一年结束新一年要到，人们总会回顾，展望。
以CRAFT BEER的方式做回望前瞻会是不错的方式。邀请了5位朋友来聊聊他们2013喝过让人回味的啤酒，也顺便聊下2014年可能对什么瓶子有期望，想法。
As we step closer to the new year, thought this is the craft beer way of saying goodbye to 2013, welcoming 2014, by inviting some of my friends to write about memorable beers they have had in 2013, as well as some wishes or thoughts about what beers ahead...
5个人，不同背景，不同口味，其中4位都在吉隆坡，不过4位之中，2位是本地人，1位是比利时人，1位是美国人，另外一位朋友是在东京常住的英国人。
今天开始的第一位就是来自英国的NEIL。他是音乐人，也写关于东京CRAFT BEER的BLOG，更是喝过很多佳酿，特别是比利时啤酒。
There will be 5 different friends, each with different back ground, as well some what different taste in beers providing their list, out of the 5 friends, 4 are from KL( 2 locals, 1 American, 1 Belgian), and 1 from Tokyo(an Englishman).
The list is NOT a top of the chart or top ten kind of thing, it is just a way of recalling some beers, as well as looking forward to drinking some new/same beers again in the next 12 months.
First up is Neil from Tokyo.
Neil is a Blogger, Musician & beer lover particularly the Belgium brews. An Englishman based in Tokyo where craft beer scene is booming. Prior to moving east, Neil was savouring lots of good beers in London where he originated, as well travelling regularly to many parts of Belgium for what else but awesome Belgium beers.
here's the list from Neil in his own words:-
This was something I had wanted to drink
for a long time, but due to the fact that it is only available in one shop in
Denmark and for a very short time each year, I suspected that I would never get
the chance. Thankfully, at the Ratebeer Japan Gathering 2 earlier this year one
of the Danish attendees brought a bottle (thanks Sune!). So, it was a small
serving, on the same day as many other beers, and a day which I started with a
hangover, but it was glorious. Everything I had hoped for. Unfortunately, that
will probably be the only chance I ever have to drink it.
#这是比利时啤酒特有的酸口味特酿，以果酸为主，统称Lambic beer。本地能找到为数不多的类似啤酒。
One of the surprising highlights of my
summer trip to Belgium. An old fashioned beer style being made by some young
new brewers. I was sharing a bottle with my friend, and after we finished we
decided that the perfect follow up beer was another bottle of the same thing.
That is something of a rarity for me, as I usually like to try as many
different things as possible, but this beer at that time was just perfect. I
hope I can try it again on my next trip in January.
#这是旧式新酿的酸口味赤色啤酒。是比利时酿酒师的拿手好戏之一。
As CT has said, this beer really stood
out on a night of very special and heavy beers. I think it would have really
stood out on an evening of Saisons too, as it was really something quite special.
I am a big Saison fan, whether they are traditional Belgian ones, like Saison
Dupont, or some of the more experimental stuff coming from the US or Denmark.
We could do with a few more breweries in Japan making them I think.
#Saison是旧时欧洲农场在冷天季节酿来准备夏天解暑喝的啤酒。一般都是以清凉爽口为主，有些会口感比较单薄。不过LOST ABBEY的这瓶子感觉很圆满。
A beer that many people have been
saying is not as good this year, although there are also those who say it is
just as good as last year. I am in a third category. I drank this last year and
liked it. I drank it this year and thought it was amazing. One of the best
Japanese beers I have ever drunk. The only problem is that it is a big DIPA, so
I can't drink loads of it. People mentioned stinky tropical fruits, and I know
what they are saying, but I really liked that aspect. Looking forward to next
years version already.
#日本CRAFT BEER近年很活跃，好多地方都有酿酒师制作新味。志贺高原的这支IPA根据NEIL的说法是很好味的一瓶。
Koenji/Ogikubo
As I
referred to above, as a bit of a beer ticker on Ratebeer I like to try new
things as much as I can. I also fall into the usual Ratebeer cliche of really
liking Imperial Stouts and IPAs. However, recently I think I may have been
changing my mind about this. The Japanese beer scene is exploding, but is still
relatively small compared to other countries and finally I am kind of catching
up with it, so now I can enjoy beers that I have drunk before without feeling
like I am missing out on new ticks. Koenji Bakushu Kobo and their newly opened
branch Ogikubo Bakushu Dojo are brewpubs on the Chuo line in Tokyo. There is
also a branch in Asagaya, but I haven't enjoyed their beers as much, although
they are still nice. They do not brew crazy high alcohol stouts or ultra hoppy
IPAs. What they do brew is good tasty beers that I want to drink over and over.
They are normally around 5% and the prices are pretty good for Tokyo. This is
one of the places I have been to most this year. I don't want to pick a
particular beer as they are always tweaking the recipes. It's just an all round
good place.
#这是乘搭JR中央本线就可达，NEIL蛮喜欢的东京酒吧。。
to be continued.......more beers and thoughts from Neil in part 2 & part 3.
