At last there is a Japanese beer on the shelves at the LCBO that is not Asahi or the ubiquitous Sapporo. In fact, this beer, the full name of which is Hitachino Real Ginger Brew, is about as far away from Asahi/Sapporo as you can get. It is also a solid indication that the craft brewing movement is truly a worldwide phenomenon.

The Ginger Brew definitely lives up to its name, with an easily detectable ginger flavour – not like a hot, spicy Jamaican ginger beer, but more like a classic spiced ale. It is fairly sweet with the ginger/spice flavour up front and a bit of brown sugar at the finish. It is also the cloudiest bottled beer I have seen in a long time, so I am thinking this is an unfiltered beer. The 7% ABV is also well hidden.

Full marks for their label design (what do owls have to do with beer though?):

I also picked up nine pounds of Montmorency sour cherries this week, and spent the better part of today washing, pitting and freezing them for future use, likely in a cherry lambic. I missed out on them last year, so I was happy to get my hands on a bucket. They seem to come and go pretty quickly when they are in season. That or I do not live near a decent supermarket (these came from a farmer’s market). They are quite tart, so I hope this character carries over into whatever beer I make from them.

Finally, last night I stopped in at Bar Volo for the launch of Microbrasserie Charlevoix in Ontario. I have always sought out their beers when I am in Quebec, so it is great news that their products will be turning up at bars in our province. I was glad to finally try the Dominus Vobiscum Hibernus and the Dominus Vobiscum Lupulus  which always seem to be sold out when I visit Quebec. Later we ventured to the Only Cafe, which had hosted a Charlevoix launch event of it’s own on Friday, and they were sold out of Charlevoix – a good sign that there is demand for these excellent beers.