Beer?

[threebikesmcginty]

DevilCraft was good. One of those Tokyo buildings that in any other city might be a gap between buildings, there are about 8 bar seats downstairs and apparently tables upstairs although I don't know how they can fit them in...

The pizza arrived and was nothing to write home about. Basically, pizza dough made into a pie shape and deep filled with what would normally be pizza topping. The basic problem is that an actual pie crust would have been better. And an actual pie filling. In other words: an actual pie.

Maybe they haven't got the room to make flat pizzas!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Maybe they haven't got the room to make flat pizzas!

I hadn't thought of that!

 

[User169]

Next up was a Pale Ale, 5.6%, from Sankt Gallen, a Japanese brewery with a very good reputation. This came via a handpump and it was almost exactly like a more citrusy version of London Pride. Very nice.

That would have been my choice - I like the way they update the tap beer list every day on their website!

Interesting that most of the Japanese beers seem to be quite low ABV (compared at least to US and BE brews).

I think the pizza at Goodbeer Faucets sound nicer and it has probably the best name.

Anyhow, keep up the good work, FM!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Interesting that most of the Japanese beers seem to be quite low ABV (compared at least to US and BE brews).

This may be true, especially in comparison to Belgium (although the lightest beer I have had so far was actually Belgian), but last night it was a bit biased by the fact that: 1. it's summer; 2. the selection at DevilCraft was particularly limited yesterday in terms of Japanese brews; and 3. I tend to want something more refreshing after running.

I think the pizza at Goodbeer Faucets sound nicer and it has probably the best name.

They have other, more classy food too... I think I may alternate between Goodbeer Faucets and a new place every week. I just like it too much!

 

[User169]

Beershop today has just taken deliveries from De Molen, Thornbridge and Brewdog.

Brewdog's "Jackhammer" is firstup. Billed as a West Coast IPA, this comes with a big rep and aint too bad. Nice looking ale, really lovely aroma and super-citrussy, but a bit too astringent for me. Needs a bit more malt to balance it out.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Thornbridge

Their Jaipur is one of the world's best IPAs for my money. Lovely stuff.

 

[User169]

Their Jaipur is one of the world's best IPAs for my money. Lovely stuff.

Drank one of those last night too! It tasted a bit subdued after the Brewdog, but I should have had them the other way around.

Also tried Thornbridge's Raven Black IPA which was superb - probably the best black IPA I"ve tried after the Kernel's.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

River Cottage Organic Stinger Ale, HFW attempt at beer with nettles, blurb on the label talks of full depth and light bitterness, I'd say it has neither, it's OK but nothing special, it's frothy too, lost about 20% of it when I popped the top!

 

[User169]

That London! Juggler from Magic Rock/To Ol - cracking stuff

 

[User169]

And a nice selection from home, although they've got Raad en Daad on tap which is a total dud.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I was in That London this morning, didn't see you DP!

 

[User169]

I was in That London this morning, didn't see you DP!

I'm in camo - head to toe in Rapha!

 

[User169]

Chilling in the Euston Tap. Dude's just requested a "beer". Slightly confused barman says "we have lots of beer".

 

[Flying_Monkey]

This Wednesday's Tokyo craft beer bar will be the Harajuku Taproom, run by the Baird Brewery, and serving izakaya/yakitori-style food. It's mostly Baird's own brews, but they usually have a few guests - 15 taps, including 2 handpumps.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

The Harajuku Taproom was really nice. It did look like a modern Japanese izakaya rather than a western bar or pub and the food was similar: grilled mackeral and chicken bits, gyoza, tofu, a few salads (I had the wasabi potato, yum) etc.

The 15 beers were all from Baird, no guests. Since I can try the main brews any time, I elected to go for the 4 remaining seasonal specials they had on (there were 6 but they'd run out of 2).The seasonal beers come in slightly smaller sizes than the regulars (200 and 400ml as opposed to 250 and 500), which is good as it meant I could get away with trying more!

The first was a lovely 5.5% Shizuoka Summer Mikan Ale. There was a very refreshing burst of satsuma up-front but, unlike the Kinkan Lager I had last week, this also had a complexity, depth and body that made it a real pleasure. Baird say that their philosophy is 'balance' and it does really seem to be a characteristic of all their brews.

For the second, I decided to try something with a bit more strength. They had an Engine Oil Export Stout at 6.7%, and this had a texture and oiliness that made it taste like much stronger imperial stouts but also with a roasty dry finish that is more characteristic of Irish stouts. This was excellent and it made me realy want to try their Dark Sky Imperial Stout and the Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine they release in the winter.

Third, was a 5.6% Golden Ale. I forget the name, but it used NZ hops which gave a refreshing bitterness that balanced the broadness of the flavour. A really good summer session beer.

Finally, I tried the seasonal Brown Ale. At 4.6%, it was mild (much milder than their regular Brown Ale, which is 6.4%, I think), but the flavours were also a bit flabby and flatulent. I didn't really like it at all, but then I don't think I have ever had a mild brown ale that I thought was really that worth drinking. This is the only beer I have had of Baird's that I haven't thought was of the highest quality, and in general, I would already rate Baird as one of the best microbreweries in the world (yes, I think they are that good).

This is a place to come back to.