Kohmin Beer from Japan

日本人で最初にビールを醸造したのは、蘭学者の川本幸民といわれています。
川本は訳書「化学新書」でビール醸造を紹介し、上面発酵と下面発酵の違いを詳しく解説、1853年にビール醸造に成功しています。
造った人はわかっていましたが、日本で最初にビールが造られた場所は長い間不明でした。
しかし、古地図文献よりその場所が江戸は日本橋茅場町であることが判明。
当時、ペリー来航した際、通訳として黒船に乗り込んだ川本幸民は艦上でビールを振る舞われたそうです。
西洋の文化に恐れおののき、意気消沈していた当時の日本人に、我々も同じものを作ることができることを証明すべく、西洋文化に挑戦し、自宅にかまどを造ってビールを醸造したとのこと。
当時のレシピをもとに復元したのが、この幸民麦酒です。

Mr. Kohmin Kawamoto, one of Dutch scholar, is a person who brewed beer first in Japan. He metaphrased Dutch chemical literature, introduced brewing technique and commentate regarding top fermentation and bottom fermentation then he was successful in brewing beer in 1853. 
It had been unknown where the beer was brewed at first in Japan but it was turned out it was in Nihonbashi-Kayabacho, Edo, i.e old name of Tokyo. Talking of 1853, it was Perry expedition and many of Japanese were surprised at the western technique and knowledge then they had depression, however, Mr. Kawamoto was convinced that Japanese must be able to do the same and tried to brew beer in order to prove it.
Kohmin Beer is reproduced by Konishi Shuzo Choju Kura based on the recipe at that time.

Country  Japan

Brewer  Konishi Shuzou Choju Kura in Itami, Hyogo Pref.

URL  www.konishi.co.jp

Foundation  1933

Alcohol  4.5%

Comments

Muddied Dark Brown coloured beer with flagrant flavour and smooth to drink like water after taste. It is brewed as reproduction based on the recipe of Mr. Kohmin Kawamoto who brewed beer first time in Japan approx. 160 years ago.

Fuller Smith &Turner P.L.C from UK

Country  United Kingdom

Brewer  Fuller Smith &Turner P.L.C in London

URL  www.fullers.co.uk

Foundation  1845

Fuller’s ESB

Alcohol  5.9%

Comments

It is brown colour beer with rich foam. ESB means Extra Special Bitter but not so bitter as UK’s ale from my point of view.

Fuller’s Organic Honey Dew

Alcohol  5.0%

Comments

It is deep golden colour beer and not so bitter as UK’s ale.

Fuller’s Discovery

Alcohol  4.2%

Comments

It is crystal golden colour beer and not so bitter and a little sweet after taste.

Fuller’s London Porter

Alcohol  5.4%

Comments

It is dark brown (almost black) colour beer with  coffee colour foam. Full body taste with Chocolate and coffee bitter aroma. Very nice.

Fuller’s Vintage Ale 2005

Alcohol  8.5%

Comments

It is mahogany colour beer with rich foam. At first, strong stimulation on tongue and sweat taste then bitter after taste. Strong taste and should be drunk slowly. Lot number 03223.

Marton’s Pedigree from UK

Country  United Kingdom

Brewer  Marton’s Brewery in Burton upon Trent

URL  www.marstonspedigree.co.uk

Foundation  1952

Alcohol  4.5%

Comments

Red bronze coloured beer because it is brewed in barrels. Oak casks produce a unique variety of yeast which mellows the flavour giving. Serve cool not cold.

Yorkshire Terrier from UK

Country  United Kingdom

Brewer  The York Brewery Co. Ltd. in Micklegate, York

URL  www.yorkbrew.co.uk

Foundation  1956

Alcohol  4.2%

Comments

It is typical UK ale. Bronze medal of Champion Beer of Britain 2000.

Double Chocolate Stout and Old Nick from UK

Country  United Kingdom

Brewer  Young & CO.’s Brewery in London

URL  www.youngs.co.uk

Foundation  1831

Double Chocolate Stout

Alcohol  5.2%

Comments

It is stout beer and there will not have been the taste of chocolate, either, if it says. Award Winning Beer of Brewing Industry International Award 2000. 

Old Nick

Alcohol  7.2%

Comments

Dark ruby colour beer. No foam but strong carbonation. Not bitter like typical British beer but caramel aroma and rum with raisins taste. I agree with the naming “Barley Wine Dark Ale.”

Spitfire Kentish Ale from UK

Country  United Kingdom

Brewer  Shepherd Neame 

URL  www.spitfireale.co.uk

Foundation  1698

Alcohol  4.5%

Comments

Less foam and bitter taste. Kentish ale.

Newcastle Brown Ale from UK

思い出深いエールです。デンマーク駐在当時、とある格安LCCでイギリスに通うように出張していましたが、その渡航先の空港がニューキャッスルです。空港に夜到着し、空港前の典型的なイギリスタイプのホテル（イン（INN）といいます）に宿泊、チェックインを終え、迷路のような廊下を通り、部屋に荷物を放り投げるやいなや、また迷路のような廊下を戻って、ホテルにあるバー（イギリスではパブですね）に直行、地元が愛するこのエールをパイントグラスで一杯飲むのが楽しみでした。当時はまだエールを理解できなかった私は恰好から入っていきました。今飲んだら、また違うコメントを書いているかもしれません。

It is one of memorial ales in my European days. When I stayed in Denmark, I used to flight to UK by LCC whose destination is New Castle Upon Tyne Airport. Anytime the arrival time is late evening and I walked to the Inn in front of the airport on foot then after check in and walked through the mazy hallway and left luggage, pop in to the pub in the Inn the ordered Newcastle Brown Ale! It is actually my sweet memory in UK.

Country  United Kingdom

Brewer  Newcastle Breweries  LTD. in Newcastle Upon Tyne

URL  www.newcastlebrown.com

Foundation  1927

Alcohol  4.7%

Comments

Amber colour beer and pale taste with tea flavor.