Ahh, 24th April, rather a long gap in my beer drinking I know. All is not lost, I have been drinking more than ever!
Today's strangely titled beer is Asahi Aqua Blue, which sounds like a mineral water, but bear with me. It's claim is to be "Clear and Tasty" but it's the same colour as all the other Japanese lagers that I've encountered. It's a reduced malt beer (happoshu) which means that it's lower in carbs (and more importantly for the brewing company, lower tax too) than proper (>67% malt) beers. Taste wise it's ok, no bitter after taste, but nothing to die for either.
Since I last wrote things have been very busy. I now have lots of my own classes to worry about, things to prepare and memorize. Dealing with kids is a challenge (why can't I just feed them beer?) but they at least make me laugh. I discovered a bar where I can get 2 hours of nomihoudai (all you can drink) for 2100 yen (less than a tenner) that includes food. and I now know almost a massive 50 kanji! (only 2450 to go).
Now some pictures to grace you with, see the beauty (or not) of Nagoya in Sakura season.
One of the fancy new buildings they're putting up near the station. Looks nothing at all like that beehive thing that Red Ken built in London, oh no.
Me, slightly worse for wear after all you can drink and 2 hours of karaoke.
Gareth taking in the Sakura and being generally cultured. It's all gone now, mind.
Asahi Honnama Aqua Blue. 350ml. 5%.
I might have mentioned this before, but one of the great things about Japan is that they have beer vending machines! My 20 minute train ride on Friday was spiced up with a big (500ml) can of Asahi Honnama draft. The trains here are excellent. Unlike back in Blighty they're on time. Every time. They never get cancelled and they're clean. Britain take note.
