WEEK 235--chit chat with 'UM"-- on Bangkok craft beer scene

 

Bangkok is slightly over 2 hours flight from KL hence it's rather natural in the early years when Mikkeller Bangkok was bringing some first time beer list(the likes of Three Floyds-Hill Farmstead-Superstition meadery and more) into this part of the world that Bangkok has inevitably played an important part in my earlier craft exploration.

曼谷是个人早期探索craft beer途中东京之外另一个重要的亚洲城市，当时名噪一时的美国酿坊Three Floyds还以及亚洲首次出现的Hill Farmstead迷你占领啤酒泵活动都在曼谷，这次找了Duke of Beerington的Um聊聊这些年的曼谷情况：-

Last went to Bangkok early last year and has yet to visit since--this week's piece is a casual chit-chat with 'UM" -owner of Duke of Beerington-- generally on craft scene over the years in Bangkok.

*answers in English by "UM" -while Chinese wriiten by ct.

1) When & how did you discover the world of craft beer?

- On a work trip to Stockholm back in probably late 2013 or early 2014.

1）是在何时/什么情况下接触到craft beer? 

大概是2013年底或2014年初因为工作去斯德哥尔摩时接触的。

2) What was your impression initially? 

-It was tasty and different. Since beer has always been my number one go-to alcoholic drink, I was very excited and wanted to know and experience more.

2）接触後最初的印象是？ 

美味，很不一样，因为2啤酒是个人的酒类饮料第一选择，这一发现让人想要探索更多。

3) How was Bangkok's craft beer scene when you first encounter? (When was it?)

-The market was still dominated by German and Belgian imported beers with limited American options back in those days, probably around 2013-2014. Mikkeller Bangkok was just opened, I think, and homebrewing movement just started maybe around the same time or slightly earlier.

3)  最初接触到的曼谷的craft beer市场情况如何？

德国和比利时啤酒是最初占据市场的进口类型，加上少数美国啤酒选择。2013-2014年左右曼谷米吧开始营业，本土自酿风潮也逐渐开始。

4) What's your view in terms of imported breweries scene in Bangkok over the years?

-It's evolving all the time; there have been some highs and lows over the years. A few importing companies went out of business during and after COVID-19 but Bangkok has seen and still have interesting imported breweries available.

4）这些年来曼谷进口啤酒市场有什么变化？ 

市场一直在变更中，过去时间曼谷市场见过高低潮，有进口公司受新冠疫情影响或期间或之后结束营业，不过总的来说曼谷市场过去和现在都有精彩的进口啤酒选择。

5) What are some of the challenges faced by the local craft beer industry?

-Laws and taxes.

5）市场一直以来面对着什么样的挑战？ 

法令条文以及酒税。

6) What might be some measures that can improve the scene be it from craft community itself or outside factors including Government policies?

-The Thai House of Representatives passed an alcohol control bill in March this year, which would ease restrictions on alcohol sales and advertising, liberalise a market and support small liquor producers and breweries. Exciting times are ahead, and big changes are upon us.

6）有什么是可以推进市场和喝craft beer文化的？

可以是来自社区本身或外来因素影响比如政府的政策。 泰国议会在今年三月时通过了一项有关酒类的法案，放宽了原先对酒类销售和广告推广限制，并开放了对小型酿坊的管制，这是让人欣喜的消息，预料市场会有更大幅度的变化。

7) Thailand's local breweries /brand been popping up in bars & bottle shop including yours, what's your view on the rise of the local brew?

-At our shop, we do not stock homebrewed beers, which, by law, should not be allowed to be sold. There are still not many commercial local breweries, such as Devanom, Samata, and 12 Plato Brewing, and Thai craft beer brands around. Many of those brands are contract-brewed by the same brewery in Thailand or else brewed in Vietnam or Cambodia, e.g., Vana Brewing, formerly known as The Brewing Project, Pheebok, and Spacecraft Brewery.

As mentioned, there will be some changes to alcohol laws later this year; hopefully, we will see more local commercial breweries open around the country. Thailand has some amazing brewers, and many have won international awards.

7）对近年泰国本土品牌啤酒涌现的情况有何看法？

实际上正式设立的泰国本土品牌酿坊为数不多，有一些本土品牌其实是都由同一家泰国酿坊协助酿造或交给越南柬埔寨酿坊酿造，至于泰国本土自酿（也称家酿）则不列为可以正式售卖的啤酒，因为自酿/家酿从法律（或craft beer社区文化）来说都是不应该拿出来卖的。三月国会通过的法案将在今年稍后时间带来变更，希望可以看到多一些本土正式酿坊的出现，泰国有好些很有实力的酿酒师，其中也有已赢得国际啤酒竞赛奖项的。

8)  Beer styles wise, what are some of your observations in terms of trend / changes over the years in Bangkok ?

-IPA is still at the top of the table, espacially hazy ones. On the other hand, the pastry style sour and stout, which people once went crazy for, is now in decline.

8）啤酒类型风格方面，曼谷这些年来出现过什么比较显著的变化？

印度淡啤(IPA)特别是类果汁类型依然是首选，而之前风靡一时的甜点黑牌以及果泥酸啤则逐渐不再那么抢手。

9) What are some of the more commonly seen obstacles which might prevent newbies from exploring further after initial encounter with craft beer?

-Price.

9）对有意开始探索更多的新朋友来说，什么是最大的障碍？

价格。

10) Is craft beer more popular & accepted in Bangkok in the last 10 years generally speaking?

-People have definitely heard more of craft beer; whether it is becoming more popular remains to be seen.

10）过去10年来说，craft beer有受到更多人欢迎吗？

平心而论是有更多人听过或知道了，至于是不是更受欢饮则有待观察。

11) What would be your advice to people very new or just starting to drink craft beer?

-Try to find out what styles of beers suit them most, and the only way to achieve that is to explore.

11）对刚接触craft beer的新朋友说的话？

先尝试找到合适自己口味的啤酒类型，最有效的方式就是探索。

12) Any words to people who think beer is just beer, there's no different between Macro and craft?

-While "craft" is often associated with high quality, it's not a guarantee. Either macro or craft, it is more important people find something they truly appreciate.

12）对认为跟大厂啤酒没什么区别，啤酒就只是啤酒的人说的话？

虽然craft beer普遍被认为是更优质的啤酒不过这不是绝对的，重要的是喝酒的人能找到自己会欣赏的。

WEEK 234--Brew from Kamakura--chit chat with Akio San

It's been quite a long while this blog did any chit-chat / interview with brewer or craft community people- this recent one with Akio is hopefully a start of some more to come in the near future.

扎根在镰仓的Yorocco是多年前就留下印象的日本酿坊，从最初逗子市素餐厅Beach Muffin专属品饮室到三年前开业的镰仓笹目座自家酒吧都到访过， 去过酿坊也见过主创酿酒师Akio Kichise(吉濑明生）, 以下是近期和他的一次对话。

Yorocco is not the earliest Japanese craft brewery I have come across but it is certainly one which have captured my attention some years ago having tasted 1 of their barrel aged saison--went to their early years exclusive tasting room housed at Zhusi's Beach Muffin vegan restaurant--as well their own taproom opened some 3 years ago at Sasameza--went to the brewery at Kamakura--met owner/head brewer Akio san more than once--but never did any interview/ chit-chat until recently--here's what we have chatted:- ( answer in English by Akio)

1)when was when & how did the thought of brewing your own beer came about initially?

I started home brewing when I was around 30 years old and became obsessed with it.

At the time, I wanted to work at a brewery, but there were still very few craft breweries in Japan at the time, so I wasn't able to get a job.

Then, I started to think about the idea of starting my own small brewery.

1）什么情况下开始想到要酿自己的啤酒？

我是在30岁那年开始自己酿酒，然后渐渐的变成一发不可收拾，当时想过要在酿坊工作但那时候的日本在地craft beer酿坊很少所以也就没能成功，于是就有了开办自家酿坊的想法。

2) what trigger you to start a brewery? how did the name Yorocco came about?

2011 great east Japan earthquake. The great earthquake let me realize how local community, stores and relationships are important for us.That accelerated my plans.

Yorocco is from Japanese word "Yorokobi". Yorokobi means cheer,delight and joy.

Beer is a joy in itself, but it also amplifies the many joys of life.

2）成立自家酿坊的诱因是什么？品牌名称Yorocco来源自？

2011年发生了关东大地震，这次事故让我觉得需要把设立酿坊这件事加速推进。

酿坊品牌名称来自日语 Yorokobi(喜び)， 带有欢愉喜悦的意思，啤酒本身就是自带喜悦氛围的，也能把生活中的喜悦加倍扩散。

3)were there any brewer or brewery which you look up to while first starting? 

Baird Beer and Shiga Kogen Beer.

3）有没有哪一位酿酒师或酿坊是让你当成榜样的？

志贺高原酿坊和Baird酿坊。（备注： 两家都是日本较早期取得成功的在地酿坊）

4) looking back from where you started, what was the goal or goals you set out to achieve initially? what has changed if any?

First, just to start my own business. And also to spread and establish the culture of craft beer/local beer in my area.

I think craft beer has become quite popular now.

4）回望来时路，当初设立的最初目标是什么？至今有什么变化？

目标就是想要有自己的酿坊，再来就是让craft beer文化于自己所在的镰倉和周边地区散播并扎根。一路走来至今，要说有什么变化的那就是craft beer相对来说已越发流行并受到关注了。

5) is brewing a fun thing or more of a responsibility now?

When I first started, I was running the business alone, but now I have staff and I have the responsibility of continuing the business.

5）酿酒这件事，现如今来说是乐事还是更多的是责任？

一开始我只是独立作业不过如今酿坊已有员工，而我必须对酿坊可以持续营运负起责任。

6) beer styles wise, what might be the 1 or 2 which is your personal favourite? 

Crisp lagers and saisons.

6）个人比较喜欢的类型风格啤酒是什么？

清爽的拉格（lager）和农场风格啤酒（saison）

7) which is more difficult to come good? A heavily adjuncted or barrel aged beer or a more straight forward easy drinking beer?

Hmmm, whichever, it is difficult to make a great one. Though I prefer to make good easy drinking beers.

7）酿造添加很多食材/放置其他酒类旧桶提味的较复杂作品，或是简单直接易喝类型啤酒，哪一类型会更难以精确掌握？

嗯。。实际上无论是前者还是后者，要酿得出色不是一件易事。个人来说，比较倾向于酿造优质的易喝型啤酒。

8) what are some of the more challenging issues face by the brewery?

Increasing costs and rising beer prices in Japanese craft beer scene.

8）酿坊面对的一些现实挑战是什么？

日益上涨的原材料成本以及市场上已经出现的啤酒涨价现象都是挑战。

9)what are your observation over the years on Japan's craft beer market, any challenges and positives & negatives factor affecting the industry.

The number of craft breweries and craft beer shops has increased so much in these years, but thecraft beer share in the overall beer market has not increased that much.
We believe that we need to continue to increase the number of craft beer fans, at the grassroots level.

9）这些年来日本craft beer市场有什么正面或负面变化影响？

现如今，日本在地酿坊的数量已大为提升，专卖吧和瓶子店的数量也有很大增长，不过从整体来说，craft beer在日本啤酒消费市场上所占份额并没有显著增长，我们必须从基层做起让喜爱craft beer的群众数量更大程度的增加。

10)we live in a world where anyone can leave social media comments which can be good or bad--do you look at those and does it affects you in any way?

Sometimes it helps me to see myself in oblectively, but most of the time it's a waste of time.

10）如今是谁都可以上网留言称赞或批评的年代，这种情况会带来影响吗？

有时候网上留言会让我以另一个角度更客观的看待自己（作品），不过大多时候都是浪费时间而已。

11)while focusing on locals is there any thoughts of perhaps exporting your beer to other cities in Asia? 

If we have enough stock and can connect with the right people, I think it might happen.

11）在注重在地酿造在地喝的同时，有计划把酒送往其他亚洲城市吗？

在供应量足够，以及能遇到对的人情况下，把酒送出国是可能发生的。

12)any advice to people very new to craft beer or trying for the first time.

There are many different beer styles, and that's what makes craft beer culture so interesting.
I encourage you to try different styles. If you can find a reliable store, it will be even more fun.

12）对craft beer不熟悉新朋友说的话？

这是拥有很多不同类型风格作品的啤酒世界，也是craft beer最有趣之处，可以尽量多尝试不同类型风格啤酒，要是能找到一家可靠的专卖吧/瓶子店，那会更有趣。

13) any words to people who think craft beer is Just BEER and no different from Macro? 

I think there is a void in my heart that only craft beer can fill. Or there is also many things only craft beer can do. It is not just only about the tastes, more about the culture and community.

13）对以为craft beer跟一般大厂啤酒没分别的消费者说的话？

个人来说只有craft beer能填补心中的空位，实际上craft beer不只是关于味道也关乎文化和社群。

14)anything I did not ask but good to add on here? 

I think your question is more than good enough! Thanks!

14） 没问到觉得想补充的？

问题够好了。谢谢。