Coedo Beer

I saw Coedo Beer sold here in Hawaii. Marukai and Don Quijote.
We had Coedo Beer on our trip to Kawagoe. The beer is brewed in Kawagoe.

The Beniaka was tasty. It is named after a type of potato grown in Kawagoe. Yes, the beer uses sweet potato as an ingredient.

Unfortunately, I have only seen the Ruru and Kyara on the shelves. I bought one each to reminisce about our trip to Japan a few years back. I had fond memories of the historic buildings in Koedo. The watch tower, the white washed walls and the old storefronts.

Ruri is gold in tone which is where it get its name from. The Ruri is a Czech Pilsner. It's start attraction is the hops, the Ruri has a balanced bitter flavor that is really pleasant.

The Kyara is rich and sweet beer. I really enjoyed the subtle taste of the hops in this Vienna Style Lager.

The beers are a little spendy at over $4.00 per bottle but worth the try.

Lion Beer Hall

After a day in Snow Country, we headed to ..., Bavaria.

Well almost Bavaria. The Lion Beer Hall is one of our favorite watering holes.

There are many Lion Beer Halls in Tokyo.

This one located in Ginza 7-chome is the most stately. Built in 1934, it is the first beer hall in Japan. The interior of the Beer Hall is designed as if it were truly a German Beer Hall. You cannot help but notice the fountains that flank the bar. And the amazing mosaic tiles that line the walls of the establishment.

You are seated on wooden chairs and served on wooden tables. This adds to the ambiance.

Most importantly, they serve large steins of Yebisu Black....

Bucket Ice?

I really enjoy drinking beer in Japanese pubs. The beer often comes in pre-frozen glasses or steins, ensuring that the beer is cold. As for the steins, there often is a choice between the small and big stein.




Naturally, I choose the big stein. I love Japanese beer, consequently I choose the big stein. Well, when you get the big beer, there is always that age old dilemma of the warm beer at the bottom. Well, beer always tastes better when it is cold.

On our trips, we always have this dare for someone to ask for the local solution to the warm beer problem....., order the bucket ice. To date, nobody has had the courage to impose the "Hawaiian" solution to the warm beer problem.



Tim is taking side action on who may be the first to order a bucket ice in Japan.

Odds as of 3/22/2009 10:00PM HST

Dog 20:1
Nite King 30:1 He waters down all of his drinks. Can you say Oolong?
Mime King 40:1 The first few beers go down fast. Watch the action on the 5th stein.
Field 10:1 They don't know better.
Not going to happen on the next trip. 1:100
(I should hope so)

For Entertainment Purposes Only.


I would pay someone to order a bucket ice just to see the expression on the server's face. It would be interesting to see how you explain why you need a bucket ice to a Japanese person.

Reunited

 

A few years ago, I discovered Yebisu Black...., and fell in love. I yearn for this beer and only can be fulfilled on my trips to Japan. Even then, it is served only at select locations.



This year, we found this beer in cans and it seemed to be more available at retail outlets. But you still had to do some searching.

Each time I go back to Japan, I make it a point to have several large steins of this beer. It is smooth, dark and dangerous. It is a robust and hearty beer like a stout. It has a mixed flavor of carmel and coffee making it a fulfilling beer.

Yebisu Black is considered a Euro Dark Lager.

They do not distribute it outside of Japan. If they brewed it here in the US, they probably would mess it up.

I can't wait until my Japan trip.