Imagine a hot summer day – the kind of day when you take a shower in the morning – head outside and 5 minutes later, you cannot remember if you took that shower or not. Humid is just not strong enough a word. You with me? OK, good. Now close your eyes and try to think what alcoholic drink you need this second – Yup! Beer. It’s just that simple.
I fought it for years- this feeling that in Japan that wine was for fall, winter and spring but only beer worked in the hot steamy summer. From July to September, statisticians say that beer consumption here in Japan increases by a factor of 5 and wine consumption similarly decreases to a trickle. I am mostly a wine drinker but as the summers come and go, I can see the point.
Since I am a wine person – I am looking for a bit more pizazz in my brew. Something more interesting than Asahi Super Dry. Lucky for me – craft beer fans are finally getting a foothold in the brewing and import markets here. So choices are increasing at the speed of the shinkansen – Gone are the days when an interesting beer choice was Heineken. Now you can find it all, American micro brews, classic Belgian beers, German beers, and yes, even a good group of Japanese microbrews. Thank goodness!
Today we are featuring a must try for the summer heat. This beer just feels like a summer day and tastes like a picnic with friends. It comes to us from the importer and brew master Phred Kaufmann at EZO beers.
It is time to finally reveal this magical brew… “Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat.” From Eureka, California.
Fruity but not too fruity, light, wheat-field tasting hops. Totally refreshing and yet complex.
According to the marketing people –
“A refreshing citrus ale, Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat combines Lost Coast Harvest Wheat with natural tangerine flavors. Brewed with a combination of wheat and crystal malts, and finished with Perle hops.”
Oiishi – delicious – and you can even feel good about those orange flavors being all-natural!
This one is not a beer for folks who like a heavier wheat beer- or for folks who want a BIG fruit taste in a fruit beer – but if you are looking for something new and refreshing for summer, I can’t think of a better more refreshing brew.
If you want to try it out in Tokyo, you can enjoy a bottle or two at the following restaurants and bars.
Or you can order directly from Ezo Beer (www.ezo-beer.com) and get a case or two sent to your home!
Cheers!
Reno’s Bistro
Higashikurume-shi, Tokyo, Japan
Tel: 042-410-3949
www.renosbistro.com
Beer & Wine Cafe 65
Tel: 03-6450-4665
www.otsuka65.com
Kimono Wine and Grill
1-15-28 Minami Aoayama,
Nogizaka Station, Exit 3
5 minutes from Tokyo Midtown
www.kimonowinebar.com
