• Please visit and share your knowledge at our sister communities:
  • If you have not, please join our official Homebrewing Facebook Group!

    Homebrewing Facebook Group

Home brewing in Japan

Homebrew Talk

Help Support Homebrew Talk:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
I try not to trust a online shopping website that doesn't mention company details, that no one has ever mentioned until recently, and is being repeatedly mentioned by a new user with 5 out of his 6 posts recommending it.
 
I knew there were personal interests involved.

There is a section for vendors by the way, instead of advertising your store in every asia-related thread.

Also: What the hell are poo bags?
 
I have been getting my hops shipped from America. Its cheaper than any homebrew shops in Japan. I buy 4# (8 half pounds of different varieties) and it lasts me 6 months. Plus I hook my buddies up. Was ordering from midwest but now using bruhahops.com

I think this is a pretty poor way to advertise and you have lost my respect as a vendor. I have no problem with people promoting their services but what you have done here is boarderline lying. You let us assume you are just another brewer here in Japan and have found a great place. We find out you are the owner or part of bruhahops. Not only that you don't even have your facts correct. Midwest does not ship directly to Japan. So you miss lead us on that as well. I now question whether you have ever even been in Japan. I do not think I will be using your services or recommending you to anyone. I will maintain the relationships I have with vendors that do not mislead from the very beginning and that have shown respect for my business from day one. In my opinion you would do far better just being open and upfront with your intentions and promotions.
 
I have a stout/porter thing going in the primary but I think it's stuck at 1.040ish (OG was 1.065ish). I fear it may be because I did a 60 minute boil and yet forgot to aerate the wort. What to do...

I'm doing krausening with this one and I have a small amount of unfermented wort, I could really aerate that and the active yeast could help it a lot, but I would end up with bottle bombs that way.
 
You can pick up small used freezers for cheap and use them for fermantation with a temp control. As for lab gear, try monotaro.com. They also have copper pipe for chillers, SS pipe fittings. I have also noticed lately that Amazon has expanded what they will ship overseas and usually quite reasonable.
 
Has anyone made a chiller over her yet? How hard was it if someone has? Good idea on the fridge. You could probably find one in the Metropolis.
 
Finally tracked down those vials sold in smaller quantities. Until now I was only able to find ones sold in packs of thousands (since these are intended for research institutions and such)

http://www.toseiyoki.co.jp/material/glass/491

Comes in packs of 100 or 50, and at 100ish apiece.

Amazon has some, too.

http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=sr_nr...ネジ口試験管&ie=UTF8&qid=1351781122&rnid=2017390051

The name of this kind of product is ネジ口試験管(neji guchi shikenkan).
 
Anyone have any issues with Advanced Brewing? I have been trying to call them for days but no answer. I want to order a few things but had a question. Thinking of getting me some copper tubing they have to make a wort chiller too.
 
I haven't ordered from them, I have heard that he might have had a bit of trouble back in August but lately I have been a bit out of touch with the "offline" homebrewers. Maybe shoot a question into the "Japan Beer Times" forum if you still cant get ahold of him. That forum is manned by people who know the owner of Advanced personally and they might be able to let you know whats up.

Wort (immersion) chillers are easy to make, I recommend making one over buying one every time! However the first thing you should note is the length of any chiller if you buy it, the surface area and the speed which it chills depends on it. Its super easy, go buy a coil of small diameter copper pipe, (I got 10 meters it seems that is standard package size). Once you have the pipe in hand at the hardware store, go to the section where they sell tubing and attachments for garden hoses to faucets. Get enough tubing to run from your faucet to your pot, and another section from the pot to the drain. You will need 2-3 hose clamps to make sure the tubes stay on the copper pipe. Slowly bend the copper pipe into a coil leaving enough on the ends to go up and "gooseneck" over the top of the pot. You want the hoses attached a little distance from the pot and DEFINITELY on the outside of the pot! This prevents accidents, leaking cooling water into wort could contaminate it... Lots of tutorials on this site though, check em out :D

Another note if you are using a chiller for the first time, turn the water on SLOW, full blast through a small diameter hose will likely blow it off the pipe and you will have water get all up in the wort. I flared the ends of mine a bit so the copper hold the hoses a bit tighter. Yes I made that mistake one time ;)
 
monotaro looks awesome, all sorts of hardware! Great for us since a lot of brewing gear will be self-constructed. They even have stainless tri-clamps!

toseiyoki looks great too! It looks like you have to order the lids and seals as separate parts for those vials.

Cheers!
 
I haven't ordered from them, I have heard that he might have had a bit of trouble back in August but lately I have been a bit out of touch with the "offline" homebrewers. Maybe shoot a question into the "Japan Beer Times" forum if you still cant get ahold of him. That forum is manned by people who know the owner of Advanced personally and they might be able to let you know whats up.

Wort (immersion) chillers are easy to make, I recommend making one over buying one every time! However the first thing you should note is the length of any chiller if you buy it, the surface area and the speed which it chills depends on it. Its super easy, go buy a coil of small diameter copper pipe, (I got 10 meters it seems that is standard package size). Once you have the pipe in hand at the hardware store, go to the section where they sell tubing and attachments for garden hoses to faucets. Get enough tubing to run from your faucet to your pot, and another section from the pot to the drain. You will need 2-3 hose clamps to make sure the tubes stay on the copper pipe. Slowly bend the copper pipe into a coil leaving enough on the ends to go up and "gooseneck" over the top of the pot. You want the hoses attached a little distance from the pot and DEFINITELY on the outside of the pot! This prevents accidents, leaking cooling water into wort could contaminate it... Lots of tutorials on this site though, check em out :D

Another note if you are using a chiller for the first time, turn the water on SLOW, full blast through a small diameter hose will likely blow it off the pipe and you will have water get all up in the wort. I flared the ends of mine a bit so the copper hold the hoses a bit tighter. Yes I made that mistake one time ;)

Thanks for the great info. I will for sure do as you suggest. I actually ordered the immersion kit that Advanced Brewer sells for 6,000 yen. I went to the home center today to see if they had copper tubing but couldn't find it. I figure 6,000 for 10 meters and some of the other things they include is a fair price. Probably couldn't get it that cheap actually. Good point on the open the water slow, I have had the hose pop outside several times and would hate for that to happen on my wort. How did you flare your ends? I like that idea.
 
Yeah 6000 yen is alright, it comes with hoses to attach to the faucet right? Saves some time, I think the tubing I bought alone was more than 4000 yen so at most you might save a few hundred yen doing it yourself. I flare the ends a little bit by putting a pair of needle nose pliers in and twisting it around several times. You need to go with light pressure so you don't crack the tube. If you put too much flare on it, it will be difficult to get the hose back on. Softening the hose with hot water then stretching it a bit with the pliers should allow you to do that.

Quick question, which tubing do you guys recommend? I generally see 4 kinds at the Japanese hardware stores; clear vinyl, translucent pink vinyl, braided vinyl (clear), and stretchy rubber. The braided is the strongest and can take some pressure from water or air (not sure the psi rating), but the ends have exposed frayed braiding that I feel is a contamination risk so I only use it for the inlet of my chiller. The clear vinyl kinks easily but is the cheapest, and the rubber (silicone?) is very expensive but durable looking. I don't know if the pink is OK to use but I use it, will dyes leach into the beer?
 
The pink tubes, if I remember correctly, are for alcohols(not specifically ethanol, but "alcohols" as a chemistry term). Dunno exactly where they are used, maybe lawnmowers and the such? They are durable I suppose, but too little elasticity isn't good when you're trying to slip on copper tubing.

The clear vinyl is cheap, but you can't boil them to disinfect, and they supposedly degrade faster. Of course, they are cheap enough that you can replace them occasionally. I like them personally, they are the second best choice in my opinion.

The semi-transparent tubes are silicon. They are more expensive but they are durable and is chemically stable enough that you can boil them, put them in bleach and whatever. In my opinion, they have just about the right elasticity to use with metal tubes. Note that they are good at collecting dust, so keep them in covered when you're not going to be using it for a long time, or make sure you give it a good wash.

Yellow tubing is natural rubber and is out of question.

Dunno about the braided ones. Gardening use probably, I wouldn't bother with them.
 
Thanks, good to know about the pink tubing. I prefer it because it is less prone to kink and can take more pressure. I will someday want to keg and I will need to source pressure rated tubing at that time. None of these options are adequate although I wouldnt be surprised if the braided hose worked well for airlines.
 
What tubing you get will depend on what you will use it for. Running water to the chiller - garden hoses work fine (when I brew indoors, I find the washing machine quick release easy to tap into). Silicon tubing for hot wort is best, and will take some pressure as well if you get a pump. Some of the braided hose is food grade and will take higher temp and pressure too. I use some of that to connect brew pot to pump. Vinyl tubing is fine for transferring wort from fermentor to bottling or kegs. Different tubes for different jobs.
 
Yum yum. Gueuze. Cheeze/Leather on the nose and ripe lemons or grapefruit in flavour.

683796121.jpg


I wonder if there are any lambics made in Japan, commercial or homebrew.
 
Great thread! I heard about this thread from a facebook post on freezing yeast. I've been homebrewing in Japan, (Kashiwa in Chiba prefecture) for a few years now. Another great place for cheap supplies is Yahoo Auctions- that's where I was able to source my mashtun (cooler), a glass carboy, pumps, even some corney kegs and just started kegging with a chest-freezer/ 2tap set up last week.

@mpearce you live in Noda, which is practically in my back yard! we should meet up at a bar in Kashiwa sometime and talk shop!
 
Great thread! I heard about this thread from a facebook post on freezing yeast. I've been homebrewing in Japan, (Kashiwa in Chiba prefecture) for a few years now. Another great place for cheap supplies is Yahoo Auctions- that's where I was able to source my mashtun (cooler), a glass carboy, pumps, even some corney kegs and just started kegging with a chest-freezer/ 2tap set up last week.

@mpearce you live in Noda, which is practically in my back yard! we should meet up at a bar in Kashiwa sometime and talk shop!

Wow, awesome! Would love to hook up with you for a chat and a beer. Let me know when you would have some time and we can arrange something. Feel free to email me at [email protected]
 
The enthusiasm in this thread is awesome.

I hear that Corneys are used by both McDonald's and Coca-Cola. Know anyone? Although a little pricey, this site sells a tool to open Sankey-S kegs:

http://www5.ocn.ne.jp/~wyi/tarudume_folder/tarudume.html

Heads, and permanent-jockey box style servers can be had for relatively cheaply on Yahoo Auctions.

There are food-grade water bottles available for free at Advanced Brewing. They are used Munton's extract containers, 21 liters each. Easily cleaned out with a water bath, followed by baking soda or Oxiclean. 550 yen shipping for 3 per package. I use them for Apfelwein, secondaries, and occasionally primaries. I have 6, with 6 more on the way.

Bottles are also available in small size, although they are harder to come by. Not sure if they are 333 or 350 ml. If you know someone at a liquor shop or bar that will give you the case/bottles for the deposit fee, it's a good deal. IMO, the Asahi bottles seem to be the strongest.

Kegging- Japanese line will work for barbed foreign connections. With a little heat (boil) and elbow grease (push like hell), they go right on. Personally, I don't own any corneys, but have done this for picnic taps, etc.

I recently found out from some friends that Asahi sells malted barley and wheat! The selection is slim, but the prices are great!

Kampai!
 
Nice! This thread is really starting to pick up members in Japan! I will have to check out Yahoo Auctions I was wondering where I should start looking for corny kegs when I get to kegging.
 
Just started a Japan Group. Please join!

With shipping as dirt cheap as it is here, being country-wide isn't really an issue!
 
there are actually a lot more of us out there than you'd think.

Let's keep our common goal alive...good beer.
 
Thanks for making the group! I didn't realize there was that feature and had created a "club" as well. Maybe if enough people join the group we will have a reason for the club :) I want to have multiple threads for Japan so it doesn't just turn to randomness, but dont really know the best way to keep them together so to speak. Will the group do that? Maybe post a new thread to specifically announce the group, that should help people connect.

BTW I should make it to Kanda tomorrow night for a pint at Devilcraft. Taking my girlfriend to a concert and we will be crashing at a hotel nearby. If anyone wants to come drink with us I should be easy to spot - a white guy with dreads. Concert starts at 7:30 so might only make it to the bar shortly before 11.:mug:
 
I recently found out from some friends that Asahi sells malted barley and wheat! The selection is slim, but the prices are great!

:drunk: You have my full attention...:rockin:

A bit of google-fu brought me to their web page, but with no prices... have you contacted them before WhoZit? I'm almost out of base malt and their jouzouyou malt (which I imagine is a normal US style 2row) and might be interested in a bag if the price is right.

http://www.asahibeermalt.co.jp/product/malt-hop/

OppamBrendan, I work (most days) around a 15min walk from Devilcraft, and I think I may have seen you there before? :drunk: unfortunately tomorrow I have to work across town and have a late night date with a double IPA that needs brewing!:mug:

mpearce, great! I'll send you an email tomorrow
 
I assume they will only sell to other businesses (will have to check)
Technically we should also be able to start a company to buy from them, order in bulk, and "resell" to ourselves for zero profit (only expenses).
It is a shame since they have malt extracts and a fair selection of malts.

However, I do think that buying from advanced brewing and the like is better, because although bypassing domestic grain/homebrew suppliers will be cheaper for us, it doesn't help the japanese homebrewing community as a whole. Sakeland has great deals on bulk orders of grain, and since we have a good number of homebrewers in the kanto region, buying bulk together and splitting it up is IMO the best way.
 
There's an order form. I only have my cell phone on me now. I believe it was 4500 for 20-25 kg for base malt. A little bit more for wheat, and still a bit more for roast or their 2 varieties of crystal. I believe shipping is about 1000 yen per.

I can't take all the credit for this find. I was really happy when I found it and just wanted to spread the word. Personally I haven't ordered from them yet, but apparently it's pretty easy. I plan on getting base malt and wheat at the end of this month. I can't imagine buying 20kg of crystal 80 or roast, so my specialties still continue from AB.

As far as the group goes, I always wondered about it and just gave it a shot. I'm guessing anyone subscribed to the group will get notifications and such whenever somebody posts there. Might be a good place to organize group buys, too.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top