2014 Memorable Beer List---by NEIL(Tokyo)---PART 1/2

2014快结束，是时候回看过去12个月有什么啤酒是值得想念，值得期待再喝的。

跟去年一样，会有不同朋友上来跟大家聊聊喝了什么精彩的。第一位上来的是定居东京，本身有部落客，特爱去比利时喝酸啤酒的英国朋友NEIL。

and so 2014 is soon coming to an end, it's time to take a look back at what memorable beers were had for the past 12 month or so...just like last year, this year there will be friends of this blog giving us their list of memorable beers...

first up is NEIL from Tokyo--who is actually an English man who loves nothing more than drinking in Belgium. A blogger himself( his blog is listed on this blog), Neil is an avid beer drinker who also do ratebeer.com ratings for fun...

this is the original writing from Neil:-

It was a bit difficult for me to remember the best beers I drank this year. I had to use ratebeer to go back and check my ratings over the course of the year to jog my mind. So this is my list of the best beers I drank and I rated for the first time, even though I may well have drank much nicer ones multiple times and forgotten them. Probably means I should keep on rating on ratebeer, even though I have been losing enthusiasm for it a little recently. Still, it does provide me with a good guide to what I think about beer, even though my opinions may not be much use for the beer community as a whole. Anyway, here’s the list.

因为不能完整的记住所有好喝啤酒，NEIL“被逼”回看他在独立评啤网站RATEBEER.COM的记录来提醒记忆。以下是他的2014好啤酒：-

Y Market - Trinity Black 
This is basically a big thumbs up for Y Market, a new brewery from Nagoya. I picked Trinity Black, which was described as a Belgian Stout, as I had it fairly recently, so can remember it a bit better, but this could easily be many of their beers. They don’t seem to be worried about trying new things and mixing up styles. I am really excited to have them brewing and look forward to them making many more interesting beers.
Y-MARKET是来自名古屋,很有实验精神的小型自酿啤酒。TRINITY BLACK 是黑啤，当然这家还有很多不同类别啤酒。

Swan Lake - Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout 
This deserves a place in this list as I generally find Swan Lake beers to be pretty mediocre. However this beer knocked my socks off, and I’m not particularly a chaser of barrel-aged beers. It was so good that I had to go back and have it again a couple of days later as I was still thinking about it. In general I am moving away from these high alcohol beers (well, when I’m not in Belgium anyway…) as I prefer to avoid hangovers recently, but I have absolutely no regrets about drinking this multiple times.
SWAN LAKE也是日本啤酒，印象中酒不太怎样。不过，NEIL喝到的这陈年处理过的黑啤让他惊艳到隔几天又去找来喝。

Beachwood/Heretic/Stone - Unapologetic IPA
Again a beer that was a real surprise. I don’t think I would have picked it if my Danish friend hadn’t wanted to drink it, but I was really glad we had it. I like Stone beers, but they don’t generally wow me. In fact I’ve had some real stinkers from them, notably the Saison which was pretty horrible. Very interesting new hop varieties used in the Unapologetic which I hope make it into plenty of other beers next year.

这是不同美国酿坊合酿的印度淡啤。因为STONE啤酒并不特别吸引NEIL，如果不是因为当时一起的丹麦朋友想试， 就会错过这支因为使用新啤酒花组合带来惊喜的瓶子。

Siren Caribbean Chocolate Cake/Broken Dream Grand Cru

Two beers from Siren, but could have been many more. I brought these two back with me from the UK and they were just lovely when I finally opened them. Siren are one of the things I miss about living in the UK. Real innovators, and making lovely beers in all different sorts of styles. Looking forward to being back in the UK for Christmas and New Year and drinking a lot more of their beers.
英国CRAFT BEER新贵SIREN的两个不同瓶子。这是NEIL回去英国一定找来喝的酿坊啤酒之一。

Thrashzone Frontside Grind

Yokohama’s Thrashzone is a very popular venue with beer lovers in Kanto. Their own brews are some of the strongest and cheapest beers in Japan. Normally this combination is not necessarily a good thing, but Thrashzone get it right more often than they get it wrong. This beer is a Session IPA and therefore is something of an anomaly for them. It’s the lowest alcohol beer they have ever made (3.5%) and I hope it convinces them that not everything has to be loaded with alcohol. This evening, I realised when coming back through Yokohama, that it felt very different to be on that train line and not be absolutely smashed after ending a day in Yokohama in Thrashzone. It seems to be the normal way things work out.

横滨的摇滚主题撞意酒吧， 主要卖点是自家酿的高酒精度啤酒，不过NEIL喜欢的这杯是THRASH ZONE所有啤酒中最低度的，只有3.5%的低度好喝啤酒。

New Glarus - Raspberry Tart/Serendipity
Only available in Wisconsin, so it’s something of a miracle that I’ve been able to have a few of their beers. Thank you very very much to Kobayashi-san for this. I don’t know if a business trip to Wisconsin would be much fun, but if it means you can bring back these, I can’t see how it can be a bad thing. Fruit beers that are just indescribably delicious, even when it’s a fruit I don’t particularly like. The Raspberry Tart was just amazing. The Serendipity, not far behind. More business trips to Wisconsin please.
位于美国中北部的NEW GLARUS酿坊两支“果香”佳酿，是NEIL的日本朋友出差时候带回东京尝味的瓶子。

NEXT UP---Part 2/2 of NEIL's list

WEEK 38--TOKYO craftt-spotting--Part 2 of 3

东京是CRAFT乐园，上星期谈了三家。

这期的4家撞意啤酒专卖吧，各有不同风格，卖的啤酒类别也完全不同。

HATOS BAR是以美国OREGAN区进口啤酒为主。

DEVIL CRAFT虽也是美国啤酒为主，不过品牌类别完全不同，也有一些日本小型自酿啤酒选择。

PIGALLE TOKYO是很小一家专卖店，走欧陆风，啤酒选择以北欧帮为主，或DE MOLEN这样的名牌，偶尔会有很小型日本新晋酿酒师啤酒出现（是受邀去北欧啤酒节的级别）。

ST.BERNARDUS是比利时名牌啤酒专利店，当然以自家啤酒为主，也有其他比利时牌子选择。

4家都是很不错选择，个人经验来说，值得推荐给新朋友。

Part  2 of 3 about craft beer places in TOKYO--the big fun place for craft lovers in Asia.

This week is about 4 bar with wholly different choices of beers, as well in look and feel/mood and feel....

QUOTES:-
"Hatos Bar---though location says Naka-meguro--having tried coming out from both Naka-meguro station & Daikayama station--the easiest route is to exit from Daikayama station"

"Hatos Bar---"though kind of famous for their bbq pork item--this is probably the only bar that serves Gigantic brewing's beers from Oregan,--was in fact turned away during first visit--it was a Friday evening and the small place was jam packed"

Hatos Bar---"though the beer selection is not that big( 5 on tap+ 1 fridge of bottles--with alameda and up right from oregan on offer too)--but if you love good beer and awesome bbq pork---you soon will find yourself making friends with the whole team at the bar--from bosses to kitchen staff....very warm place indeed"

"Devil Craft---opted for the "new shop"( second outlet after Kanda) located nearby Hamamatsu station--was having a sort of "wrong impression" about this place prior to this visit---simply because if a craft beer place is more famous for it's pizza--what does it says about the place?"

"Devil Craft---visited early evening---moments after settling down at the bar--any doubts about this place quickly disappeared--it has got this very easy, laid back feel that makes you feel very relax"

"Devil Craft--surprised to find that there's no bottles selection--all beers are on tap--with mainly US brews like Pelican, Green Flash, Heretic, Ballast Point..as well some Japanese small brews---and YES--the Chicago style thick pizza is delicious--but the biggest surprise?---the SPICY buffalo wings--if you don't like the hot sensation on top of your head/hair---don't do spicy--take mild!" 

"Pigalle Tokyo--situated nearby Sangen-jaya station, this is really a tiny place---but full of good European beer choices--take for examples the beers consumed that evening--TO OL 's Mochaccino Messiah, De Molen Amerikaans and Rooie Dop Double Oatmeal Stout..bottles that's a bit hard to find locally..."

" Pigalle Tokyo--occasionally, they do have on tap from home front--but not any big Japanese brewery--rather very new name like Oshare( a new brand recently invited to Gothenburg beer fest)  that is aiming for the Scandinavian market rather than locally--however, missed the tap take over event couple of days--would see when can sample some of those beers....:)"

"St.Bernardus---situated nearby Kanda station--if you are into Belgium beers--this is a really nice place to be at---with even st.bernardus 12 on tap from time to time.."

"St. Bernardus---though this is a franchised bar, there's still some other Belgium beers available--and if you like some pub food--this is one place with mix of east and west items available--with some very nice items to go with your beers...."

NET WEEK---TOKYO craft-spotting---Part 3 of 3

WEEK 37---TOKYO craft-spotting--Part 1 of 3

这星期开始，会接连写三篇东京，一篇横滨的寻啤记。

不是"哪里找"之类的资讯，只是个人走走喝喝记事本。

去过日本喝CRAFT BEER的朋友都会同意这是个大乐园（当然，不要拿美国/欧洲一些城市来比较）。

这里说的只是很小部分东京/横滨酒吧/瓶子店。

过去18个月来说，新加坡/吉隆坡和曼谷的CRAFT选择已逐渐加大中，也偶有大小惊喜。。不过，去到东京/横滨这些展现更多不同啤酒泵/瓶子选择的城市还是会让人“口舌生津/食指大动”。。。就算放开日本众多小型自酿不说，只是来自美国/欧洲的啤酒选择也已足够让人一下子忙碌得很。

这期说的只是三家，位于涉谷的CRAFTHEADS，还有位于六本木的ANT'N BEE和BREWDOG BAR。

下期有位置在中目黑/代官山之间的HATOS BAR，滨松盯的DEVIL CRAFT，三茶屋轩的PIGALLE TOKYO，神田的ST.BERNARDUS BAR。

再下期是涉谷的ALDGATE，GOODBEER FAUCETS，両国的POPEYE，以及目白的超级瓶子店TANAKAYA。

TOKYO--no doubt a great playground for craft beer lovers in ASIA.

this is not a guide or info type write up but more like a personal trip record.( if you need info--check out TOKYO BEER DRINKER listed on this blog--that's a very proper and helpful blog for people seeking beer bar/bottle shop related info--including opinion/prices--and most importantly--direction guide to the places)

there's so many different craft beer places in Tokyo, even 1 month would be very tight to cover much---as this is more of a personal lazy around trip--there's no urgency to cover as much or drink as much.

this week's first part of 3 articles on Tokyo craft beer places is about 3 bars only, here we go:-

QUOTES:-
"CRAFTHEADS---this is an EXTREME BEER BAR---in business we know sometimes someone would proclaim something to sort of 'self-enlarge" the identity/branding---NOT HERE---just look at the craft beer bottles and bourbon selection---and you will see why"

"CRAFTHEADS--if you are US BREWS lover--and love some beer bottles from names like ALESMITH/ HAIR OF THE DOG/ THE BRUERY/ THE LOST ABBEY/ THREEFLOYD.....this is the place to be---not to mention there's still some 20 taps to chose from..."

"CRAFTHEADS--even though this trip around--some of the "BIG beer" bottles were missing from selection list---and that may have caused some MINUS points ---but this bar still remains as THE go to bar in Tokyo personally." 

"ANT'N BEE---small bar but full of character--was told by a friend who went earlier that this is his most favorite craft beer bar in Tokyo--it certainly was one of the most <happening bar> when visited---probably due to the fact that there's a certain celebration of anniversary going on"

"ANT'N BEE---if you like beer selections from different parts of Japan---and/or you arrive very late in Tokyo and need a bar for very late night/morning craft drinking--this is THE bar to be as they open from 6pm til 7am next morning.."

"BREWDOG BAR---so far still the ONLY one in ASIA--obviously carry lots of brewdog beer--be it on taps or bottles---but if you need guests beers---there's quite some good bottles to choose from too.."

"BREWDOG BAR---spacious for a bar located at ever expensive Roppongi area---location is just at the back street of where ant'n bee is located---very convenient for people who love bar hopping.,,"


NEXT WEEK--TOKYO craft-spotting---part 2 of 3

WEEK 36---BANGKOK Craft-Spotting

曼谷，很多人喜欢去吃喝玩乐的城市。

跟东南亚很多城市一样，曼谷是长久以来被普通大厂啤酒(包括自家泰国品牌）淹没的CRAFT BEER沙漠。

两年多三年前，情况才开始转变。

曼谷撞意啤酒文化在逐步延伸着，过去18个月有不少新酒吧/餐厅开始能找到CRAFT BEER喝。虽说可能很大程度上还是混合着普通大厂啤酒来卖，至少，这城市的CRAFT门是开了。

近期很多啤迷去曼谷的最大动力很大程度上是因为“米吧”。有啤迷朋友觉得，要是把“米吧”从曼谷挪开的话，还能有什么理由特地飞去喝啤酒吗？

这问题留待时间来回答，看看未来18个月曼谷会不会出现更多不同类型/品牌的撞意啤酒/专卖酒吧/专卖瓶子店。。

BANGKOK---a city many people love going for all kinds of reasons-----EXCEPT BEER.

almost 3 years ago---there's basically little to non for craft beer drinkers to chose from---this is a city very similar to many South East Asia cities---where beer market is flooded by big boring factory beers( be it national brew or imported---in the case of BKK, of course there's a couple of national brands dominating the market apart from the imported ones)

Obviously---the beer scene in BKK is changing--- the past 18 month or so---there's a flow of new bars/restaurants serving craft beer---though most are not selling 100% craft beer, with usual factory beers in the mix---at the very least, doors been opened for craft beers.

As it is, drinking beer in BKK is getting more interesting than before, however, there's a question of "what if there's no Mikkeller bar--what other choices left? " in the mind of beer geek/beer nerd/beer snob....would be interesting to see how the craft scene evolve in the next 18 months....

QUOTES:-
"one thing about BKK craft beer scene is that many bars/restaurants are still selling the usual big factory beers--besides Mikkeller Bar, the other 100% craft beer dedicated bar is Craft-the pop up bar"

"Craft--the pop up bar--a semi open air bar located at Shukumvit Soi23---if you love US brew+some Japanese brew--this is the place. 8 taps when visited--food choices is nice since it's related to the next door restaurant. "

"Mikkeller Bar--this could be the reason many beer geek getting into town for---could be a bit hard to locate for newbie since it's tucked in an old bungalow in Ekkamai,definitely not your usual bar set up...." 

"HOBS--few bars in different parts of BKK that sell both craft beer and usual factory beers."

"Brew Beers & Ciders--also having a few bars in and around BKK--selling both craft beer and factory beers."

"other noticeable new bars/restaurants that sell craft beer inlcudes places like Beerology,Niche Beerville, Sway, The Beer Bridge, White Beer'd...."  

"of all the slightly older or newer bars which sell both usual factory beers and craft beer---both HOBS(house of beers) and Brew Beers & Ciders are having slight edge over the new comers in terms of craft bottles selection..."

NEXT WEEK--TOKYO BEER SPOTTING

WEEK 35--WHAT's in a name?

首先，要承认自己是BEER SNOB，也是GEEK。

SNOB是因为已经好几年不碰普通大厂啤酒，也有时候不喝一些自觉不是心目中那杯的“轻量级”酿品。（不是指LAGER或PALE ALE---比较多是看酿酒师/品牌/产地）

说了这些，其实这一期写的只是玩笑性质，没有什么需要认真的。

无论是NEWBIE也好，SNOB.GEEK或NERD都好，重要的只是要欣赏好的作品。就像听歌那样，有那么多不同类别音乐，虽说每个人口味不一样，可总是会有一两种或以上是对味的。

喝CRAFT BEER---讲究的是对味。

花名这玩意儿，笑笑就好。

This is more of a jest than anything serious.

First, have to admit that i have been turned into a SNOB, as well a GEEK ever since craft found me---or maybe it's the other way round....by that i mean no more "factory beer" for the past few years...

Anyway--craft beer is a bit like music---there's so many different genre out there---there bound to be something that would suits your taste....regardless if you are a Newbie, SNOB/GEEK/NERD or whatever...

The thing about craft beer is simple---just find the taste/s you like---and you are good to go.... 

as for nicknames---it's just a play...nothing serious.

QUOTES:-
"BEER GEEK--there's no clear definition--it's just how deep are you into--and you could very much just measure yourself/label yourself with one if you think you are...."

"BEER SNOB---it's a bit like self-pleasuring by calling yourself a snob.."

"BEER NERD-- kind of like someone who is into fashion trend or antique collection--you would chase some rare bottles-- JUST GOTTA HAVE EMMMMMM...."

NEXT WEEK---craft in BKK

WEEK 34--drink Craft--learn ABC

这期来点“免费英语教学”。

当然是开玩笑的。

喜欢撞意啤酒的新朋友可能最先发现的就是变化多端，什么STYLE都有的瓶子贴纸，这跟之前大厂啤酒比较统一化，比较沉闷的帖子/设计有很大不同。

然后，再仔细留意的话，会发现有些酿酒师会在瓶子贴纸上“留言”--会告诉你为什么这酒是这样酿，或用了什么啤酒花，什么麦，什么酵母，什么提味食材之类的，又或是这是向谁谁谁或什么传统文化致敬之类的信息。

撞意啤酒之所以好玩，有时候不是只在于酒本身，有时候酒背后的小故事，初念，想法都让喝CRAFT BEER这件事变得更有趣味。

这期的ABC都是很浅白撞意啤酒单词，就像喝啤酒这回事一样，没有什么太复杂的，喝了-------自然就懂了。

One of the things newbie drinkers would probably notice very early on is the ever changing--free form expression--almost anything goes--different labels design on the bottles.

And then you might slowly noticed that it is not just the graphic design---the labels actually contain lots of other thing---such as info about why a particular beer is brewed the way it is---basic info of what malt/what yeasts/what hops/what other organic/food item added and so on.....sometimes the label would say this is in tribute to so and so/or to a particular tradition/culture....

All these make drinking craft beer a little more fun--the fact that there's a little info here and there to pick up--to understand what's behind a brewer's thinking/cultural influence/little stories behind the scene.....

QUOTES:-
"BA is not an abbreviation for a university degree---it stands for the word Barrel Aged---the process of aging a beer"

"BA does NOT necessarily make beers taste better--some beers are better off without BA--the Original version could taste much better"

"Carbonation has always been the benchmark for big factory beer drinkers--to determine if a beer has gone bad---not always correct when you are opening a craft beer bottle---because some craft beer were born WITHOUT much carbonation or none at all..."

"Craft beer--anyone or everyone who thought this is just the same bloody boring/one dimensional "alcoholic yellow piss"--try it--then you will see...."

NEXT UP--what's your nick name?