Home brewing in Japan

[mpearce]

Its not customs that has a problem with star san its the airlines. As a hazardous material it isn't supposed to fly. 5 star chemicals (producers of SS) replied to my inquiry on the topic with a "You can't take it on a plane".

That hasn't stopped plenty of people from doing so, but just be aware that it could be confiscated. Don't put it in your carry on. Make sure the lid is on tight and consider wrapping duct tape for an extra level of sealing.

I would NOT wrap it with duct tape. That will look very suspicious. They seal it just fine. You wrap it I will bet money they open it then.

 

[Fencdar]

Welcome to the forum. New here myself.



I have actually bought starsan in Japan. I don't anticipate any issues bringing it in.

Really? Where?

I've been really hating the extra rinsing that bleach requires, and would be overjoyed to buy some if any of the retailers actually sold it.


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[CB_in_Tokyo]

http://www.homebrewing-service.com/scfta-sanitizer.htm

Looks like they have some. This is where I bought it last time. I love starsan!

 

[Fencdar]

I think those guys are out of business. I put an order in with them a month ago and I still haven't gotten any response or package.


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[CB_in_Tokyo]

I think those guys are out of business. I put an order in with them a month ago and I still haven't gotten any response or package.


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That would be tragic! I need more starsan soon.

Edit: Just tried to place an order with them. I will update if I get it.

 

[sprouseusnavy]

Moved out to Yokosuka a few months ago and finally got back into homebrewing once I found some places that would ship out here. Now I'm trying to upgrade to all-grain, however, with shipping costs it nulls out my primary reason for wanting to do so. Does any one have a line on some grain supplies local to Japan, or cheap options of shipping anywhere else??? Getting desperate here!!

 

[Fencdar]

Moved out to Yokosuka a few months ago and finally got back into homebrewing once I found some places that would ship out here. Now I'm trying to upgrade to all-grain, however, with shipping costs it nulls out my primary reason for wanting to do so. Does any one have a line on some grain supplies local to Japan, or cheap options of shipping anywhere else??? Getting desperate here!!

Check the very first post in this thread- most people use brewland or advanced brewing. Homebrew service may be dead now, we'll see.

RE: Star-San, I'm currently working on ways to get my hands on some. I originally asked a friend to smuggle it in, but he was rather less than excited about trying to get past the TSA with a half-gallon of acid in his luggage. Go figure. Maybe some of our USFJ buddies can get it in? *nudge nudge*

 

[sprouseusnavy]

I saw those awhile back, biggest problem, I can't read Japanese and the google translate works, but not good enough to decipher differences and successfully place an order... Saw a post that said military gets cheaper shipping rates, I'd hate to see full prices...

 

[sprouseusnavy]

RE: Star-San, I'm currently working on ways to get my hands on some. I originally asked a friend to smuggle it in, but he was rather less than excited about trying to get past the TSA with a half-gallon of acid in his luggage. Go figure. Maybe some of our USFJ buddies can get it in? *nudge nudge*

Who's wanting some, and how much-- I'm able to make it to checkout page without any problems..

 

[CB_in_Tokyo]

Moved out to Yokosuka a few months ago and finally got back into homebrewing once I found some places that would ship out here. Now I'm trying to upgrade to all-grain, however, with shipping costs it nulls out my primary reason for wanting to do so. Does any one have a line on some grain supplies local to Japan, or cheap options of shipping anywhere else??? Getting desperate here!!

I brew all grain and sourced everything locally. What supplies are you looking for?

 

[CB_in_Tokyo]

If anyone is interested, I created a Facebook group for Tokyo and area Home Brewers (surprised there was nothing there already).

https://www.facebook.com/groups/409167752562778/

 

[mpearce]

Cool idea.


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[Fencdar]

Who's wanting some, and how much-- I'm able to make it to checkout page without any problems..

I will buy a full 32oz if you can get it. It seems to be very stable while undiluted, so I want as much as I can get my grubby mitts on (so as to make them less grubby, of course).

 

[CB_in_Tokyo]

I will buy a full 32oz if you can get it. It seems to be very stable while undiluted, so I want as much as I can get my grubby mitts on (so as to make them less grubby, of course).

The best thing about starsan is you can reuse it for a long long time. One once of the concentrate will fill a 5 gallon containers, and as long as you clean stuff well, once you sanitize you can dump the sanitize back into storage. I had 8 ounces of the stuff last me for a couple of years.

 

[sprouseusnavy]

I brew all grain and sourced everything locally. What supplies are you looking for?

Mainly grains...equipment, and yeast aren't as hard to get out here. I get my hops directly from a hop farm, I have the ability for liquid yeast online- but would prefer a local source if available. Pound for pound, it cost more to get the grains out here than the cost of the grain itself. I'm probably going to want to start kegging later and will want a place to fill co2, but it's not a major concern of mine right now...

 

[CB_in_Tokyo]

Mainly grains...equipment, and yeast aren't as hard to get out here. I get my hops directly from a hop farm, I have the ability for liquid yeast online- but would prefer a local source if available. Pound for pound, it cost more to get the grains out here than the cost of the grain itself. I'm probably going to want to start kegging later and will want a place to fill co2, but it's not a major concern of mine right now...

Liquid Yeast are a pain in the ass here. I picked up about 8 varieties and will be freezing them.

Sakeland.net has most everything you need from a grain perspective, as well as equipment like fermenters. For my equipment I mostly built my own stuff (bought big pots and added valves and made a mash tun from a cooler.) Regarding grains, you can get them much cheaper from asahi (there is a link in this thread) but I haven't tried it yet. You need to fill out and fax a form in Japanese I believe.

For CO2, the best is to go to a local sake shop and ask for a 5KG gas bombe. They will order one for you. First one costs about 7500 yen (5000 yen deposit) and then the rest of the time you go and exchange the previous one for a full one for around 2500 yen. I haven't found a place that will refill an existing tank.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Steve

 

[OppamaBrendan]

Didn't think about the suspicious tape but good point!

Welcome to the thread! I am also in Yokosuka, in Oppama (hence my ID). I'd be interested in getting a 32 oz bottle of starsan myself just to be set for the next year or more and to be able to help out others with it. I have an extra bottle capper if you want it, its not a stand capper though.

Facebook page is a good idea! Maybe the Kinki brewers and Okinawa Brewers want to join it, lots of people make trips to Kanto once in a while. (Tokyo is apparently the center of the universe)

Last thing, a reminder that anytime anyone wants me to update the original few posts of this thread just send me a PM. I would love to know for sure if that homebrew service is or isn't in business so I can remove it from the links if need be.

PS: just came home from work today to a brand new copy of "Craft Beer in Japan" waiting for me. I'm looking forward to this read.

 

[CB_in_Tokyo]

Homebrew Service Just emailed me saying they'd be shipping my Starsan tomorrow.

Looking good!

 

[Fencdar]

Homebrew Service Just emailed me saying they'd be shipping my Starsan tomorrow.

Looking good!

Yeah I got the automated email, but the stuff never arrived. I've sent emails to two addresses I had for them (order@ and [email protected]), both were returned undelivered.

If they're still in business, I'll just order the StarSan from them, but I'm pretty skeptical.

 

[mpearce]

How much was it?


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[CB_in_Tokyo]

The starsan was around 6000 yen for 32 ounces.

 

[mpearce]

Ouch


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[CB_in_Tokyo]

Expensive, but worth it to me. Should last me 4 or 5 years of regular brewing.

 

[CB_in_Tokyo]

Still haven't received the Starsan, but Home Brewing Service emailed me again saying that due to the influence of the snow last week, my delivery might be delayed. It looks like they are in business.

 

[CB_in_Tokyo]

My Starsan arrived tonight, so they must still be running.

 

[mpearce]

Good to hear. Glad you got it without issue.


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[Fencdar]

I was in a Ramen shop the other day, and I noticed their giant jet burners that are already set in a table. They look like they would be perfect for brewing beer. Has anyone tried using them? If only nanobrewing was legal in Japan...

EDIT: One of these. They're basically burners set in a table, low to the ground, and made to hold giant pots of soup. It seems like you could add a couple of pumps and have yourself a good nanobrewery.

 

[BlackFalls]

I'm pretty sure nano brewing's legal here so long as you go through the licensing. Isn't Zig Zag in Kyoto nano?

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[tektonjp]

I'm pretty sure nano brewing's legal here so long as you go through the licensing. Isn't Zig Zag in Kyoto nano?

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Zig Zag has their own craft beer?

 

[BlackFalls]

Can't really recommend it but it does exist and makes keg sized batches. I'm pretty sure their output would qualify as nano but I could be wrong.
http://r.tabeni.co/zigzag

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