WEEK 221---Tokyo 2023--Zhusi & Kamakura

 

This is the final part of last year end trip to Tokyo--and it's about two places approximately an hour's train ride from Tokyo--though next to each other--Zhusi is basically a very local place while Kamakura is more of a famous tourists attraction--The trip here is basically for two craft beer places--one a small vegan restaurant i been coming to almost each trip when im in town while another is a newly opened taproom.

镰倉和逗子市距离東京大约一小时电车路程，两地之间也只是一个站的距离，其中镰倉是很多游客会去的点，这里的神社，大佛，江之岛电车路线，漫画迷会来拍照的海边铁道，夏天海滩冲浪等等都是吸引各地游客前来的景点，相较之下逗子市就是在地人的地方，一般来说外国旅客会想去的是镰倉不是这里。

Beach Muffin

Those who have came across my previous year's post about this place would know what this place is about--it's the "only taproom" for Kamakura based Japanese small brewery Yorrocco though this is essentially a vegan food place/restaurant but also the only exclusive taprrom for Yorocco in whole of Japan for many years.

It's been 4 years since i last visited this place but nothing much has changed really, the place look the same both outside and inside, only changes noticeable to me is that this is no longer exclusively Yorocco taproom as the brewery has opened up a taproom of their own at Kamakura since last year, another change here at Beach Muffin is that the place has got fridge now with cans/bottles selections from both Japanaese as well imported ones to either drink in or take out, something only happened not too long ago as the place has gottten the permit to do cans/bottles sale.

这是位于逗子市的一家卖食物蛋糕各类食材杂货的小小素食餐厅，为什么会来是因为从多年前开始这里就是镰倉在地酿坊Yorocco在全日本唯一的品饮室，自几年前来过一次之后，基本每次有到東京都会抽时间来这里坐坐见一下店主聊聊天然后再以非常适合这里舒适慵懒的居家方式慢慢的喝啤酒泵上的6个不同选酒。

四年没去，再重回旧地一切还是熟悉的感觉，跟店主夫妇见面问候聊聊天是愉快的，店里那种像是回到熟悉朋友家里的感觉还是如故，就像有一种莫名引力那样让人坐下来後就不想动，套句话说就是简直想要直接躺平。

If anything--although no longer exclusive taproom of Yorocco but the good thing is that if you want more choices other than just 1 single brewery then you can now.

I have been coming to Beach Muffin since some years ago almost everytime when im in town and without fail everytime when i come here, it's always staying here longer than i initially thought i would, this place is just so comfortable and relaxing that i don't mind just lazy around and stay longer, like i said before, this place don't feel like a bar, it's more like coming to an old friend's house and just chill and sip some beer....

啤酒选择方面，啤酒泵依然不变的还是6个，不过选酒有了一些变化，由于Yorocco不久前终于在镰倉开了自家品饮室，所以这里也不再只有Yorocco一家的酒而是多了些其他日本酿坊作品选择，另外就是餐厅取得了啤酒外带售卖准证所以多了一些冰柜瓶子罐子选择，更多不同酿坊作品选择对啤迷来说是个不错的转变，当然最重要的是餐厅/酒吧的氛围完全没有改变，几年没来这里还是那么的让人感觉自在舒适，一坐下来就很放松。

一如之前几次来访那样，原本是打算坐一会和店主聊聊天喝喝吃点东西後就离开前往下一站的镰倉但还是比预想时间多停留了一个半小时才动身，实际上这里并不是有着什么评酒APP或网站超高评分啤酒的地方，基本都是日本酿坊作品特别是Yorocco不同类型啤酒但就是莫名的有一种亲切感让人想坐久一些。

Yorocco Taproom Sasameza

Until this place came along--Yorocco have no own taproom( if those early days of opening on certain days at their small brewey not counted)--it has always been at Beach Muffin if you wanted to sip their beers and only theirs--over the years it's been easier to get Yorocco beers here and there at bars in and around Tokyo--but no exclusive taproom so to speaks.

This is a small bar opened at 1 of the streets of Kamakura--it's visible from the main road--housed in a uniquely designed wooden building which also have other shops not related to beer---this looks like a newly build building on either previously vacant land or rebuild from demolished old building as the street is full of older generation building compare to this rather modern one.

Walked from Kamakura station to the bar, took a bit of searching but it was not hard to find, was there slightly earlier than opening time so just waited at the wooden bench outisde. Once inside, it's a small bar with 8 taps, bar area has a small kitchen for light food(was pleasantly surprised by the handmade on the spot hammering of Schnitzel, freshly made hot and nice, in fact reordered another one), beer selection as 1 would expect it's basically Yorocco beers of various styles. Yes, these are not some highly hyped or big Untappd score beers, just some nice easy sipping locally brewed beer, but it's reason enough for me to want to travel from Tokyo, Zhusi and then here just to check out this new taproom by Yorocco, personally speaking i would say it's worth the trip. 

这是Yorocco酿坊几个月前开在镰倉一个“新区”的专属品饮室，说是新区其实也不对因为只是两栋木质建筑而且整条街都是旧的，品饮室所在位置比较像是旧房拆掉或空地新建设计感十足但用色低调木建筑，在整条大街两边都是传统旧式店屋中明显的与众不同。

从逗子市过来出了镰倉电车站就随意走走，去到品饮室时店员还在准备中，还好外头有木凳子可以坐着歇歇脚等开门营业。店面不大，进门就基本一眼看完，右手边是吧台啤酒泵和准备酒吧輕食的小厨房，座位不多但不是空间狭小拥挤那种，吧台上有8个啤酒泵都是自家不同类型啤酒选择，比较熟悉Yorocco作品风格的会知道酿坊以易喝型啤酒居多，从农场风格啤酒(Saison) 到浅啤/拉格（Pilsner/Lager）再到淡啤/印度淡啤（Pale Ale/IPA）都是比较常见的类型风格，或许听起来酒单不是那么火花四射但喝酒也不只是一定要追着大酒/高评分而去，轻轻松松喝些有一定水准新鲜在地酿坊作品也是很不错的。

Side Note

To travel about 2 hours to & fro via Tokyo just for 1 single brewery, what's more it's a brewery where their beers can be found in some bars in Tokyo itself does sound a little "wasteful" especially if you are travelling from abroad and don't have long holidays to spend time with, i do agree on that but personally it's totally worth the time and travelling first and foremost because of Beach Muffin, sitting there sipping beer and chatting with the owner Larry is a pleasure, not to mention how much i like the coziness of this place. 

As for the taproom at sasazame, it's worth a trip too if you are already planning to visit Kamakura for it's tourists attractions.

Personally i do agree that what's on tap or what's available in fridge in a bar can be the only deciding factor why one should visit a certain bar, but at times, people at the bar or the vibe/mood at a bar can also be a very important deciding factor on it's own.

侧记

或许有人会觉得其实東京有些酒吧也能找到Yorocco作品喝，没必要大老远跑到逗子市或镰倉去就只是为了喝单单一家在地酿坊啤酒，这观点很在理，其实要不要跑来逗子市或镰倉都只是个人感觉，从東京花两个小时来回只为了一家酿坊听起来并不符合海外啤迷的时间效益，不过有时候酒单也不是决定去哪一家酒吧喝的唯一考量，人和氛围也可以是想去某家酒吧的主要诱因。

WEEK 220---Most Memorable Beer & Mead 2023(2of2)--by CT(KL)

 

Final part of last year's most memorable list, as some of the ones listed here are from sharing sessions either here in KL or HK/Tokyo, i have long had this feeling that sometimes if you are fated to meet a certain bottle/can then somehow you will--that feeling was further enhanced with the bottles i have met last year.

Here's the list:-again numbering is just for counting purposes--nothing more.

去年是瓶子分享会次数不多但选酒质素有惊喜收获的一年，无论是在本地分享会还是年中/年底去了香港及日本和新旧啤迷朋友聚会中都有意料之外盛名难寻好酒出现，虽然说喝不喝得到某款特定大酒要看缘份的说法有点虚无缥缈，个人来说还是有点相信是那样因为有些酒是强求不来的。

1)Blue Suede Shews--Pips Meadery

Have heard of this highly regarded ONE since some years ago--it was talked about since this is 1 of very few ultimate mead bottles 1 or 2 of the KL tasting group guys view very highly--and finally last year in Tokyo--totally out of the blue--had this in a surprise share from a tiny bottle size of 175ml--while some might say it's just too small to share--personally something like a 20-30ml pour would be really good enough & be very very satisfied with what's coming through the nose and then palate--I have no idea how cashewnut blended in honey & blueberries can be so fxxking awesome--there is not a moment of doubt whatsoever why many regarded this as the Ultimate ONE from Pips--it's just so senses catching--the smell of cashewnut was crazy yet it was not overpowering the balance of this mead--basically can't describe in details how this went since pouring and then frist and more sips after--it's just something you will automatically go very slow, want to savour it and thankful for  the share.

使用蓝莓，腰果，以橙蜜为基底酿造的这款蜜酒是这家美国酿坊最被追捧的盛名作品，能在東京喝到这款限量作品实在是意外惊喜，去朋友家聚会前完全不知道原来他手中藏了那么一支大作，虽然是只有175ml的小巧瓶装版本，但这样级别的蜜酒其实只要有20-30ml就已足以让人慢啜细品回味无穷。

从开瓶到入杯，扑鼻而来的是腰果融和蓝莓橙蜜带来的出色醉人香气，入口是带有坚果气息的蓝莓蜂蜜风味，带甜是自然的但绝不单调也完全没有丝毫过甜或腻口问题，绝对是非常和谐美好的顶级蜜酒味蕾享受。

2)Gorsen/framboos 2022-Antidoot

Due to some rather annoying custom issues here and the fact that I need some bottles while in Tokyo last Nov--had my box of Antidoot sent from Brussels to my beer buddy's place prior to trip--cracked a few bottles of Antidoot of diffrent styles during my stay at different sharing sessions--from beer-barrel aged cider to beer-wine hybrid--of all that were shared in Tokyo--this one stood out for me personally--soaked in sour cherries & raspberries--this one was tasting relatively fresh with nice fruity aroma--sour with hints of light sweet on the palate--was very smooth sipping & enjoyable..

在東京开喝了好几支自己出发前几个月就从比利时寄去啤迷朋友家的一箱会员瓶子，其中以这款加入酸樱桃和覆盆子的作品最出色，非常明显果香气息中带出略微的酸甜口感，是第一口就会喜欢的富有层次易喝型作品。有别于比利时天然发酵酸啤（Lambic），这家虽然也是使用天然发酵方式酿造，不过因为所在地区分别，基酒更多时候是易喝型的农场风格啤酒（Saison）或比利时金黄淡啤（Golden Ale）担当，口感气息上没有Lambic的更显著的酸味和独特霉香，是更温和易喝的基酒，加入酸樱桃和覆盆子会带来果酸香但Antidoot作品从来就不是Lambic，新接触朋友要注意别先入为主觉得因为发酵方式是天然的所以就一定是Lambic。

3)Amakusa Fruited Sour Beer 

Banana Can-Filament-俺！おれオレ！

It was not until late last year in Tokyo at a few different bars that i have met with these fruited beers from a new brewery based in Kumamoto--3 different types of fruits used seperately in 3 fruited sours--Banana/Mango/Oranges--all 3 were tasting more like a thick fruited milkshake than a beer in a palate pleasing way--nothing cloying or thick til you sick type--had lighter ones from this same brewery-pale ale-ipas-hazies--all were fairly ok but not impressive--personally i like their fruied sours the most--will not hesitate to taste again should i see them or other fruited variants next time around.

去年底去東京发现的其中一家出色日本本土酿坊，三款不同水果风味的奶昔类型酸啤（香蕉芒果柑橘，其实都不酸，更像水果奶昔啤酒）都各有精彩，相比喝过的这家其他几款不同风格啤酒比如IPA，Pale Ale等，明显的水果奶昔（或者说果泥啤酒）玩的最让人留下印象，是那种虽然喝着啤酒但感觉更像是水果奶昔的感觉，而且三款不同水果的作品都各有千秋，同样的有趣好喝，是个人去年東京行新发现的出色日本酿坊之一。

4)BBT(Beer Barrel Time) 2023--Side Project

Thanks to the guys here--had the pleasure of tasting 2021 & 2022 version previously--though it's from the same brewery with the same name--each year's version will have some differences due to choices of barrels & treatment from the brewery--not here to do any sort of comparison among the 3 different year bottle--only wantt to say if you know how to appreciate a big stout--BBT of any year is one you don't want to miss out.

美国密苏里高手酿坊的年度重点作品（之一），之前也有幸在本地啤迷分享会喝过21年和22年版本，这次是23年版，虽然是同一款黑啤，但因为每个不同年度批次都有不同混酒比例和其他酒类酒桶选用差异，加上陈放时间的不同，每个不同年份的这款黑啤作品还是会有风味呈现微差或明显较大区别，虽是那样，可确定的是喜欢风味浓郁多变以及酒体浑圆黑啤的话，无论喝到哪个年份BBT都会是高水准作品。

5)Zen Y Frontera(batch 2 & 1)--3 Fonteinen

It was not something i would imagine having these 2 side by side at the same time--but it did happened during a share in HK last year thanks to a newly met beer geek friend who generously shared these two bottles--Had 1 of the 2 some years ago in a Copenhagen bar--it was so tasty we( shared with some geek friends who attended MBCC)were basically quite lost for words--to have the chance to revisit this old batch of Zen Y and not 1 but 2 was quite a Lambic holy moment to savour.

Both obviously were top notch Lambic--the balance of oak/wood/sourness/as well sherry casks brought about complexity--if i need to pick 1 over the other than it's batch 2 for it being more out-showing/slightly more direct than batch 1 which was very subtle but on another level for balance and smoothness.

多年前在哥本哈根“抢到”当时专卖吧最後一支可内用batch2作品，犹记得从第一口开始一起分享的啤迷朋友们就已经惊艳到不行，个人也认为是至今喝过比利时天然发酵酸啤中毋庸置疑最佳三款之一，由于这是市面上非常难找绝版作品，能在香港见啤迷朋友时分享会上同时喝到batch2加上batch1，虽说个人相信能不能喝到某款顶级作品有时还真要看缘份，但一次过可以喝到两款神级作品除了感恩还能说什么。

6)Papilio Raspberry sour--Vertere

Had this in a bar in Tokyo--a saison-ish fruited light beer from this rather hyped/highly regarded Japanese new brewery--also had some of their other styles of beer but this one was most memorable though this one was at times quite easy sipping and not with any strong fruity influence to impact on one's palate memory--it was quite memorable for it's subtleness.

另一款让人留下印象的日本酿坊作品，从某个层面上来说只是一款带有浅显覆盆子风味的易喝型啤酒，有趣的是，虽然不是那种网站高风评或让人一喝即刻惊艳的酒但就是回想时会记得当时口感风味表现的作品，或许有时候简单平实中见功力才是会让人留下印象的酒。

7)More Jasper than All Jasper--Other Half x Fidens

A collab brew from 2 of the finest hops brewery--putting each brewery's name sake series IPA (More Than x Jasper) together and work out a new variant--Had this one in KL during a share--it was flown in so still nicely fresh on the palate--a Triple ipa but was well made and balance--always a pleasure to have the chance for some well made fresh ipa here.

美国两大类果汁IPA高手酿坊的合酿，而且是前辈与后起之秀之间的合作，主轴是将前者的More Than系列和Fidens的Jasper系列酿造基底麦芽混合起来，并使用后者的酒花投放手法让合酿变成充满Citra啤酒花风味的类果汁作品，这是款三倍印度淡啤（Triple IPA），意思是酒精度更高（10度），虽然是在本地喝到但因为是美国直送所以酒花鲜香和IPA该有的甘甜苦涩都能嚐到，是好喝的一款。

Some worthy ones not listed in newspaper column 没列入报纸专栏的一些好酒：-

1)Cedar Kogan--ShigaKogen x Oxbow x Jester King

A rather interesting one shared by a geek friend in Tokyo--in fact while at the share this one prior to opening some at the share were a little hesitant about whether we should crack this one or another sour beer--well it was surprisingly nice--including to those who initially hesitated if we should crack--this is quite a nice barrel aged saison with some funkiness--certainly not 1 dimensional.uanwa

在东京分享会时，一起喝的朋友们对是不是要开这瓶保持观望态度--结果还是开了--大家反应是意外的有点惊喜--日本在地酿坊和两家美国酿坊的桶陈农场风格啤酒合酿--有层次好喝的。

2)Ariere Pays--Brasserie Auval

Had this rather hard to find bottle( not only in Asia but even in Canada itself it seems) in HK during a share--a barrel aged rustic ale--not a big or hyped beer--just an easy to drink bone dry low abv beer--it's my first ever beer from this long wanted to try brewery so worth a note.

亚洲难得一见（据说在加拿大本土也不是那么容易找得到）的酿坊易喝“干身”作品--在香港分享会上喝到的--不是什么高评分的大酒--之前就对这家酿坊相当好奇--终于喝到一款值得记录下。

3)Heritage Blend--Neon Cider

A friend brought this to share here in KL--didnt know it was actually made in HK-while the general perception on cider is that it's rather straight forward and easy to drink fermented apple juice and that's it--That's not true as a well crafted one can be anything but--this one was quite tasty and memorable.

之前在香港小住过一段时间的本地酒友带来分享的瓶子--这款作品绝对可以打破一般人对苹果酒只是发酵酸甜果汁的偏见--均衡易喝有层次。

4)Existence is Passion--Second City meadery

Had this one in KL thanks to a beer buddy who kindly share this during a steak lunch meet up--A black currant mead added with vanilla & passion fruit--this one was amazingly nice--the blend of those 3 adjuntcs with honey made this one quite a memorable one after the most impressive Sichuan Peppercorn varaint.

本地酒友分享的美国蜜酒酿坊又一出色作品--这次是黑加仑子+香草+百香果--非常不同于之前一期让人惊艳的四川麻辣作品--这款均衡香甜，是让人舍不得大口喝的佳酿。

WEEK 219---Most Memorable Beer & Mead 2023 (1of2)---by CT ( KL)

 

It's customary of this blog to write about every year's most memorable beer ( and mead too)--this is my list for last year--though a little late as we are now into March 2024 but this is a casual blog so there's no strict deadline anyway.

This is part 1 of 2 as there's limited space for newspaper column--along with what's written for the column there shall be a few worthy ones not included in the newspaper pieces--as always the numbering is just for counting purposes--not meaning to indicate first/second/third choices whatsoever.

又是新一年，刚过去的2023年瓶子分享会次数不多，特别是和几位本地啤迷朋友聚会更是成局以来最少的一年，不过久违的去了一趟香港/東京跟旧相识/新遇到啤迷朋友们聚聚，高素质选酒很大程度上弥补了本地分享次数少缺憾，去年最有印象酒单不同酿坊啤酒蜜酒选择可说是有惊喜有收获的一年。

以下是2023喝过最有印象啤酒/蜜酒清单，没有排名先后，顺序只是随意。

1) Sparkling Mead--Two Meter Tall

Had this farmhouse/saison-ish sparkling mead which actually taste and feels more like a naturally fermented saison--at a bar in SheungWan Hong Kong--had a few other style beer from this Australian small brewery before but this particular one was a pleasant surprise--partly due to the name suggesting a light sparkling mead--meaning probably more to a melomel/light mead than a slightly sourish sparkling easy to sip saison--quite like this one.

香港上环一位啤迷朋友专卖吧喝到的澳洲小酿坊作品，说来有点奇妙因为小酿坊批量不多所以在澳洲本土这家的酒并不容易找到，这款集合酸啤，农场风格和轻蜜酒于一瓶的作品让人刮目相看，稍带气泡酒口感也让整体表现加分，是易喝有层次的综合性作品，如果看到酒名称就直观的认为一定是甜味气泡蜜酒那就错了，作品整体表现远远超出了只是发泡蜜酒的偏见。

2)Father of Filberts--Horus

if you like hazelnut--this one is full of it from the moment the bottle was cracked and poured--very intense nice smell of those goodness from those nuts--although body of the beer on the whole is rather thin for my personal preference--but no harm done--it's still a nice adjunted stout--and gets better after getting warmer.

酿坊黑啤中有不少是加入榛子作品，无论是不是酿酒师个人偏好，榛子黑啤可说是这家酿坊的招牌作品之一。去年初本地分享会中喝到这款就是榛子香味气息爆发作品，虽然个人喜好来说酒体不够厚实是缺憾，但从一入杯就满满榛子气息可说凭一己之力弥补了一切，那种霸道直面而来的香味很美妙，除非对坚果敏感，不然不可能不会喜欢这么满腔满鼻都被充斥的榛子美味攻击。

3) C'est La Vie--SongBird

A saison from an up and coming Japanese brewery based in Chiba--in fact had a few other styles of beer from this small brewery--from Belgian style wit beer to biere de garde as well slightly heavier ones--this one very obviously stood out as the most pleasing personally with it's oak and sour plum like taste and character in a rather balanced way--would not hesitate to try again if i see one next time.

近期受到懂的啤迷朋友关注的日本千叶县小酿坊，去年尾到東京时有机会喝到几款不同作品，从较倾向比利时旧式风格的作品到法国易喝型餐桌酒再到农场风格啤酒作品，虽然不是每款都对味或让人想喝第二次，但这款Saison是明显出色的，橡木桶气息加梅果风味让人喝得愉悦，是有机会想再试的作品。

4)Pruim-Reine Clude 2019--Bokke

Brought this one to share in Hong Kong last year--as Covid related situation affected the production of Bokke(there's not been any new releases for a 2 years period if im not wrong)--so it was nice to be able to share this one with old & new geek friends in HK--3 types of  plums were added to the lambic--blend of oak barrel and aroma from the fruits--this one was quite smooth to the palate.

从吉隆坡带去香港分享的比利时混酒小作坊天然发酵酸啤，因为近两三年特别是疫情期间酿酒师基于各种因素影响没有新作品面世所以任何一支啤迷能找到或已在手上的都弥足珍贵。在旧葡萄酒木桶中加入三款采自法国和比利时不同果园的成熟李子浸泡提味，作品呈现的是结合李子果味和吸收葡萄酒旧桶风味的酸啤，入口有果香，酸味适中，整体表现均衡可取。

5)Help Me Ease My Mind--Troon

The somewhat hyped NEIPA brewery from the states--a new beer geek friend i met in Hong Kong has got direct supply of this small brewery--though i have said that NEIPA is not really my beloved style of beer but as long as they are balance and not overly cloying then all is good--this one was rather nice--nothing mind blowing--but nice nonetheless.

可说是市面上难求的美国小酿坊类果汁印度淡啤，去看酿坊Instagram的话每次有新酒出来都是有点像是跟不是会员或住酿坊附近有机会喝到的啤迷说“是的，又有新酒出现，不过都很快完售了”。在香港分享会上喝到的，新认识香港啤迷朋友有酿坊从美国直达通道，虽说个人最喜欢啤酒风格并不是强调啤酒花鲜香表现的印度淡啤或类果汁分支，但遇到均衡好喝IPA/Hazy IPA也会喝得开心，认识已久的啤迷朋友说作品有成名已久近年作品有点变味美国高手酿坊早期作品的细腻美好风味再现，是认同的。

6)Derivation batch 15--Side Project

Until some 3-4 years ago--any big stout from the like of Side Project in KL was rather hard to come by--what's more when a bottle such as Derivation came knocking thanks to a new geek friend who asked for a share. From first sip when it was still fairly cold for my liking it was already showing what a thick and tasty stout this can be--obviously got better as it warms up--truly enjoyed this one.

在本地分享会喝到的美国高手酿坊Side Project难寻盛名系列黑啤，难寻是因为只有限量会员们能买到，然后也基本只能在密苏里品饮室有限量瓶子可内用，能在遥远的吉隆坡开喝这款黑啤还真让人惊喜。从开瓶入杯第一口在酒还稍嫌过冻没有完全苏醒过来情况下，厚实的口感和浓郁气息就已经宣告了这支黑啤的实力所在，在逐步回温後美味程度也提升，盛名在外的确不是没道理的。

7)Existence is Numbing--Second City

This is one of the most unique mead i have had so far--in terms of what was used as adjunt--the name does give a big big clue--Numbing--it was Sichuan Peppercorn--yes--both spicy & numbing at the same time--if you eat Mala Hot Pot then you know what im saying--but this is in a mead--which to many is supposed to be sweet and nothing much elses(obviously NOT)--this one was so well made it caught me by surprise--in a big pleasant way. This was really unique--1 of the best mead i have had last year( along with another totally different one--to be written in Part 2)

说起蜜酒，几乎所有人的第一反应就是“甜死人吧？”，确实蜜酒是使用蜜糖为酿造基底，所以会让人觉得蜜酒一定是甜味是可以理解的事 。不过，这款使用花椒入酒的作品很不一样，是会让对蜜酒有刻板认知的人大跌眼镜一款，让味蕾享受蜜糖结合黑加仑酸香和香草风味同时带来麻辣感受，没错是麻辣火锅那种麻辣而且花椒香气很出色，以一款美国蜜酒作品来说，这是很特别的一款，更是出色的一款，是个人去年喝到最特别的一款蜜酒（另外还有一款完全不同风味的蜜酒--下期再聊）。

to be continued......未完待续

WEEK 218---Tokyo 2023--Takadanobaba-Mejiro-Ikebukuro

 

This is the continuation of my last Nov trip to Tokyo--in fact this is the last one about Tokyo bars--with another article about Zhusi & Kamakura in due course:-

去年11月的東京行酒吧最後一篇--这之后会有一篇是关于逗子市和镰倉的。

Takadanobaba

Takadanobaba Beer Shokudo

This is the JR station i would pass by everytime when in Tokyo on way to Mejiro( 1 station further up)--sandwiched between Shinjuku & Ikebukuro, Takadanobaba is not a station i thought of stepping out and have a look since there is no obvious tourist attractions except maybe for 1 of the best(if not the best) Tonkatsu Narikura located here some years ago where people would come in droves( including many tourists) to line up for a meal (that shop has since closed down and move to another area of Tokyo).

This is basically a place known for it's many Universities both for locals & overseas students--the reason why finally decided to come here is obvious--saw fellow beer geek posted about this place--went to the bar's social media page to have a look and thought perhaps i should come have a beer or two here--of course it helps that they list out what's on tap for the day.

It's rather easy to find--out from JR station--keep left and walk across street to a "business alley" with a big signage as shown in the photo above--walk straight down the alley and this bar/restaurant is on the left hand side. As i have already had early dinner so the first thought when inside is to pick a seat at the bar area--but was quickly stopped by the bar tender explaining the bar seats were already booked--was asked to sit at table area and given time limit of no more than 2 hours--so if planning to visit this place--best to book in advance regardless if just for beer or dine and drink.

It's a cosy place despite the early "hiccup" with 10 taps--mostly Japanese breweries choices with some in trend ones--had the GreenCheek + Uchu collaboration hazy brew here--as well Amakusa on tap and can--yes there is a small fridge with cans and bottles selection--including occasional Cantillon. A place I would like to revisit come next trip to Tokyo--this time for both beer & food.

高田馬場

Takadanobaba Beer Shokudo

高田馬場站位于JR山手线两大闹区新宿和池袋中间，除了几年前因为一家被誉为全東京首屈一指的炸猪排店成藏（已搬去阿佐谷）引来人群，并不是游客会涌现的区，这里有很多大学（早稻田大学就在附近），语言学校和预备学校，是東京出名的大学生/留学生集聚地，过去在東京经常搭车经过这里时并没有想过要下站走走看看，这次因为发现有这么一家酒吧所以总算来了。

酒吧位置不难找，从车站出口往左过马路看到一条商店街直走不远就是，从店名有食堂字眼可看出这是家餐酒吧，可惜到之前刚吃了一顿饱就没能在这里用餐，从一坐下服务生递上毛巾（而且事先问要冷还是热的）然后再捧上一小盘美味小吃可看出这里不只是单纯让人来喝酒的地方。

进入餐酒吧时因为看到吧台有空位，而且也不打算用餐，很自然的就直接坐到吧台位置，结果被服务生礼貌的要求坐到其他位置去，因为吧台位置已经有人预约，而且给坐的位置被告知最多只能逗留大约2个小时。

餐酒吧有10个啤酒泵版本选酒，有日本人气酿坊和进口欧美啤酒选择，也有一个两门式冰柜，日本在地酿坊作品之外细看的话也收着两款不是普通版本的Cantillon酸啤，整体来说当天选酒质量相当不错，会是下次去東京可以再访的一家。

Mejiro

Tanakaya

For those who know--this is a station almost every beer geek in town would come to--for the obvious reason that there is a bottle shop here within a few steps walking distance away left of the JR station--this is not a purely beer only bottle shop--in fact they have more hard liquor than beer--but what this shop has in store is good enough for beer geeks to want to come check it out especially if you are in need of some Lambic-- you can easily find bottles from Cantillon-3Fonteinen-Tilquin-Boon and many more everytime you walk in. Of course there are many more other beer styles--US & Europe--as well Japanese breweries choices to be picked.

In fact this would always be my first stop in the earlier years of coming to Tokyo--just to see what's available for take out--it kind of help to plan what to drink at other places and what to buy from here either to drink at hotel or just bring back home.

目白

Tanakaya

高田馬場上去一站就是目白，再上去就是池袋站。目白也不是一般游客会到的区，不过对懂的啤迷来说这里是不少海外啤迷必定到访的站，为的就是出站左转走几步就到的地下一层瓶子店 “田中屋”。其实这里并不是啤酒专卖店，因为店里占更多的是其他烈酒类（比如日本威士忌还有日本清酒等等），啤酒只是店里业务一部份，但只是这样也已经足以在啤迷心目中占有重要位置，选酒质量特别是长期都能找到多家不同酿坊比利时天然发酵酸啤（Lambic ）包括不定期出现的Cantillon常态或特定款是其中一个主要诱因，当然店里还有其他欧美酿坊以及日本在地不同酿坊作品选择。

这里只提供外带不能在店内开喝，对想知道有什么可以买的啤迷来说是个理想的观察站，实际上个人早期到東京时，每次都会在第一天就先来看看这里有什么瓶子/罐子选择然后再决定之后几天在東京去不同酒吧时要喝什么或不喝什么，还有就是需不需要买点什么在酒店或坐公园河边时野餐式喝一点，最後当然是要买些什么作品带回吉隆坡。这次虽然旅程很后期时才去看看，不过还是不能不买的带了几瓶比利时天然发酵酸啤回来.

Inkhom Brewing

Located on the right side of Mejiro Station with a bit of walking but also fairly easy to find since it's straight down the main road--came here to meet my Tokyo beer buddy who is an American living here and into brewing his own beer--so it make sense to come to this up and coming Japanese brewery's small taproom--you can see the breweing facilities from the taproom-- it's basically a standing bar with 10 taps--basically all but 1 are their own beers which also make sense--it's mostly IPA or easier drinking styles--had a few--no pleasant surprises but also very importantly no shocker.

Inkhom Brewing 

这是一家新晋日本在地酿坊品饮室，从目白站右转走路大约10分钟左右可到，会过来看看是因为有玩自酿的住東京美国啤迷朋友约在这里，品饮室是站立式小酒吧，因为是开放式空间马路边上就能看见全貌感觉还不错，10个啤酒泵上选酒基本都是自家作品，以类果汁印度淡啤和一些易喝性高作品为主，当天喝到几款啤酒来说水平不过不失，没有惊喜然后最重要的是也没有惊吓。

Ikebukuro

Cycad Brewing

Came here with my buddy after the Mejiro visit--so timing wise it was a little late and we already had a few beers earlier--so this was a fairly shorter visit than say if coming fresh from dinner--This is an up and coming Japanese brewery with their own taproom--the space here is bigger than the earlier taproom we went to--also can see brewing facilities from the bar area--ordered easy drinking styles of beer so did not get to sample some of their other styles--would probably come back for a more "proper" visit if someone suggests to meet here next time im in town.

池袋

Cycad Brewing 

位于西池袋的另一家日本在地酿坊品饮室，跟美国啤迷朋友试过目白那家後直接过来，酒吧明显的比较宽敞也有座位，这里也是有10款啤酒泵作品选择，以当天喝到易喝型作品来说水平相当不错，不过因为时间关系没能试其他类型作品是个小小遗憾，只能留待下次去東京时再探。