I had been enjoying my time in Japan but had desperately wanted to explore a nice little hole in the wall place. Tokyo is known for all its tiny little bars and restaurants and I wanted a piece of that experience. McTigger’s cousin decided to take us to Sengen-Jaya, not a touristy spot by any means but it was exactly what I was looking for.

It was getting later in the afternoon and we walked around a few dark alleys that weren’t wide enough for more than two people to walk side by side. It was about 6 o’clock and the tiny bars that lined this alley were just starting to open. You could see the men inside getting ready for the night, same as any other bar around the world only these bars had a few less chairs to set up. Every once in a while a businessman would zip by and slide into one of these bars, passing by so many others to enter one that I can only imagine he has visited night after night for years and will continue to for years to come. Sharing stories and unwinding after a long day at the office.

We found ourselves in front of a bar with a little window in front of it, where a woman stood cleaning a grill beckoning us to come in, and so we did. We pushed through the opening and took a seat at one of the maybe 7 stools that were available, from where I sat I could touch the back wall and almost the other side of the bar, it was clearly longer than it was wide which still wasn’t by much. The grill was used to make a traditional style of takoyaki, so we ordered up some along with a few drinks. I started off with a beer to wet my pallet but noticed the gentleman at the end getting something poured out of one of the huge saki bottles at his end of the bar. We started to talk to the owners and sampled a few drinks. The large bottles were mostly sweet sakis and I asked for them to make me a drink of their choice. I should have given some specifications because what came next could only be described as the most effeminate spritzer I’ve ever held. This thing had a straw, and was a bright pink bubbly concoction that was too sweet to taste like anything other than some fruit cocktail of sorts. The gentleman at the end of the bar had a bit of a grin and I sheepishly sipped my drink down.

After about three sips, I decided I needed something to earn back my place among this businessman and we asked for a manly drink, something as far from pink as possible and they grinned and they smirked as they went to work on what they would serve me next.

I knew I was in for something because the gentleman at the end of the bar kept peeking down at me as they mixed up my drink. My drink was simple yet it packed a punch, they called it Kigyo which I was told means little red fish. The fish was a little red chili that was served in my drink that ended up making this the spiciest drink I’ve ever had. I think they got the idea since I was pouring hot sauce on my takoyaki, so they felt I could handle something with a kick. I’m still not sure what was in the drink except the ice didn’t chill it and there was some leaf served in it. This drink was good, that is if you can eat a chili with a smile on your face. I know liquor is supposed to warm you up but this was something new altogether.

The night went by fast, we talked up with the owners and found out was their 3 year anniversary that day and we ended up getting a few parting gifts. They gave us their own takoyaki sauce and two little charms that you can put on your phone. I wanted to revisit the place before we left but I never got the chance, however I highly recommend if you do that you find your self wandering around sangen-jaya that you search out a takoyaki bar called ラヂオ or ‘Radio’ stop in for a bite to eat and maybe a drink or two and if you are up for a challenge ask for a Kigyo.

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*The monkey pic is from the cover of the areas map guide and the star on the map is where the bar is located.

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New Brew Tuesday: Sangenjaya’s Little Red Fish is a post from: Monkey Brewster

Type: Wine – White
Name: Gazela
Price: $9.50
Made: Portugal
Alc/Vol: 9%

“Gazela is a fresh, young and floral, light and smooth wine. Serve chilled at 6-8°C, as an aperitif, with salads, fish or seafood.”

First and foremost before I say anything else I must say one thing, BUBBLES!

I was expecting a wine, not a bubbly non champagne, wine like thing. Now this could merely be my inexperience in the world of wine but it was an unexpected, however pleasant, surprise.

I bought this wine because it was suggested to me as a big seller, being very popular for it’s great price and great flavor. The wine has an almost clear look to it with a light greenness coloring, and before you get all smart and say, “But Cornelius it says it right there on the bottle Vinho Verde” the ‘green’ of the wine doesn’t refer to its color. The green refers to the grape being used while it is young and fresh, aha now you get it. The wine was dry and light with a subtle fruitiness but it is almost taken away by its dry finish. I always wondered what people meant when they say it has a floral taste but now I’m starting to get what they mean. Not that I’ve begun chomping on flowers or anything, come on it’s fall all the flowers are gone.

It has a a fruity freshness that reminds me of biting into a green apple. I could see how this would go well with a its recommended dishes, that is a light summer meal. It almost makes me bitter as I drink it inside because the days of summer picnics are fading fast. However, if you are chilling in a warm summery climate than pop open a bottle of this and let the bubbles fly.

Well, more of a twist than a pop. The wine is a twist bottle, so this is something you would want to finish off shortly after opening, not that this is a bad thing. Yet, I’m not sure how long it will remain fresh seeing that it is both a screw cap and bubbled (carbonated, fermented….oh who cares it’s bubbled) wine but my best guess is to finish it off shortly after opening it.

For the inexpensive price its well worth it, I give this wine 3 out of 5 bubbles…er umm bananas. It was an enjoyable drink, albeit the wrong season to drink it in. However it was a little to tart for my liking.

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New Brew Tuesday: Gazela Vinho Verde is a post from: Monkey Brewster

Efes Pilsen from EfesInternational.com

Type: Beer – Pilsner
Name: Efes
Price: $1.79
Made: Turkey
Alc/Vol: 5%

This beer had no label on the bottle except for the little label placed on the neck of the bottle, smaller than the one shown from EffesInternational.com. However, while this no label bottle had an impression of its name it failed to leave a great impression on me.

This is another one of those forgettable beers, and as it is not a common one in the USA I doubt it will ever become memorable. The smell of honey is mixed in with the aroma, which may be the sweetness mixed into the flavor. The initial taste is strong but goes away fast, and I’m not sure what it all presents, it’s not bitter, or really hoppy nor really sweet its simply a pilsen beer of sorts. There is not really an after taste, but it does leave your mouth dry. There is a thickness to its mouth-feel but not creamy yet not light like I expected either.

It could be that this beer wasn’t ice cold, but I was expecting something light and refreshing coming from Turkey. I just associate hot climate with light refreshing beer, not a semi-thick/creamy dry finish style beer. The only strong feeling I had after this beer was that it made me thirsty. If I was walking in the desert this is not something I would be craving, although the Southeastern Anatolia isn’t the only region so maybe it fairs better in the other regions.

All and all I’d say they should stick to the Turkish Delights because this beer was nothing special in that I’d go after it again, but on the other hand it isn’t something I’d turn down either. It’s a beer and has drinkability so I guess I got to give it that much, because I didn’t think I’d get this much out of it. I give this beer 1 and 1/2 out of 5 bananas, which I feel is a pretty accurate assessment. What’s your take on this beer, does it squabble up a gobble for you? (I’m not even really sure what that means hehe)

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New Brew Tuesday: Efes is a post from: Monkey Brewster

Type: Belgian Wheat Beer

After a few tweets back and forth with HostelDog of, you guessed it, HostelDog.com about Wit Bier or Belgian White beer I had a craving no bud-anything could cure. While this bier (no I’m not drunk, that is how it is spelled and I’m trying to sound all smarty pants about beer. Even though I don’t wear any, they hurt my tail….) is not featured on the Rate Beer List that HostelDog shared with me, it surely was a delight. However, in the world of popular Wit Biers Hoegaarden has crossed my pallet, and I dare say this underdog came up on top.

I’m not sure of the popularity of this beer in the states but Witte means ‘white’ and Kerke means ‘church’, but if you see a tap with a white church on it, look out this may be what you are looking for.

This certainly is  a pepé le pew type beer, giving off a strong scent comparable to a lager style beer, but it loves you so you are OK with it. The difference though is that the smell does not match the taste. While the scent is strong and overpowering, at first it later dissipates as it is given time to breath, the taste is mild with a sweet finish.

The initial taste is hoppy and bitter but only mildly so, it is not nearly overpowering as the smell would indicate. There is that citrus spice that is associated with wit bier but I would guess more lemon like than orange, which is commonly used. The sweet finish begins to fade away after the first few sips, as well as the first hoppy bitter taste leaving a mild and refreshing beer. Overall it is not overpowering in any of the flavors giving it a noticeably distinguishable taste, simply a smooth enjoyable experience. If this was going to be your first ride on experimenting with Belgian style beers this would be the beer that would be gentle with you for your first time. (yes I can equate sex and beer because I’m a dirty little monkey)

This beer is heavier than your light beers with a thick mouth feel, not like that of a Guinness where you have to chew your beer, a happy medium.Which is what this beer left me with, happiness. This beer was overall very enjoyable and I believe would be something that the weekend college Bush Light drinker and your beer connoisseur could both enjoy side by side with a nod of approval.

Overall I give this Belgian beer 4 1/2  out of 5 bananas, and if you ask me that’s pretty friggin banastic all around.

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New Brew Tuesday: Wittekerke is a post from: Monkey Brewster

Photo Property of Paper Moon Vinyards via Facebook

Type: Wine – Lake Erie Cayuga White
Name: Paper Moon – Cayuga White
Price: Free for me, but for you?
Made: Vermillion, OH
Alc/Vol: 11%

I must seem to luck out on local wines because like Matus Winery – American Concord review I did, this lovely bottle came free of charge as well. How did I manage free wine you ask, well just get really upset when someone disposes of the wine  you had. A few weeks back I helped work at a local festival in my hometown of Lorain. After cleanup there were a few bottles of wine left over, I was ready to enjoy these delicious wines when I left them at the festival site. (I know, cardinal sin-esque) I rushed back the next morning only to find they had been pitched, to prevent the high school clean up crew from having at the bottle. I still fail to see why the bottle was punished for this. this left me devastated, truly, alcohol abuse in it’s worse offense. My mother shared my despair at a similar festival with the vineyards, thus the thought of a cute and cuddly little monkey without his wine tore into their hearts. They left a bottle for me, who needs puppy eyes when you have monkey everything?

Now I’m a red wine drinker preferably but I’ll never pass up a free wine especially when it is as good as this Cayuga White. Recently watching Bottle Shock I’ve been affirmed with the idea that great wine can come from anywhere. This one just so happens to be located in my hometown’s backyard of Vermillion, Ohio.

The soft subtly aroma matches its light taste, the cool wine gives off a sweet taste of something I just can’t put my paw on. Is it pear? The finish is not dry, it is listed as semi-dry, but I’m not sure how I would describe it. Their is a slight thick syrupiness that coats your tongue. Not in a spread it on your pancakes syrup but in a doesn’t wash over your tongue lightly leaving only a dry after taste, kind of way.

Where the light taste seems to fade away, the presence of a spicy finish goes down my throat finding a poetic mixture of sweet and spice to create a delicious wine. Where others may say that this wine is mild and forgettable, I say the subtle complexities give it its redeeming characters.

I give this wine a 4 out of 5 bananas, and I hope to find more chances to taste this delicious wine soon. What is your take on this wine, have a different opinion or want to echo what I said? Then leave a comment below.

You can find our more about Paper Moon Vineyard by following them on twitter @PaperMoonVineyard or liking their fan page on Facebook

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New Brew Tuesday: Paper Moon – Cayuga White is a post from: Monkey Brewster

Pisco Sour By caseywest, May 20, 2010 via Flickr Creative Commons

After watching one of the greatest shows ever, Three Sheets, I became sad to see that the host Zane Lamprey never got around to show casing the Peruvian side of this liquor. Instead we only saw the Chilean side, which seems to be more regulated in its creation of Pisco. The side by side taste test will have to wait till I’m able to locate some pisco from Chile, until then these pompous pisco producers will have to deal with a full Pisco breakdown where both sides get a full review.

Some of you may not be too familiar with pisco, but may be more familiar with its Italian cousin grappa. Grappa is made from wine discards while pisco is made from fresh grapes and in Peru it includes the typical discards. Both drinks were once considered a poor man’s drink but nowadays both can be seen in high class cocktails for man and monkey alike.

I’ll try not to pick any sides because I haven’t been to Chile yet, but the Peruvians lay claim as the originators, after all it is named after the town where it was first exported. While Peruvian pisco’s production isn’t under strict regulation like Chile’s, from my experiences in Peru it was still a great drink.

In Chile it is only pisco if it is made from muskrat grapes from the third and fourth region of Chile. While in Peru pisco is made using mainly (but not exclusively) muskrat or italia grapes including skin, seeds and stems along with, at times, corn, grain and sugar cane nectar. (Thanks for the info Zane) Since this Peruvian version does not meet Chilean standards they do not recognize it as Pisco.

Yet don’t let Chile fool you into thinking that Peru doesn’t have their own complex variations of pisco. There are three styles of pisco in Peru: Quebranta, Acholado and Italia. ¹

Now that you know what the heck it is, now on to the important stuff, like how to drink it.

If you have ever had a mojito or caipirinha then you may just like this classic Peruvian/Chilean variation the Pisco Sour. This spirit/liquour mix is made by mixing pisco, sugar, limes, dry egg whites (really?) and bitters. Or if you are like me and are afraid of dumping an egg in your drink you can buy a powdered mix and just add Pisco and ice.

There are other variations and cocktail mixes for pisco, but I tend to stick with the classic.

Why is this drink so important that it must be written about, well my friends this lovely drink has it’s own holiday which lands on the first Saturday in February every year. I’m embarrassed to say that I did not make it to the town of Pisco even though I was less than 30 minutes away in Paracas but that only means I’ll have to make it back there – and this time for the celebration.

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New Brew Tuesday: Pisco is a post from: Monkey Brewster

In 1990, Ichiban’s debut made a splash in the world of super premium beers. The luxurious single wort (or first press) process yields a unique, complex flavor. With his gold label and “Special Premium Reserve” appellation, Ichiban outclasses and outperforms. But don’t be fooled by a snooty attitude — this is a great beer that goes with anything.

What makes Ichiban great

Prominent wort. Finest barley malt, premium hops, smooth finish, no bitter aftertaste.”

I happened to have flung together a nice dinner of sashimi (tuna and salmon) along with a few rice balls for a nice Japanese style dinner, and had this beer in my fridge. My first assumption was that it would be a perfect pairing. It didn’t necessarily fall short of my expectations but it didn’t exceed them either. It is a good beer but it seems like Anheuser-Busch was holding this mystical kirin back from greatness, like a pit bull on a leash it just wasn’t what it was all cracked up to be.

The beer has a nice malty taste with a spicy finish, the malty flavor threw me off because I was expecting a rice beer flavor more like Saparro. Yet here with Kirin Ichiban there was a malt flavor, so I can’t tell what is different since this one hails less from the east where the sun rises and more towards the west coast of California. The spicy finish had a sweet lemon like twist to it that came off nice and full of flavor. So with all this malty spicy goodness why am I complaining, well it tasted as if it was slightly watered down or diluted which is definitely not how I like describing my beers. Especially after you just read the ego stroking description with words like ‘special’, ‘premium’ and ‘luxurious’.

I give this mystical beer a 2.5 out of 5 banana rating. I had higher expectations, especially since I drank this with a Japanese dish. What’s your take on this beer – does it tickle your taste buds or fall short of expectations. Who knows maybe Japanese lagers just aren’t my favorite, but I’ll do some closer examining when I visit Japan this December.

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New Brew Tuesday – Kirin Ichiban is a post from: Monkey Brewster

Type: Beer – Pilsner
Name:  Pilsner Urquell
Price: $1.59
Made: Czech Republic
Alc/Vol: 4.4%

After drinking Staropramen I was a little hesitant about drinking another beer from the Czech Republic, but then again this is ‘The’ pilsner beer, litterally. Any beer that claims pils, pilsner or pilsener however you want to fling it stem from this beer. Being the very first, and still going strong today as a popular style of beer with various versions of you know that they had to do something right.

This beer has that same almost skunky smell, it is strong and where other beers only have the smell this beer also has the strong flavor. Although the strong flavor blends away the more I drink it, and gives away to a nice dry finish.This beer is light and smooth to drink one that could be enjoyed all night, even though the bite of the first sip and scent could be enough to deter even a serious drinker. Though I am a proud drunken monkey who must battle through these difficult beers to ensure you get to try the best out there, and this surely is one of them.

On top of the delicious beer, they also happen to have a Pilsner Urquell Game (NSFW – that is if you can win – because I surely couldn’t get that far) You have to be doing something right if they make a game for you. If you start typing out Pilsner Urquell in Google, this is the first suggestion so it isn’t some tucked away game made by some random fan, no people are serious about this one.

I give this beer 4 1/2 out of 5 bananas, its awesomeness and precedence deserves at least that much. However, I warn you that it is a pils through and through which may turn you away at first but before the bottle is gone I’m sure you’ll become a fan too.

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New Brew Tuesday: Pilsner Urquell is a post from: Monkey Brewster

Type: Beer – Belgian Dark Ale
Name: Rinkuškiai Werewolf
Price: $1.99
Made: Birzai Region Lithuania
Alc/Vol: 8.2%

This big bottle o’ beer knew how to get a drunken monkey’s attention – a big red tag that says, ‘Hey look at me I’m full of alcohol, good and strong not like that sissy crap that might as well be a Zima.’  OK so it actually just says 8.2% alc/vol however on the bottle it does say, “You must be sure you want to taste it.” Which I like because if the she-wolf wasn’t sassy enough that statement makes sure it is.  Truth be told the only thing out of Lithuania that I can name, other than this beer now, is Žydrūnas Ilgauskas who plays for the great Cleveland Cavaliers and I can’t even say his name I just say ‘Z’. Although,this could explain the giant bottle because if the average Lithuanian is 7′ 3″ tall then this wouldn’t seem like that big of a bottle.  So did this beer have me howling at the moon….

Not exactly. I liked the beer and expected a strong bitter taste due to the high alcohol content, but instead it surprised me with a soft sweet taste. The aroma was mild and sweet, which should have tipped me off that this was no malt liquor alcohol stooped broozer of a beer but instead a delicate flavor-full drink. There was only a hint of bitterness to it, with a spicy-hoppy flavor that rested in your throat. The flavor was hard to describe because nothing stuck out in the flavor, which gave me a 180 from what I was expecting.

It has been awhile since I’ve had one, but for some reason I kept thinking of a Sam Adams Winter Lager as something to compare it to. That sweet spiced flavor that was good but more of a specialty beer, not something that I would drink all night. To be honest by the end of the bottle I was done with this beer and ready to move on to a different drink.

I gave this beer a 3 out of 5 bananas, and even then I don’t know where to put it. It’s good but in small doses, full of flavor and spice but not distinctive and it has a high alc/vol but not a strong alcohol taste. I think I was more confused by this beer than anything else which is why it ends up somewhere in the middle. Have you ever tried this beer before, what’s your take on it – love it/hate it let me know and fling me your opinion.

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New Brew Tuesday: Rinkuškiai Werewolf is a post from: Monkey Brewster

OK,  whew breath monkey breath…

Back to the point, and yes I’m sure you are thinking Cinco de Mayo why not choose Corona. Well my furless friend, it is for the same reason I didn’t pick Guinness for my St. Patty’s Day NBT. Although, I didn’t venture far off because the makers of Corona, Grupo Modelo, also happen to make these two popular Mexican beers. I purchased a 6 pack of each costing $8.47 each so that I had fully completed some extensive research on this comparison, I take my research serious like any great scholar. Hmm Dr. Aesop research beerologist, I like the sound of that.

A notable aspect of these beers is the gold foil wrapping on the bottle neck which if not cleared off completely will end up mixed in your drink. This reminded me of a favorite Brazilian beer of mine, Itaipava, which always had a loose fitted foil wrap over the mouth of the can but those came off easily while the Modelo foil was stuck on there good.

What is your take on these two beers, did I insult your Cinco de Mayo favorite or did both of these beers leave the same dare to be average taste that I experienced. Leave a comment and let me know.

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New Brew Tuesday: The Battle of the Modelos is a post from: Monkey Brewster