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A WILD PODCAST APPEARS! Joe's been off the booze this week, but fortunately Rob's been drinking enough to send a medium-sized family of chimps on a dream holiday to Tenerife. A quickfire bombardment of questions ensues!  We talk about bars in Kamakura and Nagoya, why there are no damn beer flights in bars in Japan, and then take a quick stab at explaining why beer festivals are bad. (Apologies for the audio quality on this one! Joe is pretty quiet but luckily Rob did most of the talking. Anyway, I'm working on it!)

What a thrill! In this delightful dialectic you've deigned to download, we play the famous Victorian parlour game "Guess the Beer Label", talk about bad bad beers, and in Clickbait Corner we try and desperately figure out if there is any possible way that macro beer isn't evil. Well? This podcast isn't going to play itself, you know! (Unless you've got autoplay on. In which case, why are you reading the description and listening to the podcast at the same time? Everyone knows that's for nerds.) Google Image Search for "Aomori Black Beer"

Imagine, if you will. Squatting, Gollum-like, in the middle of a table. Each of your buttocks supported by bottles of Imperial Stout. Japanese families, students and children alike, all around you. What are you doing? Get off our table. We're trying to have a conversation.  Headphones recommended for this one, to get the full BINAURAL EXPERIENCE. Support us on Patreon to have wonderful conversations like this with us!

Is it that time of year again? Yes! Thank you, Captain Rhetorical Question. We're back at it, whatever "it" is. In this podcast we chat about the direction we'll be taking the podcast (ooh meta), coolships (which reminds me, go and play Return of the Obra Dinn), Rob buying colossal amounts of Baird Beer, and the latest round of "Which bars have announced their financial ruin via a Facebook post" (aka Reason #9857235 why Facebook is an endless misery hole). We also introduce an annoying new segment that's guaranteed to get your greasy little typing fingers all worked up. (I did all the music myself this time, please be nice) 

In the latest edition of the hit series "Behind The Beer", we've got Molly Browning from Lallemand, a privately owned Canadian company that researches, develops, produces and markets yeasts. Lallemand Inc can be found at: http://brewing.lallemand.com/ The intro music is provided by The Worst Case Scenario with "The Beer Song". Find them at: Soundcloud Facebook

As Joe is in the UK, it's up to Rob to fly solo and write the podcast, do the podcast, make the podcast, and edit the podcast. It's also sweltering hot here, which means we're going on a break - but we have plenty in store for you. Stories Discussed Yokohama Baystars to get MORE craft beer. Cruising around the Bay. Ales for ALS Beers Drunk This Episode Rob was having some Baird Shimaguni Stout   Intro and outro music is "The Beer Song" by Worst Case Scenario. Find them here: Soundcloud Facebook Find us all over the internet at: Patreon BeerTengoku on Facebook BeerTengoku on Twitter

Four years? FOUR years? four YEARS?! FOUR YEARS?!  Yes. From our humble beginnings of sitting on our sofas writing about beer we bought in the combini, we've come so far... here we are... erm... never mind. In this podcast we look back on the first year of BeerTengoku. We discuss which beers we have (and haven't) drunk since reviewing, bars that have since closed down, and how casting a critical eye over what we drink affects how we drink it. Joe catastrophically injures himself. Rob has a biological quandary.  Become a patron to access the Patreon-only extended version of this podcast! Intro and outro music is "The Beer Song" by Worst Case Scenario. Find them here: Soundcloud Facebook Find us all over the internet at: Patreon BeerTengoku on Facebook BeerTengoku on Twitter

Well, am I, Sharon? Craft beer gets expensive when you put truffle oil in it. It also gets expensive when you have it in a bar in Golden Gai. Never fear, Asahi is here with a cheap can of piss they call Craft.  Rob humblebrags. Joe goes on multiple sweary rambles. Let us know if you want Rob to grow a beard. Stories Discussed Golden Gai's first craft beer bar First can from Asahi's "craft beer brewery" Sumidagawa Brewing released 100% organic anti-ageing beer Tap Marche to sell other breweries' beers besides Kirin Beers Drunk This Episode For once we had beers that we haven't had on the website! Joe had some Asahi Sumidagawa Brewing Golden Ale (see story) and Rob was having some Modern Times Orderville. Intro and outro music is "The Beer Song" by Worst Case Scenario. Find them here: Soundcloud Facebook Find us all over the internet at: Patreon BeerTengoku on Facebook BeerTengoku on Twitter

The whole of Japan has turned into a muggy swamp. Despite this, people still want to drink outside. We oblige.  Rob's mind is addled by pain meds. Joe flagellates himself. Someone attempts an Australian accent. Stories Discussed Yona Yona Beer Garden Baeren doubles their capacity Devilcraft and Jameson collaboration Japanese winners in the Australian International Beer Awards Beers Drunk This Episode Joe was enjoying an old favourite (Aooni) and Rob was drinking a Sankt Gallen Pale Ale. Intro and outro music is "The Beer Song" by Worst Case Scenario. Find them here: Soundcloud Facebook Find us all over the internet at: Patreon BeerTengoku on Facebook BeerTengoku on Twitter BONUS! NO WORRIES MATE

We're b-b-b-b-back! Turns out sitting on a beanbag to record a podcast isn't the best idea. In this long-awaited returning episode we delve into the legal grey areas of craft beer in Japan. Homebrewing and growlers, to be precise. Joe spends all his money at a festival. Rob sleeps in a field. Stories discussed Keyaki Spring 2018 Sankt Gallen rereleasing Annin Stout instead of Sweet Vanilla due to vanilla shortage Sankt also rereleasing Mango IPA Tap and Growler opens in Shimokitazawa Tokyo Aleworks opens Beers drunk this episode Rob was drinking his third Aooni and Joe was drinking an Uraniwa Invader. Intro and outro music is "The Beer Song" by Worst Case Scenario. Find them here: Soundcloud Facebook Find us all over the internet at: Patreon BeerTengoku on Facebook BeerTengoku on Twitter

The third in a series of interviews with people that make, serve, and import the liquid we love - beer. This week is with Jacob from Yakima Valley Hops. Yakima Valley Hops can be found at https://www.yakimavalleyhops.com/ Facebook Twitter The intro music is provided by The Worst Case Scenario with "The Beer Song". Find them at: Soundcloud Facebook

Despite now owning a new microphone, Joe is forsaken by technology once again. In this totally sober episode, we discuss a few new beers and bars, answer a question from a patron, and really get into the weeds about a sexist beer label. Take a look and tell us what you think. Better still, tell the brewery! Beers mentioned this episode Sankt Gallen Imperial Chocolate Stout Tsuma Beer (AKA Shonan IPA) Minoh W-IPA Neko Nihiki Rise Up IPA Midnight Seijin Stories discussed Akari Brewing opened up in Tottori Baystars Craft Beer Bar Inazuma Brewing finally released first beer on March 20th Yoho Brewing: Karuizawa spring limited edition beer Kirin new beers (in the new tax bracket), aimed at women, guess what type Yoho Brewing: new Boku Beer Kimi Beer on 24th April Barbaric Works' problematic beer label Intro and outro music is "The Beer Song" by Worst Case Scenario. Find them here: Soundcloud Facebook Find us all over the internet at: Patreon BeerTengoku on Facebook BeerTengoku on Twitter Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

The second in a series of interviews with people that make, serve, and import the liquid we love - beer. 2番目は、私たちが愛する液体であるビールを製造、提供、輸入する人々との一連のインタビューの中で2番目です。 This week is with Diana and Drew Puterbaugh from Hops Direct and includes our first giveaway. 今週は「Hops Direct」のDianaとDrew Puterbaughと共演し、最初のプレゼントをしています。 Hops Direct and Baird Beer have teamed up to offer the listeners to this podcast a sample of hops, a free beer, and free VIP tour at Baird Beer Shuzenji Taproom. 「Hops Direct」と「Baird Beer」は、このポッドキャストのリスナーに、「Baird Beer Shuzenji Taproom」でのホップ、無料ビール、無料VIPツアーのサンプルを提供するために協力しました。 Hops Direct are one of America's independently owned hop growers and sellers, shipping all over the world. Yes, including to Japan. ホップスダイレクトは、世界中に出荷されているアメリカの独立した所有のホップ栽培者と売り手の1つです。 はい、日本を含む。 Go to the Baird Beer Shuzenji Taproom anytime between March 30th and the end of Golden Week (May 6th) and answer the following questions to claim your beer and or hops. 3月30日からゴールデンウィーク（5月6日）の終わりまで、「Baird Beer Shuzenji Taproom」に行って、あなたのビールやホップを主張するために以下の質問に答えてください。 What kind of hops are being given away? (どのようなホップが払われていますか。) How many generations old is Hops Direct?(Hops Directは何世代の古いですか。） Hops are limited to one sample per person and the beer offer is only available at Baird Beer Shuzenji Taproom. The beer is one 300ml of anything that is on the menu, excluding bottles. ホップは1人1サンプルに制限されており、ビールは「Baird Beer Shuzenji Taproom」でのみご利用いただけます。 ビールは、ボトルを除く、メニュー上にある300mlのもの1つです。 With so many events going on though during April, there is no excuse not to go down there. 4月には非常に多くのイベントが行われていますが、そこに行かないという言い訳はありません。 Links to Sites Hops Direct Hops direct homepage Facebook / Twitter / Instagram Baird Beer Baird Beer homepage Facebook / Twitter Intro / Outro Music The intro music is provided by The Worst Case Scenario with "The Beer Song". Find them at: Soundcloud Facebook

How many taps should a beer bar have if a beer bar has craft beer? That's the question on everyone's lips in this episode. In other news, we discuss some new bars, an art exhibition in a decidedly non-arty bar, the winners of the Beer Grand Prix, a collaborative beer and a new app/website for pairing food and craft beer.  Also, Rob gets followed by an odd person, and stay tuned at the end for an incredible Bonham-esque drum battle. Beers mentioned this episode Doppo White Chocolate Ise Kadoya Hime White Baeren Chocolate Stout Vintage Stories Art exhibition in Thrashzone Meatballs Winners announced at Beer Grand Prix Another Makuake - this time in Osaka Collaboration beer for Tohoku (Our review of the beer here) New app/site for pairing food and craft beer Intro music is "The Beer Song" and outro music is "Drag Queen", both by Worst Case Scenario. Find them here: Soundcloud Facebook Find us all over the internet at: Patreon BeerTengoku on Facebook BeerTengoku on Twitter

The first in a series of interviews with people that make, serve, and import the liquid we love - beer. This week is with Steve LePoidevin from Crisp Malting Group; the UK’s leading privately owned, independent maltster. Crisp Malting Group The intro music is provided by The Worst Case Scenario with "The Beer Song". Find them at: Soundcloud Facebook

Joe is still struggling to use a microphone properly. He'll get there soon enough. We talk about some of the news, Joe's inability to find any craft beer in anime this time around, and also weird combinations of beer. Music Details This podcast's music is provided by Terry Kerns with this copy of The Tom Bosley Experience with "The Latest in Gentlemen's Accessories". Find them at: The Tom Bosley Experience The Tom Bosley Experience @ Redbubble The intro music is provided by The Worst Case Scenario with "The Beer Song". Find them at: Soundcloud Facebook Links to Beers Minoh Imperial Stout by Minoh Beer Sankt Gallen Annin Chocolate Stout by Sankt Gallen Links to Stories Kirin's Spring Valley to try new beers due to tax law. Which breweries best represent Japanese craft beer. Yona Yona to open a new bar in Kabukicho. Sankt Gallen released their first barrel aged series. Ishigakijima brewery created first awamori and craft beer blend. Links to Others Patreon BeerTengoku on Facebook BeerTengoku on Twitter

This week’s podcast comes to you live from the middle of Joe’s beard. Apologies for the rustling, next week he’ll be using a real microphone. We talk about some of the news, Joe's infatuation with hunting out craft beer in anime, and how misogyny in the craft beer scene in Japan hampers its progress. This podcast's music is provided by The Worst Case Scenario with "The Beer Song". Find them at: Soundcloud Facebook Links to Beers Sankt Gallen Imperial Stout Shiga Kogen Takashi Imperial Stout Links to Stories Coedo tap takeover in Yokohama Craft beer in anime II Distant Shores brewing used Makuake to fund brewpub New Brewery "Rio Brewing" to open Craft beer market share Beer coupons being forged Japan Brewers Cup run down Links to Articles Soapbox Article 3: Beer Awards Craft(y) Beers #2 Links to Others Patreon BeerTengoku on Facebook BeerTengoku on Twitter  

In this first inaugural BeerTengoku podcast, Joe and Rob discuss the bizarre email they received, and also a cool beer blog in Nagano. They also go over some news stories about beer tax (boring) and craft beer showing up in anime (weird), answer a listener question and generally try to record a podcast without waking their respective kids up. Links to Stories Price of beer increasing in Japan. Yosano growing local hops (Japanese). Sankt Gallen beers in anime (Japanese). New limited edition beers from Far Yeast (Japanese). Kirin plans new craft(y) beer bars across Japan. (Japanese). Beer tax news in Japan. (Japanese). Best brewery, new brewery, and beer in Japan. Links to Articles TDM1874 Interview with George Juniper Craft(y) Beers #2 Video (Youtube) Events calendar Links to Others Patreon BeerTengoku on Facebook BeerTengoku on Twitter