BeerFes名古屋2015

I had a wonderful time at BeerFes名古屋2015. This is a great event in which you have an opportunity to try a plethora of different beers. You can drink all you want for 4 hours. Most of the breweries that were showing off their beers where Japanese. There was also some foreign beers as well like Anchor Steam from the USA, Tiny Rebel from Wales, and Weihenstephan from Germany. Also, it was a pleasure meeting Japan Beer Times and Transporter Beer Magazine. Check out some of the photos from the event below. I tried over 25 different beers. Y.MARKET BREWING had some delicious offerings. Thank you to the breweries for making this event special.

World Beer Summit 2015 in Nagoya, Japan!

On Saturday, I went to the World Beer Summit in Sakae, Nagoya. At this event, you have the opportunity to try many different international beers. On this day, I tried a delicious Belgian strong ale called Lucifer and a hoppy West Coast IPA from Rogue Farms called 7 Hop IPA. To go with the beer, I ate a Nagoya classic, Taiwan ramen, a spicy bowl of noodles. Prices for beer at this event are affordable. A pint of beer ranges from 900 to 1000 yen. If you have time during the week, check this event out. The event runs until Sunday the 16th of August.

Apologies for the lack of content on this blog!!

I want to send my apologies to the readers of this blog.  I have not been updating this blog for a while now.  For up to date information on this blog, check out Craft Beer Chubu on Facebook and Instagram.  Make sure to follow these pages.  There is a plethora of current information on these pages.  Thanks.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! from Craft Beer Chubu!

 

Erin Go Brach!! Slainte!!

Here are some more reasons to drink craft beer!!

Enough said!!

Himmel Craftbeer and Meat: Japanese Craft Beer Bar in the Heart of Imaike!!

    The Imaike area of Nagoya has been rebounding lately in terms of its nightlife.  Years ago, Imaike was area that known for going out to different restaurants and drinking establishments.  However, times were not good for Imaike.  Many people started going to the flashier and newer hotspots that were popping in Sakae.  However in the recent years, there has been a resurgence of bars and restaurants in the Imaike area.

    Imaike is well known for Misen, the restaurant that started making the Nagoya favorite Taiwan ramen.  Also, there has always been a number of long time establishments in this area.  Recently though, there have a been number of newer establishments opening in this area of town.  Chicken Boy, the yakitori craft beer restaurant, opened a few years ago.  Also, Imaike Baru, a stylish Belgian beer bar, was started up about two years ago.  Plus, the Daiei got a much needed makeover recently.  In addition to these places, Himmel, a restaurant that specializes in craft beer and meat opened its doors.

     Himmel is a stylish modern craft beer bar that specializes in serving Japanese craft beers.  You can find a number of different of craft beer brands ranging from Swan Lake to Baird Beers to Nagoya's Y Market Brewing being served here.  Their beer menu changes on a regular basis.  I have a different number of craft beers of here and was quite impressed.

     The food program at Himmel served a range of number of dishes.  The portions tend to be on the smaller side.  All of their food seems to match well with the beer that they serve.  Some of their prices on their food are somewhat high considering the size of the dish.  Himmel is a good place to go for a small snack and a beer or an after dinner place.

      One of the highlights of Himmel is the design of the restaurant.  This restaurant is bright and modern.  The menus are written on huge chalkboards that are affixed to the walls.  The bar has a sleek wooden design with an interesting green leafy curtain.  Himmel is a very inviting place that has a nice Western feel to it.

      If you are in the Imaike area of Nagoya and are looking for a new place to drink, check out Himmel for some nice Japanese craft beers. 

     The Craft Beer Menu at Himmel

    The Food Menu at Himmel!

    The stylish bar at Himmel

Restaurant Name:  Himmel (ヒンメル）
Address:  Nagoya-shi Chikusa-ku Imaike 5-9-5
               名古屋市千種今池５−９−５
Access:  One minute from the Imaike Subway Station Exit. 7
Phone Number: 052-735-3370
Business Hours: 5:00pm to 11:00pm　Monday to Friday
                         3:00pm to 11:00pm   Sat., Sun., and Holidays
                         Closed on Thursdays

Top 10 Japanese Stouts and Porters

Recently, I have read an article by Men's Journal that listed their favorite twenty stouts. http://www.mensjournal.com/expert-advice/the-20-best-stouts-in-the-world-20150209 After reading the article, I was pondering what were the top ten Japanese stouts and porters.  In the recent years, I have been enjoying and, also from time to time, craving a decent poured stout.  I have tried some really good Japanese stouts and porters.  These are my Top Ten Japanese Stouts and Porters!!  There is no particular order.  I enjoy all of these beers equally.

Imperial Stout

Brewery: Minoh Brewery
ABV: 8.5 ABV

Pours a jet black with a foamy tan/brown head.  There are notes of coffee, chocolate, slight vanilla, slight chocolate, and roasted notes in the aroma.  This is a smooth full bodied beer. 

Imperial Stout

Brewery: Morita Shizo Kinshachi Brewery
ABV: 8.5%

Pours a nice black with a foamy off white head.  There are chocolate and roasted malt notes in the aroma.  This is a nice full body beer that is smooth and easy to drink.  This is a nice welcome surprise from Kinshachi.

Tokyo Black

Brewery: Yo-ho Brewery
ABV: 5%

Pours a nice rich black with a foamy tan head.  This is a nice well balanced beer that accentuates the hops with the roasted malt and chocolate notes.  For a canned beer, this is an excellent porter. 

Kurofune Porter

Brewery: Baird Beer
ABV: 6%

This is a nice medium bodied porter that has hints of bittersweet chocolate and coffee.  It is smooth easy drinking beer.

Sweet Vanilla Stout

Brewery: Sanktgallen
ABV: 6.4%

When opening the beer, you will notice the vanilla notes wafting from the beer.  There are heavy vanilla notes with some coffee and roasted malt in the background.  This is a nice creamy stout.

Kokuto Sweet Stout

Brewery: Sanktgallen
ABV: 6.5%

This is a refined stout that has hints of brown sugar, coffee, chocolate, and roasted malt notes. There is some sweetness that comes through.  This is due to the addition of the Okinawa brown sugar.  It is a light medium bodied stout.

Espresso Beer

Brewery: Niigata Brewery
ABV: 8%

When opening the beer, the aroma of coffee will be wafting throughout the room.  This beers pours a nice black with a nice thick foamy brown head.  The roasted malts and coffee are ever present in this one.  There is a hint of bitterness/sourness found in the beer.

Stout

Brewery: Echigo
ABV: 7%

This is a decent stout.  This reminds me of macro brewed stout.  This beer has a light roasted malt and chocolate taste to it.  The aroma is somewhat ashy and chalky.  Also, it is a little thin.  With all that being said, it is not a bad stout when considering the price.  It is quite affordable.

Espresso Stout

Brewery: Hitachino Nest
ABV: 7.5%

There are heavy coffee and bittersweet chocolate notes found in this beer.  It has a luscious medium body.  It is a smooth easy drinking stout.

Trinity Black

Brewery: Y Market Brewing
ABV: 7.8%

This is very interesting Belgian stout.  This is a full bodied stout that balances the hops and roasted malt quite well.  This is a spicy and somewhat fruity stout with hints of coffee.  This is a good example of what makes a good Belgian stout.

This is not a definitive list by any means.  I am always hunting for a stout or a porter to drink and enjoy.  If you know any stouts or porters that need some recognition, please share it in the comments section.