been there for you? Hasn't it warmed the cockles of your heart when you were feeling cold & lonely. At the end of the day, a beer is a beer is a beer is a beer is a beer. Sure, Dry ain't fashionable & sophisticated like the sort of chick that watches Sex & the City & gets the jokes, but if it's good enough for Matsuya, Osho & Fugetsu it's good enough for me. Plus I used to bike past this old faded poster outside a dive in Shinimamiya with some babe in a bikini holding a 660 ml bottle of Dry & smiling. Sweetly. At me. With her bosoms.

[Super Grover]

Ah, c'mon - it's not true it isn't. Everyone is on Dry's case, but it's like ragging on your own mother. I mean, where's the love? Hasn't Dry been there for you? Hasn't it warmed the cockles of your heart when you were feeling cold & lonely. At the end of the day, a beer is a beer is a beer is a beer is a beer. Sure, Dry ain't fashionable & sophisticated like the sort of chick that watches Sex & the City & gets the jokes, but if it's good enough for Matsuya, Osho & Fugetsu it's good enough for me. Plus I used to bike past this old faded poster outside a dive in Shinimamiya with some babe in a bikini holding a 660 ml bottle of Dry & smiling. Sweetly. At me. With her bosoms.

Nope, Asahi hasn't been there for me, though I'm glad "she" was there smiling at YOU.
At the end of the day, say on Friday between 6 and 7, after a long week of long meetings and pointless paper work, a Ginga Kogen would do the trick or a Baird (if I could get my hands on one). For me, a beer is not a beer, which is why I cannot stand happoshu or Magnum Dry. On a hot summer day when I have to have something ice cold, Asahi, Coke, Mitsui Cider or Oolong tea will do, but glorious smooth beer is great! Btw, I do not drink all that often, thus enhancing the celestial experience with quality beer!

[spacetiger]

Nope, Asahi hasn't been there for me, though I'm glad "she" was there smiling at YOU.
At the end of the day, say on Friday between 6 and 7, after a long week of long meetings and pointless paper work, a Ginga Kogen would do the trick or a Baird (if I could get my hands on one). For me, a beer is not a beer, which is why I cannot stand happoshu or Magnum Dry. On a hot summer day when I have to have something ice cold, Asahi, Coke, Mitsui Cider or Oolong tea will do, but glorious smooth beer is great! Btw, I do not drink all that often, thus enhancing the celestial experience with quality beer!

Well now you're just talking crazy! Happoshu ain't beer - it's what rapists drink. I don't know what Magnum Dry is but I'm assuming it's similarly awful. I wasn't saying Dry is quality. It's just that some people (I'm looking at you here Kuro) were making out like it can't be enjoyed. And it can. If I order lunch in a place that only serves Dry I'm not complaining about it. Actually these days I brew my own. I don't think you're allowed to do that in Japan? I don't drink my own brew exclusively, but it's nice to sample.

[Deathblob]

I've gotten quite used to Namashibori. It's not I can get a microbrew around here for less than Y800 a bottle, which adds up to a significant amount of change pretty fast.

[Pinkerton]

If one is going to live on that razor's edge, I believe beer is a sound reason to do so.

I like all beer.

I am a sort of Rodney King of beers.

This seems the sort of thread that would benefit from the prescence of the King of Beers..........Shonai Ben.

i do enjoy hanging with royalty.

[Pinkerton]

I've gotten quite used to Namashibori. It's not I can get a microbrew around here for less than Y800 a bottle, which adds up to a significant amount of change pretty fast.

we should start brewing GP microbrew beer.

[Super Grover]

Well now you're just talking crazy! Happoshu ain't beer - it's what rapists drink. I don't know what Magnum Dry is but I'm assuming it's similarly awful. I wasn't saying Dry is quality. It's just that some people (I'm looking at you here Kuro) were making out like it can't be enjoyed. And it can. If I order lunch in a place that only serves Dry I'm not complaining about it. Actually these days I brew my own. I don't think you're allowed to do that in Japan? I don't drink my own brew exclusively, but it's nice to sample.

I know, I know. But some people who think beer is beer and just a beverage to consume on a hot day will settle for happoshu just as easily.
Magnum Dry http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/suntory...num-dry/16047/ http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/suntory-magnum-dry/12906/

I am calling the National Tax Agency! You have to pay tax on that home brew!

[kurogane]

Hasn't Dry been there for you? Hasn't it warmed the cockles of your heart when you were feeling cold & lonely. .

Ummmm, no, it hasn't..........but it warms my cockles that it has warmed yours.

At the end of the day, a beer is a beer is a beer is a beer is a beer. .

Now that's a program I can get on with. My point is simply, why would I settle for an Asahi when I genuinely enjoy an Yebeesue or a Sapporo, or a traditional Kirin?

I actually find a lot of Beer-ism rather phony. Not true and passionate afficionados like ShonBen and others............more the New Beer Bandwagon crowd.................and one of the band wagons that has been running longest is the Dry bandwagon. Asahi Sooper Dry and its popularity, esp. outside Japan reminds me of Foster's 80s sales juggernaut outside Australia, or most sushi in Vancouver for that matter:

IOW, take a rather mediocre product, sell it like the street corner whoor in Full Metal Jacket, and every other Tom, Dyck (D.ick is censored??? This site is anti-Richardite) and Mortimer will bang on until closing time about its rarified and delicate flavour..........yada yada yada.

Plus I used to bike past this old faded poster outside a dive in Shinimamiya with some babe in a bikini holding a 660 ml bottle of Dry & smiling. Sweetly. At me. With her bosoms.

As a fellow beer poster lover, I salute your evocative illustration, and raise a glass in appreciation.

Still, that is a bit like saying that you prefer fat chicks because the one you picked up that time at The HUB had a hot, cute friend with her that you fantasised you were doing after you and Plumpy got to the Rub Hotel.


And I believe we have a new joke:


Why are Mopeds and Asahi Super Dry like fat girls?

Well now you're just talking crazy! Happoshu ain't beer - it's what rapists drink.

I think we have quorum on that point.

People that drink Happoshu and claim it's a good as beer remind me of occasional skiers that claim all the new fat ski technology is a big marketing rip-off:

it isn't.

Drinking Happoshu and not admitting you do it because it's cheap is like playing with a wooden tennis racquet and claiming you could beat Pete Sampras with it.

[Pinkerton]

ok, the mods moved this thread so the title doesn't make sense any more. also, they moved it to 'offtopic' instead of the food section. not sure I understand the thinking there....

[Call_It_Like_Eye_See_It]

Get ready, people! The beer festivals are on the way!

Great Japan Beer Festival

The granddaddy of them all, the Great Japan Beer Festival (run by the Japan Craft Beer Association) allows aficionados around Japan to celebrate their love of beer, with events in Tokyo (June 2-3), Osaka (July 14-16), Nagoya (Aug. 4-5) and Yokohama (Sept. 15-17). It's certainly the biggest beer festival in Japan, with an expected combined attendance of 33,000 and with 120 to 240 types of beer served, depending on the location. Nagoya looks like the best bet, as it's cheaper and less crowded.
Though you get a 50 ml glass, you're not limited to the amount of beer you can taste — it's open season once you're inside. Try samples from breweries all over Japan, with some international representation. Tickets can be bought at any convenience store.
Entry \3,900-4,700. www.craftbeerassociation.jp.

And more....
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fg20120330d1.html

[edin日本]

Is there a place in Canada called Japan?

I believe they also call it Lethbridge Alberta. Lots of Nisei ranchers there.

[edin日本]

I know, I know. But some people who think beer is beer and just a beverage to consume on a hot day will settle for happoshu just as easily.
Magnum Dry http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/suntory...num-dry/16047/ http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/suntory-magnum-dry/12906/

I am calling the National Tax Agency! You have to pay tax on that home brew!

Only if he makes it in bulk.

[kurogane]

I believe they also call it Lethbridge Alberta. Lots of Nisei ranchers there.

..............but they used to be called Steveston Fisherfolk.................



Still, one of the few Canadian human rights F'Ups that wasn't Alberta's fault............



I wonder if Lethbridge has a local micro-brew????

Cow Puck Lager, anyone?

[Hijinx]

..............but they used to be called Steveston Fisherfolk.................



Still, one of the few Canadian human rights F'Ups that wasn't Alberta's fault............



I wonder if Lethbridge has a local micro-brew????

Cow Puck Lager, anyone?

Pronghorn Poo Porter

[kurogane]

Pronghorn Poo Porter

Bovine Ballsac Bitter????

[Shonai Ben]

Bovine Ballsac Bitter????

...............you mean moosehead?

[edin日本]

..............but they used to be called Steveston Fisherfolk.................



Still, one of the few Canadian human rights F'Ups that wasn't Alberta's fault............



I wonder if Lethbridge has a local micro-brew????

Cow Puck Lager, anyone?

Cow Puck Lager brewed by the same people who gave you Gastown Bilgewater Pilsner

[Super Grover]

..............but they used to be called Steveston Fisherfolk.................



Still, one of the few Canadian human rights F'Ups that wasn't Alberta's fault............



I wonder if Lethbridge has a local micro-brew????

Cow Puck Lager, anyone?

As a good Albertan having been to Lethbridge more times than I can count, I can answer this:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3618/3...e55_z.jpg?zz=1

The actual brewery is not a micro brewery, but since it is in Lethbridge, aside from the huge pick up trucks everywhere, isn't everything, micro? Incidentally, the brewery, up on the hill used to have (still does??) a beautiful garden. Along with the coulies and the High Level Bridge, it's an interesting landmark. Lethbridge, for people who enjoy the wind!!!

[Pinkerton]

Get ready, people! The beer festivals are on the way!

Great Japan Beer Festival

The granddaddy of them all, the Great Japan Beer Festival (run by the Japan Craft Beer Association) allows aficionados around Japan to celebrate their love of beer, with events in Tokyo (June 2-3), Osaka (July 14-16), Nagoya (Aug. 4-5) and Yokohama (Sept. 15-17). It's certainly the biggest beer festival in Japan, with an expected combined attendance of 33,000 and with 120 to 240 types of beer served, depending on the location. Nagoya looks like the best bet, as it's cheaper and less crowded.
Though you get a 50 ml glass, you're not limited to the amount of beer you can taste ― it's open season once you're inside. Try samples from breweries all over Japan, with some international representation. Tickets can be bought at any convenience store.
Entry \3,900-4,700. www.craftbeerassociation.jp.

And more....
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fg20120330d1.html

rock on! thank you for posting that. why haven't they updated since 2011?

[Call_It_Like_Eye_See_It]

rock on! thank you for posting that. why haven't they updated since 2011?

rock on like you get on!

no idea.... but let's look ahead to this summer!

[Genkii]