Event Recap: 3rd Annual Japan Beer Fest

Photos by Hermexial Drexilus When we co-hosted our first Japan Beer Fest in 2013 with our neighbor The Trappist, we had no idea that it would become an annual event. But year after year, it has proven to be more successful and debaucherous than the last. How could that be?!?! We offered 30+ microbrews from Japan this year, from all over the country. It was rad. The event started at noon, and sure enough, at 11:45am, people were already milling around The Trappist's back patio. By 12:30pm, the patio looked like this: This year, we invited Ramen Shop to come and dish out some of their famed fried rice. The rice was Southeast Asia-inspired, with lemongrass sausage, cilantro and peanuts. The fried rice was sold out by 1:15pm. So sorry to those who came later in the afternoon! This year, we had over 30 craft beers from Japan on tap and in bottles. Here's the complete list of beers: ON TAP Shiga Kogen Africa Pale Ale Shiga Kogen Draft Pale Ale Harvest Brew Shiga Kogen Grand Rouge Shiga Kogen Harvest Saison Shiga Kogen House IPA Shiga Kogen India Black Ale Harvest Brew Shiga Kogen Indian Summer Saison Shiga Kogen IPA Harvest Brew Shiga Kogen Miyama Blonde Shiga Kogen No. 10 Shiga Kogen Pale Ale Harvest Brew Shiga Kogen Takeshi Imperial Stout Baird Angry Boy Baird Big Red Machine Fall Classic Baird Dark Sky Baird Teikoku IPA Baird Yabai Yabai Hitachino Nest Dai Dai Hitachino Nest Anbai Plum Hitachino Nest Saison du Japon Coedo Ruri Pils Coedo Kyara Coedo Black Lager Asahi Super Dry from Japan BOTTLES Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout Hitachino Nest XH Shochu Aged Yoho Tokyo Black Yoho Yona Yona Pale Ale Yoho Aooni IPA YohoWednesday Cat White beer Koshihikari Ozeno Yukidoke IPA Sansho Ale Golden Kolsch Baird Wabi Sabi Not a shabby list, we say! We were lucky to get a tap from Asahi with a Japanese style "creamer faucet" to emit extra head. A lot of it. The crowds did not die between 12-4pm. The lucky ones got there early and snagged a seat. My fam! Inside the Trappist was a zoo. But hopefully everyone took a moment to notice what a gorgeous bar they have. Back inside Umami Mart was also quite a party, especially in the Bottle System. Cabs + Sarah! Thanks so much to everyone who came out! Hope it will be bigger, badder and stronger next year. Special thanks to Ruben, Steve and Aaron of The Trappist and Ramen Shop! Kanpai!!!