Craft Beer Tours in Japan

July 15, 2023July 22, 2023 kansaiclikkerLeave a comment

Keeping it short for now. If you’re looking for a craft beer tour in Japan, here are a few companies that conduct various tours around the country. If you’re coming from abroad or already in-country, you’ll surely find something for your desires.

Magical Trip: Magical Trip offers craft beer tours in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Their knowledgeable guides take you to hidden craft beer bars and breweries, providing insights into Japan’s beer culture. Website: Magical Trip
True Sake: Although primarily focused on sake, True Sake also offers specialized tours in Tokyo that include craft beer tastings. Their knowledgeable staff will guide you through the city’s craft beer scene while providing a unique perspective. Website: True Sake
Arigato Japan: Arigato Japan offers food and drink tours in several cities, including Tokyo and Osaka, that feature craft beer tastings and visits to local breweries. Their experienced guides provide cultural and historical insights alongside the beer experience. Website: Arigato Japan
Japan Wonder Travel: Japan Wonder Travel offers private and group craft beer tours in Tokyo and Osaka. Their tours provide opportunities to explore the local craft beer scene, taste different beer styles, and learn about the brewing process from knowledgeable guides. Website: Japan Wonder Travel
InsideJapan Tours: InsideJapan Tours offers customized tours throughout Japan, including craft beer-focused itineraries. Their knowledgeable guides can tailor your trip to include visits to craft beer bars, breweries, and beer festivals based on your preferences. Website: InsideJapan Tours

Please note that availability and specific tour offerings may vary, so it’s advisable to check their respective websites for the most up-to-date information and to book your preferred tour in advance.

Embark on a craft beer tour with these tour companies to discover the rich flavors and cultural experiences that Japan’s craft beer scene has to offer. Cheers and enjoy your beer exploration in Japan!

Kyushu Craft

April 24, 2023April 25, 2023 kansaiclikkerLeave a comment

Kyushu, the third-largest island in Japan, is a destination that offers visitors a wide range of attractions. From the lush, green forests of Yakushima to the ancient temples of Fukuoka, there is something for everyone. But what many visitors may not know is that Kyushu is also home to a growing craft beer scene that is gaining popularity both locally and internationally.

Craft beer has exploded in popularity in Japan over the past few decades, with microbreweries popping up in cities and towns all across the country. Kyushu is no exception, with a number of small breweries and taprooms that are producing some of the country’s best craft beer.

We find Shiroyama Brewery in the Shiroyama Hotel, a beautiful place to stay in the heart of Kagoshima City, Kagoshima. I wrote about it years ago and the beers keeps getting better and better!

At the other end of the island in Fukuoka we can find Fukuoka Craft Brewing. They feature a variety of beers that will surely find their way onto everyone’s top ten list!

Fukuoka as has Fukuoka Craft in the heart of the city which also features food, Mexican food, that pairs great with their beers and other drinks.

For those looking for a more immersive craft beer experience, there are a number of beer festivals that take place throughout the year in Kyushu. One of the most popular is the Beers of Japan Festival, which takes place in Fukuoka starting this Friday!. The festival features many great beers from breweries all across Japan, as well as food and live music.

In addition to the great beer and food, visitors to Kyushu can also enjoy the beautiful natural scenery that the island has to offer. Whether it’s hiking through the forests of Yakushima or soaking in a hot spring in Beppu, there are plenty of ways to relax and unwind after a day of exploring the craft beer scene.

In the end, if you are a craft beer enthusiast or just love to try new things, Kyushu is a must-visit destination. With a number of excellent breweries, taprooms, and festivals, there is something for every beer lover to enjoy. And with the added bonus of beautiful scenery and delicious food, it’s the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation. So why not plan your next trip to Kyushu and discover all that this incredible island has to offer?

IPAs in Japan

March 30, 2023March 30, 2023 kansaiclikker1 Comment

IPA beer has become a popular beer style around the world in recent years, and Japan is no exception. The craft beer scene here has been growing rapidly in recent years (with even major breweries getting into what they believe to be the action). IPAs have become a staple of many Japanese craft breweries.

IPA, or India Pale Ale, is a beer style that originated in England in the 19th century, but possibly even going back even farther. It is characterized by a strong hop flavor and high bitterness, which is achieved through the use of a large amount of hops during the brewing process. The style was originally developed to survive the long journey from England to India, where it was popular with British expatriates.

In Japan, the craft beer scene has been growing rapidly in recent years, and IPAs are a mainstay of many, if not all, Japanese craft breweries. These craft breweries have taken the traditional IPA style and added their own unique twist to it, using local ingredients and brewing techniques to create their own distinctive flavor profiles.

One of the unique characteristics of Japanese IPAs is the use of local hops. In recent years, Japanese hop farmers have been working to develop new hop varieties that are suitable for the country’s climate and soil conditions. These new hops have unique flavor profiles that are different from the traditional hops used in IPAs, giving Japanese IPAs a unique taste.

Japanese craft breweries also use a variety of other local ingredients in their IPAs. For example, some breweries use yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit, to add a citrusy flavor to their beers. Others use green tea, wasabi, or other local ingredients to create unique flavor profiles that are distinctly Japanese.

One example of a Japanese IPA (India Pale Ale) beer is “Hitachino Nest White Ale” by Kiuchi Brewery. This beer has a distinct hoppy flavor with notes of orange, coriander, and spices, and is brewed with wheat malt and a unique Belgian yeast strain. It has an alcohol content of 5.5% and is commonly found in many bars and restaurants in Japan and other countries. Some may not think of this as an IPA and more of a Belgian Wit. If you get a chance, try one and see.

Friday Night Beer; Saturday Night…

June 8, 2022June 11, 2022 kansaiclikkerLeave a comment

…Not beer. Maybe something else since I am writing this a bit before the evening.

Last night there was a quick stop at my local pub where I enjoyed a good old Suruga Bay Imperial IPA from Baird Beer along with their Shuzenji Heritage Helles. They really hit the spot hard after my most recent dry spell.

Redbubble designs have been piling up but I think this new batch are pretty good. I really like the dinosaur one and part of every sale will go to my nephew who brainstormed the idea with me.

Any Weekend Where I Get Sleep Is a Good Weekend

February 7, 2022February 7, 2022 kansaiclikkerLeave a comment

And thus, the weekend was. I got sleep. I enjoyed that sleep along with some very nice food my family made and bread I baked. Yes, we’re still doing quarantine bread.

Beer was drunk. I had a nice Aooni IPA on Saturday and a cheap, but refreshing Radler on Sunday. Friday’s White Russian really was disappointing but that was my fault. With very little Kahlua it was more of a vodka and milk which was simply wrong. But that’s just me.

The bread was this carefree attempt at something I saw on TikTok months ago. It has four ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast. Just mix it, let it rise over night, knead it in the morning, and bake for an hour—quite simple. Shaping it better is my plan next time. This time it came out either cute or terrifying depending how you view smileys.

Redbubble is getting a great response but I still need more sales. if you’ve read this far, please check out the designs below and recommend them to your friends…and buy some yourself of course.

A Beer! A Beer on a Saturday!

December 6, 2021December 6, 2021 kansaiclikkerLeave a comment

Yes, it was a relaxing weekend where I got some things done, quite a lot actually, and rewarded myself with a beer Saturday night.

The beer was a Captain Crow Extra Pale Ale by Oh La Ho Beer. This is a widely available beer out of Nagano and the price is on point. It’s hoppy but not excessively so. It’s the kind of brew I would choose to have everyday if I could only drink one for the rest of my life. Along with Yona Yona Ale, where the price and flavor is similar, I’ve got two of my favorite anytime beers in Japan.

As for the rest of the weekend, I got Christmas shopping mostly done and a bunch of new Redbubble designs uploaded and set up. The Year of the Tiger is coming up so I’m focusing on that right now.

Friday Shouldn’t Be Like This, But It Totally Should

November 12, 2021November 12, 2021 kansaiclikkerLeave a comment

I left the house in the dark to catch a bus and train and get to school to prepare for four classes. Did things work out? Mostly. I felt like an abused substitute for one class but compartmentalizing my time keeps me from carrying any of that over to other classes—that and general professional maturity.

I rushed back to the resource center for an English festival with some truly inspired performances by students who have only been studying English seriously for a few years—a few months only in a few cases.

Then the workday came to a close as they all should and I headed to the Cricketer’s Beer Club for a lovely pint of BrewDog’s Hazy Jane IPA. I had the bottle a few weeks back but this New England IPA is even better on tap. I would say it’s in my top ten of beers.

I followed the BrewDog with a Tambaji Beer English Pale Ale. It’s a local microbrewery an hour or so north of Takarazuka. I like English pale ales but this one, though good and true to the style, had a bit more of a carbonation bite than I prefer. I would love to try more of their beers once the local beer festivals really get going again.

So it’s finally the weekend and I feel I’ve earned a rest. But Redbubble Needs attention and her are my latest designs. The funny thing is, my latest sales are in older designs from a year ago. It goes to show that some designs get quick and immediate attention and some slowly simmer.