Home brewing in Japan

[OppamaBrendan]

Welcome to the thread! Its been quiet in here this summer probably many of us are having some down time with our brewing due to the heat. You are close enough to Okinawa to perhaps meet up with the brewers there sometime I suppose!

I am still pretty basic myself, I have one recipe I like-that I keep tweaking but have struck out with 3 batches of drinkable but forgettable brews this past year.

How do you get supplies in Hiroshima? Do you use the Japanese online shops or order from somewhere internationally?

Cheers!
B

 

[lordCONAN]

Okinawa is still a bit of a hike!

I mostly order my supplies online (advanced brewing, sake land, and the like).

With a costco having just been built in Hiroshima, I'm thinking about doing an apple cider in the upcoming autumn now I can get cheap apple juice!

 

[surume]

Beginning to get a little cooler now that we're in September.

A few more degrees lower and it's homebrewing season again...

 

[mpearce]

Beginning to get a little cooler now that we're in September.

A few more degrees lower and it's homebrewing season again...

I just powered through and kept brewing with some kits. Doing my first all grain today though.

 

[surume]

I was discussing the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (computer game) with my friend the other day and got on the topic of English/Scottish ales in the middle ages. The ones with herbs instead of hops.

According to the Joy of Homebrewing, heather and juniper are things I could use in a traditional Scottish Ale. But since I'm limited to ingredients I could get in Japan, I'm wondering what to use.

-Ginger
-Juniper (I've seen dried ones on supermarket shelves)
-Oats

Spruce and heather, I don't see much of in Japan. There are different varieties of them and I have no idea which ones are native to Scotland either...

Any ideas?

 

[mpearce]

I was discussing the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (computer game) with my friend the other day and got on the topic of English/Scottish ales in the middle ages. The ones with herbs instead of hops.

According to the Joy of Homebrewing, heather and juniper are things I could use in a traditional Scottish Ale. But since I'm limited to ingredients I could get in Japan, I'm wondering what to use.

-Ginger
-Juniper (I've seen dried ones on supermarket shelves)
-Oats

Spruce and heather, I don't see much of in Japan. There are different varieties of them and I have no idea which ones are native to Scotland either...

Any ideas?

Most nurseries in Japan have juniper, several kinds usually. You might find spruce too.

 

[OppamaBrendan]

I second the idea of hitting up a nursery. It can be cheaper too for many things. For example, I could buy dried rosemary at the super for 200 yen, or get a live plant for the same price that has more leaves on it and is fresh.
Coriander you can buy seed for, but seeds are usually overpriced. You might be better off buying a bulk bag of coriander spice from a spice store. I find spices on amazon.jp are pretty reasonable in qtys of 500gm or more.

 

[surume]

Haha, I was thinking the exact thing about herbs the other day. For a few sprigs of rosemary/mint/thyme you have to pay 200-300 yen at the supermarket, but potted plants are 200 yen and you can grow them as much as you want

Didn't know nurseries had juniper... The nursery I went to indeed did have some spruce, but I wasn't old enough to recognize juniper

 

[OppamaBrendan]

Best thing to do it identify what plants you want to use, write their latin name down and bring that to the nursery. There is no confusion when using latin names, and if they don't have it they may be able to order it for you. Im thinking of getting some of these into my garden now that you mention it.

Heather is an invasive species in New Zealand, it may be restricted here.

Also applicable if you are growing your own- " the heather must be cleaned carefully before brewing, as the undersides of the leaves may contain a dusting of an ergot-like fungus, which is a hallucinogenic intoxicant"

I remember drinking Froach and it was really good, I hope you have success it will be worth the effort!

 

[OppamaBrendan]

Tomorrow's brew has a theme. It's gaikoku grains. Corn, Oats, Wheat, Barley, and Rye!

Recipe: Gaikokumugi Pale Ale
Brewer: Brendan
Asst Brewer:
Style: American Pale Ale
TYPE: All Grain
Taste: (30.0)

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Boil Size: 19.10 l
Post Boil Volume: 15.60 l
Batch Size (fermenter): 14.00 l
Bottling Volume: 12.50 l
Estimated OG: 1.054 SG
Estimated Color: 7.8 SRM
Estimated IBU: 37.6 IBUs
Brewhouse Efficiency: 72.00 %
Est Mash Efficiency: 77.1 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amt Name Type # %/IBU
14.00 l Oppama Japan Water (Sagami River Sourced Water 1 -
1.00 kg Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 2 29.0 %
1.00 kg Wheat Malt, Pale (Weyermann) (2.0 SRM) Grain 3 29.0 %
0.80 kg Maris Otter (Crisp) (4.0 SRM) Grain 4 23.2 %
0.20 kg Oats, Flaked (1.0 SRM) Grain 5 5.8 %
0.20 kg Rye Flour (3.0 SRM) Grain 6 5.8 %
0.15 kg Caramel/Crystal Malt - 80L (80.0 SRM) Grain 7 4.3 %
0.10 kg Corn, Flaked (1.3 SRM) Grain 8 2.9 %
12.00 g Perle [7.50 %] - Boil 60.0 min Hop 9 16.2 IBUs
12.00 g Perle [7.50 %] - Boil 30.0 min Hop 10 12.4 IBUs
20.00 g Bobek [2.90 %] - Boil 15.0 min Hop 11 5.2 IBUs
20.00 g Bobek [2.90 %] - Boil 10.0 min Hop 12 3.8 IBUs
20.00 g Bobek [2.90 %] - Boil 0.0 min Hop 13 0.0 IBUs
1.0 pkg Safale American (DCL/Fermentis #US-05) Yeast 14 -

 

[OppamaBrendan]

Update to the list of sanitizers and cleaners listed at the start of this thread:
***UPDATE*** Bleach is packaged color coded in kitchen and laundry variations for Japan. The kitchen version is in a green bottle with a pink cap, laundry type in a blue bottle with dark blue cap. I had always overlooked the blue capped bottle assuming it was ammonia or some other chemical not to be confused with bleach The label on the green (kitchen) bleach lists ingredients as: 次亜塩素酸ナトリウム 塩素系,
アルキルアミンオキシド, 水酸化ナトリウム・ アルカリ性 (Sodium hypochlorite chlorine, Alkyl amine oxide, Sodium hydroxide) and the blue bottle lists ingredients as: 次亜塩素酸ナトリウム 塩素系,水酸化ナトリウム アルカリ性
The difference seems to be Alkyl amine oxide which wikipedia lists as a surfactant. I have been using this pink capped bottle in my no-rinse sanitizer solution and never suspected this might be causing head retention issues.

I have had head retention issues that I have not understood the source of. No taste of infection, using specialty grains to improve head retention, and carbonating properly yet my beers seemed to be fairly poor on visual presentation. I think this was possibly the cause for me, but will have to start a new beer to see if there is a difference. Im going to switch to the blue capped bleach from now on anyway, it still has the active ingredients needed.
Cheers!
B

 

[tektonjp]

I was just cruising back through the beginning of this thread and Oppama mentioned the large amounts of cornie kegs here in Japan. I find it to be the opposite. Please tell me where to look because I could use some more.

 

[OppamaBrendan]

Haha, sorry I suppose coming from Canada it seemed like a lot. I was seeing quite a few stacked outside restaurants at times when I wrote that though. I don't really think they are being used for beer so perhaps soda companies are still using them? I never looked into it. If you have a safe way to use/open/reseal a commercial beer keg valve of any type, it seems easier to get your hands on other keg styles here.
**Edit** Looks like I was wrong, there are cornelius style bodies but most have regular commercial valves. :smack::smack:

Auction sites sometimes sell kegs, although I don't know how legal it is to re-purpose for your own use or to even sell them like that. (http://auction.item.rakuten.co.jp/11513359/a/10003907/?news=c2c_shop_1)
I have seen occasionally breweries posting on beer sites that they are liquidating older kegs, and looking for buyers. Usually they are looking for bulk purchasers though. AB still sells corny kegs (or at least they arent listed as sold out) on this page: http://advanced-brewing.com/0_keg.html
Personally I would probably go with a commercial keg from one of the big 3. Yeah its probably not legit but Kirin et al have keg stables on a massive scale, and distribute very convenient sized kegs between 5L and full size. Deposit is cheap and if you dont damage it in anyway and return it after use it is an ethical grey zone. I haven't done this, its just a hypothetical. I have 2 couplers and a tap and would love to keg someday but other things come first...

Bottling my APA today. A few days overdue, but better late than never!

 

[Fencdar]

Hey all, I'm just getting into homebrewing- started my first batch ever with a friend yesterday, and got bleach on my only pair of jeans.

I don't know if you all know, but apparently Brewland is now listing their items on amazon.co.jp! (I discovered this by accident searching for cheaper sanitizer.) Now you can use those stupid amazon gift cards on brewing gear! For some reason, while most items are the same price as on their site, a few are slightly higher. Ex: the bottle filler is 730 on their site, 780 on amazon. Also, hops are listed under Pet Supplies > Bird treats ??

 

[ShizuokaBrad]

Thinking about my first brew since the summer. Not sure what to go for this time… Suggestions?

Btw, the biwa wheat ale was awesome!

 

[OppamaBrendan]

Welcome and congrats on your first brew! Thanks for pointing out the Amazon bit as well, I thought that was them that occasionally showed up on searches.

For some reason, while most items are the same price as on their site, a few are slightly higher. Ex: the bottle filler is 730 on their site, 780 on amazon. Also, hops are listed under Pet Supplies > Bird treats ??

I think with Amazon and Rakuten and similar sites you find they take a cut for the hosting of the products. I usually switch between amazon or rakuten for other shopping and try to find the cheapest, sometimes there is free shipping on one or the other that saves me 700 yen or so. I am glad they dont list the hops as dog treats, that can make them sick!


SB, I have ran into 3 people total who have picked a rye american pale ale for their first autumn beer. Complete coincidence, weird! Did you decide on something now? Great to hear the biwa turned out! My biwa and ume wine is really getting much better, I drank a bottle during late September and the acid is coming down a lot. I think I will let the other bottles sit until winter is over, perhaps enjoy them in the spring.

 

[Fencdar]

Tomizawa Shoten


This place carries lots of flours and sugars and other materials! I picked up some beet sugar for my upcoming tripel. Probably a Tokyo-only brand though...

 

[Fencdar]

While looking in vain for something I could use to make a Grain Bag, I noticed this pump. It's apparently made to siphon kerosene for heaters, but I wonder if it would work for wort too. Has anyone tried?

 

[OppamaBrendan]

I have seen these but never tried one for kerosene or wort. How much are they?
First thing to check is if it can be effectively cleaned and sanitized, if so, then is it food grade? If it passes those questions, then will it handle hot liquids up to 100C? Can it run for a fairly long time continuously? Lastly, the cost should be worthwhile.

If you buy a pump, you might as well be looking for something to also use to recirculate and transfer hot liquids, which can increase your brew-house safety and efficiency. Watching my friend mash in with his pump running hot water through his mash tun to preheat to the perfect temp compared to my hand transferring of scalding water really sealed the deal for me. After the mash he recirculated to vorlouf, and pumped the runoff into his brewkettle without moving anything except some hose connections.

If you are looking for a pump, there are cheap 12 volt pumps called "solar pumps" you can buy online that are food grade and rated for over 100 C temps. I just ordered one myself, from a store on aliexpress it will be about 1700 yen including shipping. I have a DC adapter to power the pump already otherwise it would be a bit more.

If you are looking just to transfer cooled liquids, then an autosiphon is just as good in my opinion. I haven't seen them for sale in Japan yet, but are easy to find online.

 

[OppamaBrendan]

BTW, its not something everyone agrees on but my go-to grain bag is a couple of laundry bags from Daiso. They list the ingredients on them so you can check that it is made of plastic that is safe up to 130 C or more. They are as food grade as any other I am guessing, but wash them in hot or boiling water before first use.
I like them because they have many sizes, and the lingerie type has a fine mesh that holds crushed grain pretty good. They have zippers, made of plastic that can withstand boiling temps, so I just zipper it closed and let the bag float free in a BIAB mash. They are cheap, so if you want to you can just drain and throw the whole thing out, easy cleanup. (I have a compost so I do that instead).
They are not really huge, so I will use a few of them in a BIAB instead of one. It is easier to lift out smaller bags of saturated grain than one huge one anyway.

 

[Fencdar]

BTW, its not something everyone agrees on but my go-to grain bag is a couple of laundry bags from Daiso.

Just got my tripel in the fermenter. Thanks for the awesome advice, Brendan! The laundry bag worked great!

 

[EOD_supraguy]

Any home brewers located in Misawa? I'm looking to get a small home brew club together. Share brews, ideas, and have some small brewing events. I'm here for another three years.

 

[OppamaBrendan]

EOD You are the first that I know of to post from as far north as Misawa! I had to look up where that was, and then of course I had to check the climate. Lucky you! You just need a heat pad and you are set all year!
Hope you find some people to brew with up there even if it means converting people to homebrewing first

Fencdar a tripel? Wow, that must have been pretty heavy to bag out!

 

[Fencdar]

Fencdar a tripel? Wow, that must have been pretty heavy to bag out!

It was a small batch (<12L), so no serious issues. The mash was amazingly thick, though. My OG was 1.083, shooting for 1.088- not bad for a first-timer, I hope.

Any home brewers located in Misawa? I'm looking to get a small home brew club together. Share brews, ideas, and have some small brewing events. I'm here for another three years.

I'm in Tokyo, but hoping to get up to Misawa soon for business (I is a vendar!). Maybe we can meet up for a beer then!

 

[OppamaBrendan]

It was a small batch (<12L), so no serious issues. The mash was amazingly thick, though. My OG was 1.083, shooting for 1.088- not bad for a first-timer, I hope.

Thats one of the other things about BIAB that I like, efficiency is usually pretty good. If you could dunk it into another pot with hot water you could probably get a small beer out of a "second sparge", although i dont know what style you would call it.

 

[Fastforwardx2]

Hello guys,

I am new to brewing and glad to see all of this useful information about brewing in Japan. I am located in Iwakuni which is about an hour or less south of Hiroshima. I am just introducing myself to the thread and seeing if there are any other home brewers in the area.

A little about myself is last year for Christmas my in-laws got me a Mr. Beer Kit with 3 standard recipe kits. First one I brewed was the Grand Bohemian Czech Pilsner which my buddies and I agreed it was pretty good. I did not have much luck with my 2nd brew attempt ( Aztec Mexican Cervesa ) was horrible which I think was contaminated; it was bad enough that I poured it down the drain. The third recipe kit was the St. Patrick's Irish Stout which I still haven't made. I did buy 3 additional recipe kits: White IPA - 2013 Spring Seasonal which is in the fermentor and will be bottling it tomorrow or the next day, Beach Babe Blonde which I have not made yet, and finally is the Raspberry Wheat which has been bottled for two weeks now. I have been doing a lot of research and have decided to upgrade to a 5 gallon batch kit with a couple recipe kits ; which I got from Midwest Supplies online. I am lucky that I can ship through the USPS since I am in the Military which is still expensive but not as expensive as getting it shipped other ways.

Sorry for the long post but I have one more question. I was wanting to try and brew some lagers and was wondering if any one had any good ways to keep the fermentation temps low enough for the lager yeast?

Thanks for any help and all the info on this thread.

 

[Drifting79]

If you can get cheap postage then you're laughing
More beer in the states would be he way to go for a lot of your stuff
As far as lagers go a fermentation fridge is the way to go

Look up stc-1000 on here and ebay!

 

[EOD_supraguy]

I'm in Tokyo, but hoping to get up to Misawa soon for business (I is a vendar!). Maybe we can meet up for a beer then!

PM me when you're thinking about coming to the area. I'll let you know what I have bottled. I have a brown ale and a pumpkin beer almost ready to go!

 

[OppamaBrendan]

Welcome to the thread!
The Okinawa brewing enthusiasts are the ones closest to you I think, and many are military as well as far as I know. They have a group on FaceBook I think you can message them there to get added if you are on FB as well.

I don't know how cool it gets there but right now it is perfect lager brewing temp in kanagawa! A freezer with an stc 1000 is probably the way to go, I have an stc but no freezer yet and looking forward to that.
Cheers!
B

 

[mpearce]

Hello guys,

I am new to brewing and glad to see all of this useful information about brewing in Japan. I am located in Iwakuni which is about an hour or less south of Hiroshima. I am just introducing myself to the thread and seeing if there are any other home brewers in the area.

A little about myself is last year for Christmas my in-laws got me a Mr. Beer Kit with 3 standard recipe kits.

Sorry for the long post but I have one more question. I was wanting to try and brew some lagers and was wondering if any one had any good ways to keep the fermentation temps low enough for the lager yeast?

Thanks for any help and all the info on this thread.

Mr. Beer is how many start. You can get a drinkable beer but once you go into extract kits you will make very good beer that others will beg for from you. MoreBeer is the best place for getting things shipped here. They are priced well and quick.

As for your Lager, if you are down south then you will need some kind of temp control right now. I would recommend that you wait until later in the winter then all you need is to keep the beer warm. Right now even in Tokyo we need a way to keep the beer cold enough. Without a freezer or refridgerator you won't be able to keep it cold enough and consistant.