Maltan

Who says Tokyo is expensive? I just had a 13 course meal 990 Yen ~ €8. Well OK, beer seems to be quite pricey in most places. Half pint 450-550 Yen.

282. Kirin - 82 Real Ale

Listing beers is getting quite difficult. My Japanese needs still bit practice so from most beer I am only able to get the town that the beer is from. That doesn't stop me from enjoying. For example I had really good stout from Osaka. Beer names are of course written in Japanese and I tell you, kanji is difficult. I tried to copy names to my notebook but that didn't work at all.

I found nice small bar called Maltan. They had several Japanese crafts of tap, names written with kanji... Owner of the place, Nakamura-san and his wife were very helpful to explain something about the beer but I didn't quite understand more than where the beers came from and the beer styles. I'm not sure if I should give these a number also, well what the heck...

283. IPA from Nagano Prefecture
284. Red Ale from Nigata
285. Stout from Osaka

I had one of most amazing evenings at Maltan. I made bar full of people friends, only couple of the spoke even couple words of English but that didn't matter at all. Businessmen with ties, bar staff, normal neighborhood people. They were very keen on hearing about Finland and hearing why I travel in Japan. They were very happy that someone came there after the disaster. I got loads of travel tips, loads of sake etc. etc. Discussions were quite fluent with couple words of English and when those were not enough, drawings and bartenders laptop with Google translator worked well. Thank you Nakamura-san for laptop loan.

When it was time form me to go and catch last train to ryokan (Japanese inn) I gave a handshake to pretty much everybody in the bar and when I was at the door everyone was waiving to me and shouting sayonara. I felt almost like a movie star. Special thanks for Takeshi-san for onsen tips.

Ps. It is true that Moomin is big in Japan. Everybody knew that Moomin is from Finland.

After earthquake

Fresh, I mean really fresh, sushi at Tsukiji fish-market. Unbelievable good. Don't know if I can eat sushi anywhere else anymore because all other sushi is likely to be disappointing after this. I arrived here bit after 7 in the morning, all the fish was catched during the night. You know that food is good if it makes you cry while eating and this sushi got me weeping.

Time when I arrived to to Tokyo (month after tsunami) was the time when support from my tourist money was needed the most. Plane from Vancouver was pretty much empty and for me this meant 3 seats for laying down and of course super fast service. Also the whole Tokyo seemed to be quite spacious. Metros are easy to get in, Shibuya crossing was crowded but not more than Henry street in Dublin during bank holiday weekend.

276. Sapporo
277. Kirin - Brau Meister


My first earthquake! I got confused, then I realized what was going on and I got so exited. Then I looked people around me and I don't think they even noticed earth shaking. Amazing how used to this they are even that they are just recovering from the big one.

278. Kirin - Ichibanshibori
279. Yebisu - The Hop
280. Yebisu - All Malt Beer
281. Yebisu - Black

After ski

Vancouver was good place to go out and Henry was the right person to do it with. Most important thing was that this guy likes good beer (G.I. Hefeweizen) and bad beer (Mickey's) and on top of that he was able to find couple good and kind of good parties.

90s party was quite challenging with music like Vengaboys - Boom Boom Boom. However it helped to meet lot's of fun folks there and I even found Home Improvement Tim & Al lookalikes (fits nicely to 90s theme).

Between the parties I managed to do bit of sightseeing as well and visited Whistler and saw some breathtaking views (at least it could have been if it wasn't so darn foggy).

After Whistler I headed for a night out that was much better music wise than previous one. Starting out at The Venue with The Globes and The Two Door Cinema Club. I tell you, The Globes drummer was insanely good! And the the main act, they were excellent just like you could imagine. After gig we headed to some student party close by. After ski theme with old neon ski outfits and, of course, beer pong table. We need a new rule: Every pub should have a beer pong table!

Oh yes, something about beer also.

260. Russel - Cream Ale
261. Alexander Keith - IPA
262. Brewhouse - Big Wold Bitter
263. Vancouver Island - Piper's Pale Ale
264. Lighthouse - Beacon IPA
265. Driftwood - Ale

I headed also to Victoria, sleepy city after Vancouver but home of one excellent brew pub: Spinnakers. While sitting at bar, the bartender noticed that we had some prestigious company. Head of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company was sitting at the other side of the bar.

Spinnakers
266. Kolsch with Lemon Zest (cask)
267. ESB
268. North West Ale
269. Original Pale Ale
270. India Pale Ale
271. Nut Brown Ale
272. Blue Bridge Double Ale
273. Hopworks - Stout

Visited also Canoe for couple before heading back to Vancouver
274. Canoe - River Rock Bitter
275. Yukon Brewing - Yukon Red

Cozy way to finish North American tour was by watching some play off hockey at dear friend Derek's place. Your girl is a great cook! Thank you Elisa, Henry and Derek for great times! Love you all!

Gambie

While visiting Canada you must see at least one hockey game live. I had bought couple tickets to Vancouver vs. Minnesota game for me and my dear friends Elisa and Derek. Season ending game and Canucks got the Presidents Trophy at the beginning. Good to be there witnessing history.

Before the game Derek took me to the Gambie, place with cheap drinks, lousy music and greasy food so everything you wish from a quality bar. And this all was just couple blocks from the Rogers Arena. I fell in love with this place instantly. I could imagine spending lot's of time here if I was living in Vancouver. Place that has hand dryer with message about drying your soul can't be bad. During my short stay I actually made couple more stops here after this one. House beers are made by Granville Island brewery so you can actually enjoy decent beer there also.

248. Sleeman - Sleeman Honey Brown Lager
249. Granville Island - Gambie Lager
250. Granville Island - Cypress Honey Lager
251. Granville Island - Brockton IPA

After getting rid of my hangover I decided to visit Granville Island brewery also. Island itself is beautiful, bit touristic though, small island very close downtown Vancouver. Brewery has small tasting room where I was lucky enough to meet guy who used to be brewer at GI.

Granville Island
252. Irish Red (seasonal)
253. Imperial IPA (seasonal)
254. Winter Ale (seasonal)
255. Hefeweizen

While sipping and talking about beer travels he mentioned that there is also another brewery on the same island. Not so special beers but something that you can try only there as their license allows then to sell only at their own restaurant.

Dockside Brewing
256. Catwright Pale Ale
257. Jonston Street Pilsner
258. Old Bridge Lager
259. Pelican Bay Brown

Bartender at Dockside seemed to be very interested about party ferries between Finland and Sweden. And he was talking lot's about blond girls...

Oh Canada

Good start at Vancouver. I was thinking that I was tired and being on the road was not exiting or fun anymore. Seattle could be nice place but I did not have too much energy left to enjoy it. Now, one night at Vancouver, meeting one old friend, making some new ones and I am full of energy! On the first night I actually ended up spending night in whole different place that the plan was. Movie night, chatting, enjoying beer and enjoying on journey again. I feel alive again!

236. Central City Red Racer India Pale Ale
237. Central City Red Racer ESB
238. Mickeys Fine Malt Liquor (got bit contrast to previous ones with this...)

Steamworks Brewery, beautiful view, ok beers but bit hollow feeling. Bonus is that I met the brewmaster.

Steamworks
239. Hefeweizen (seasonal)
240. Signature Pale Ale
241. Nirvana Nut Brown Ale
242. Heroica Oatmeal Stout
243. Empress India Pale Ale

At Yaletown brewery I learned that most brewpubs here are owned by same company. That explains similar bit cold feeling in downtown pubs.

Yaletown
244. Rocket to Russia (nice!)
245. Downtown Brown
246. Briek & Beem IPA
247. Warehouse Stout

Ps. Vancouver seems to be freezing cold, that god I got to borrow my friends jacket. Thanks James!

Sleeping in Seattle

Arriving to Seattle tired and wrecked. I walk through the rain to hotel, I thought that I need real hotel at this point as I was dead tired. I saw legendary Hurricane Cafe outside hotel but that must wait. Only fast food and sleep.

On morning I notice something unusual. Sky is bright and it seems to be nice day coming. Didn't expect to see this in Seattle. Great start for day to have breakfast at the Pike Place Market and chatting with locals that what there is to see in this town. I got advice that ferry ride to Bainbridge could be nice so off I go. you can pretty much always trust on tips from locals, beautiful ferry ride to nice small town. Signpost tells me that there is a pub with craft brew taps on the island, easy choice for me. The Harbour Public House offers nice fisherman village atmosphere with ocean view and really nice terrace and of course nice selection of local rotating taps. Hope to see you again Erin, you made to my top bartenders in seconds.

209. Hales - Bavarian Hefeweizen
210. Fish Tale - Mudshark Porter (cask)
211. Georgetown - Mannys Pale Ale

212. Rogue - Mocha Porter
213. Maritime - Pacific Nightwatch
214. Two Beers - Immersion Amber Ale

At Portland I happened to meet Jen, Oregon sales manager of the Pike Brewing. With the note Jen gave to me I went to the Pike Brewing at Pike Market. I got same warm welcome with the note that I got from Jen when meeting her. Throughout introduction to Pike brews.

Pike Brewing
215. Weisse
216. XXXXX
217. XXXXX (cask)
218. Naughty Nelle
219. Pale Ale
220. IPA
221. Kilt Lifter
222. Monk's Uncle
223. Tandem
224. Double Pale Ale

Good meeting you Amanda and Colin. Try to manage there!

225. McMenamins - IPA
226. McMenamins - Ruby

Hurricane cafe, place that used to be the place for rockers to hang out, at least so I heard. Now it still seems to have it's charm, rock is not played here now but way the place looks like is still what it used to be in old days. I would think everything is just the way it was when they opened the place. People here make this place. Next to me is a guy singing "I still wanna be with you". On the other side some dude is having a burger and talking to ketchup. He seems to be telling to ketchup that he is upset about Tabasco. I can feel his pain...
Henrik, this is for you:
227. Pabst - Blue Ribbon

Elysian Brewing Company
228. Pandora's Box
229. Cerise Amour
230. Prometeus IPA
231. Bête Blanche
232. Saison Poivre
233. The Wise ESB

Taproom in Seattle is bit like Yardhouse in San Diego. Helluva amount of taps, 160 in this case, but no heart. It tells something that guy next to me wanted Coors Light and when they didn't have it, he wanted to have tomato juice in his Bud Light to sure it does not taste too strong. 2 fast pints and I'm outta here...

234. Avery - Ellies Brown Ale
235. Mac and Jacks - African Amber Ale (this was excellent!)

Ps. Russian Bakery at Pike Market, Piroshky, Piroshky is freaking good.

Conspiracy

California is known of it's Imperial Stouts and I had a change to try some of best stouts in the world. However, something I did not expect at all was good quality of sour beers. When talking about sour beers with Kyle at San Francisco, he told me about Cascade Brewing in Portland. They are mainly producing sour beers and their Barrel House serves some of those beers straight from the barrel. For me it seemed that they are definitely on the correct path, however many of their beers would gain more depth if they let those be in the barrels maybe one year more. When you get there, just ask if Ron is there to get bit background knowledge.

Cascade Brewing
187. Gose
188. Kriek
189. The Vine
190. Sang Noir
191. Vlad the Imp-Ale
192. Port Reserve (from barrel)

Other side of the road from Barrel House is the Green Dragon. This is one of most exciting brewpubs I've seen. First of all they have quite good selection of taps. Secondly they have their brewery with nice beers. And the third thing that makes this place unique is another small scale brewery within the bigger brewery.

Small scale brewery is something you could easily fit in your garage and this equipment is used to create the most interesting beers Green Dragon offers. Brewers are beer enthusiasts that gather together once in a while to try recipes they have developed at home. Green Dragon offers the space and equipment is sponsored bu Rogue. Message from Rogue is that they want to give something back from their success to similar people they once were before making it big. So awesome I say.

Following was made with small equipment and I also had to chance to have a nice chat with the brewer.
193. Green Dragon - Belgium Triple

194. Buchman Village - Chamomellow
195. Buchman Village - Ginger
196. Oregon Trail - Red
197. Eugene City - Candy Cap Mushroom Brown Ale (They actually use mushrooms on this one)

While sipping these I also had good chance to listen some conspiracy theories. Mike, socialistic firefighter, told me lot's of amazing details about third tower that went down during 9/11, interesting things about Mr. Dick Cheney etc. Portland seemed to be good for talking about these theories, even better that New York or San Francisco that both had quite a few people that weren't so happy about recent governments.

Mike offered to drive me also to my next destination, unfortunately my notes are missing the name of the place. Anyway, place with huge terrace and right next to great beer store that had seats for customers also. Thanks Mike and good luck with your commune.

198. Burn Side - Sweet Heat
199. Fort George - Murky Pearl Oyster Stout
200. Double Mountain - The Vaporizer
201. Hitachino Nest - XH
202. New Old Lompoc - Old Tavern Rat

Bailey's Taproom at city center was excellent place to finish my couple days at Portland. Could't make it to Hopworks but maybe next time.

203. Oakshire Brewing - Overcoast Espresso
204. Alameda - Siberian Bear
205. Flat Trail - Licentious Goat
206. Ninkasi - Spring Reign
207. Hop Valley - Festeroo
208. Block 15 - Pappy's Dark

Willamette Valley

One of the most notable areas for hop growing in the world and home of one of probably the most notable beer city in the USA. This place was one of the first places I added to my itinerary when planning travels within US.

Dechutes Brewpub in Portland was good place to start. It felt quite good to have more balanced beers after having several and several very extreme California beers. Even that California produces many of most high-rated beers in the world, I seemed that brewers in California were competing about who makes the most extreme beer instead of making the most satisfying one. Maybe it was the longer tradition of beer brewing in Oregon that makes the difference. Beers tasted way more balanced and somehow more elaborate.

Dechutes
163. Hefeweizen
164. Inly Lager
165. 31-25 Hef
166. Inversion IPA (cask)
167. Ursus Strong Pale
168. Red Chair NWPA
169. Mirror Pond Pale
170. Inverted Pale
171. Black Butte Porter
172. Green lakes Organic Ale
173. Cascade Ale
174. Obsidian Stout

Next stop, Bridgeport was somewhat disappointment, bit heartless place but they did have couple excellent brews. Topping the list Kingpin Double Red.

Bridgeport
175. Haymaker Extra Pale Ale
176. Blue Heron Pale Ale
177. Kingpin Double Red Ale (nice)
178. India Pale Ale
179. Old Knucklehead
180. Café Negro
181. Hop Czar
182. Highland Ambush Scottish Ale

I was planning to go further but rain stopped me again so I ended up to Rock Bottom Brewery. Even that it is a chain, I thought I might as well stop for a pint and wait to rain to stop. I got bit lucky here as I sat next to beer writer fellow who had published a book about Portland beer pubs that can be easily accessed by public transport. This guy helped me to make quite solid transportation plan between the places I wanted to go. However, I didn't want to take it that far as he had when writing the book. During that time he had maximum 30 minutes reserved for every pub. Interesting detail was that as he published the book, even that it was not his main profession, according to tax authority he can now claim back every pint he drinks. Makes me think, maybe I should also...

Rock Bottom Brewery, Portland OR
183. Volksweizen Wheat
184. Sunny Day IPA
185. Morrison St. Stout (cask)
186. Amber Ale

Craft Brewers Conference 2011

My timing to arrive to San Francisco was excellent as there was Craft Brewers Conference going at the same time. I happened to notice post from Darren, writer of BeerSweden.com, that he was packing his suitcase for travel and was going to be at the conference. At the moment I did not know about the event but quickly made up my mind to be there also. Darren's blog is one of my favorite beer blogs, done with bit lighter touch than beer blogs usually are. Quite fun to check his videos even if you're not hardcore beer fan.

I met Darren for pints at the City Beer. Location is mixed beer store / bar. They have impressive amount of quality beers on the shelf and also couple seats if you wish to enjoy beers you find from the store. My choice to start the day was quite famous one:

132. Russian river - Pliny the Elder (fresh stuff, they recommend that you would drink this as soon as possible, mine was bottled 2 weeks before opening)

Good start for rainy day and I had bit time before Darren was arriving so I went to search some imperial stouts from the shelf even that I knew it could lead to trouble. I was counting on Darren that he would share some of these high alcohol beers with me so I wouldn't have to empty all of these.

133. Great Divide - Oak Aged Yeti (great)
134. Russian River - Temptation (wow!)
135. Cascade Brewing - Cascade Kriek Ale
136. Moonlight - Reality Check

Darren helped me to empty bottles so I guess I owe him bit advertising, check the blog www.beersweden.com (it is in English so don't worry about the name)

During conference I met quite a few brewers from all over the world. It seemed to be good choice to wear Cantillon t-shirt, many of the brewers seemed to be very interested to hear about methods the use at the Brussels brewery. I got good tips for home brewing and of course good tips where to visit during my time in US.

The most popular place for brewers to gather up was Toronado. This place has at least 45 chancing craft brew taps. They are also known from their service that you can't describe kind or helpful. This place has some character.

137. Russian River - Benediction
138. Ballast Point - Yellowtail Pale Ale
139. Drakes - Hypocalypse
140. Firehouse - Hops on Rye
141. Magnolia - Billy Sunday Bitter
142. Firestone - DBA
143. Ninkasi - Tricerahops IPA

And then possibly the beer of the journey. Recommended by Darren, I bought this 40 usd bottle of beer. Outstanding sour beer. One of the best I ever had. When I ordered this beer I suddenly had dozens of new friends! Ladies and gentlemen: The Cable Car!

144. The Lost abbey - Cable Car Ale (outstanding, possibly the best sour)
145. Moonlight - Twist of Fate
146. Russian River - CBC Sour Brown
147. New Belgium - Apple Love
148. Lagunitas - Fusion
149. Deschutes - Hop Henge
150. Deschutes - XXII Aged Blend (oh my!)
151. New Belgium - Blackberry Love
152. Moonlight - Death & Taxes
153. Moonlight - Saaz Hop Reality Czeck

Thanks for all the brewers, it was facinating to meet meet you. Special thanks to Eric, Kyle, Christy, Nola, Sarah and mrs. Pekkarinen (Parin) even that your grandpa had changed you're name to more easy one for English speakers.

Couple other brewpubs also visited, Beach Chalet was nice on a sunny day but the taste and the price was not on correct level at all. Rogue Ale House was quality pub like Rogue's places always are.

154. Beach Chalet - DBA
155. Rogue - St. Rogue Dry Hop Red
156. Rogue - Juniper Pale Ale
157. Rogue - Chatoe Rogue Oregasmic Ale
158. Rogue - Chocolate Stout
159. Rogue - sig's Northwestern Red Ale
160. Rogue - Mogul Madness
161. North Coast Brewing - Schrimshaw Pilsner
162. Lagunitas - Hairy Eyeball

Hippie Town

First night at San Francisco took me to Thirsty Bear Brewing Company. Bit fancy brewpub with mostly customers wearing tie. I chose to sat down with fellow who wasn't wearing one and that proved to be good choice. Jon was a old time hippie, he had his share of hippie lifestyle and still carried some ideology with him. I guess that organic beer of Thirsty Bear draws some people with ideology to the place that otherwise would be too fancy. By the way, brewing organic beer doesn't seem to be big at US at all. I understood that finding for example organic hops can be quite difficult and getting hops from New Zealand can be to difficult for small brewers. So if you are hop farmer at US, maybe this could be your change to get into markets.

Thirsty Bear Brewing Company
100. Thirsty Bear Polar Bear
101. Thirsty Bear Golden Vanilla
102. Thirsty Bear Valencia Wheat
103. Thirsty Bear Brown Bear
104. Thirsty Bear Meyer ESB
105. Thirsty Bear Kozlov Stout
106. Thirsty Bear Howard Street IPA
107. Hoppen Koff (seasonal)
108. Sour Stave (seasonal)
109. Thirsty Bear Howard Street IPA (Cask)

While sipping organic brews, Jon introduced town to me, told me his favorite places for beer and offered to drive me to one also. We headed to Magnolia, one of my favorite brew pub during the trip. Excellent food and top class beers. Definite must try for every beer lover visiting SF.

Magnolia Pub and Brewery
110. Magnolia Proving Ground Pale (cask)
111. Magnolia Cole Porter

At this point I needed to catch the last bus but I knew that I will be back for more.
Next day started with bit of sight seeing and they have lot's to see here. Many of it is quite touristy but still fun. During my stay I for example saw the Alcatraz that was quite impressive, drove with the cable car, cycled over the Golden Gate and spend a day trying gadgets and science theories at the Exploratorium. As you see, quite much stuff to do here for techie like me.

And of course I left time for good beer scene the have ay SF. One stop was at 21st Amendment Brewery that is quite known in Europe also. Have to say that watermelon beer was quite interesting.

21st Amendment Brewery
112. 21st Amendment Bitter American
113. 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon Wheat
114. 21st Amendment Brew Free or Die IPA
115. 21st Amendment Hop Crisis!
116. 21st Amendment St. Patrick OSullivans Irish Red
117. 21st Amendment/Ninkasi Collaboration Old Ale
118. 21st Amendment McCoy’s Serious Stout... Seriously
119. 21st Amendment Back in Black

Back to Magnolia
120. Magnolia Saras Ruby Mild
121. Magnolia Brant Hill ESB
122. Magnolia Kalifornia Kolsch
123. Magnolia Prescription Pale Ale
124. Magnolia Spud Boys India Pale Ale
125. Magnolia Weekapaug Gruit
126. Magnolia Weather Report Wheat
127. Magnolia Big Cypress Brown Ale
128. Magnolia Long Break Bitter
129. Magnolia Blue Bell Bitter (nice!)

I wanted to hide this one but... I'll list it anyway. My host offered this one
130. Budwaiser

And something that goes well with seafood chowder at the Fisherman's Dwarf
131. Samuel Adams - Boston Lager