Tazawako Beer Awarded as World's Best Pale Ale at WBA

Tazawako Beer has won another honorable prize – now selected as the World’s Best Altbier Pale Ale by The World Beer Award!

The World Beer Award has been given annually to recognize best quality beers from around the globe. They are first selected regionally and compete against one another globally in individual categories of Ale, Lager, Stout, Porter, and Wheat Beer.

In this contest held in the Britain, Tazawako Beer’s Alt has been selected as the World’s Best Altbier Pale Ale in the category of World’s Best Pale Ales, it has been officially announced on October 27th.

The judging procedure is done blind for the fairness, which makes this competition the most credible international beer contest. First Tazawako Beer’s Alt was chosen to represent as the number 1 from Asia, then it proceeded to the final selection. The judges have reasoned that it has “sweet, toasted wood aroma. Rich mouth-feel with strong Alt characters, syrupy palate. Nice berry fruit character behind a good balance of malt and hops. Slightly sweet but fitting of the style, clean finish. Delicious!”

Tazawako Beer is brewed by the Warabi-za theatre company in Semboku City, which is the first beer brewery of Akita Prefecture. Tazawako Beer has competed and been awarded at several international competitions held in Japan before, but the World Beer Award was their first time to win overseas.

For its abrupt achievement, Mr.Taguchi, the manager of Tazawako Beer, has commented, “We have been crafting our product with some confidence, but this recognition has made it even more positive. We would like to continue brewing our beer and hope to please people in Akita.”

For more information, please contact Tazawako Beer (田沢湖ビール; Tel. 0187-44-3988).

(Source/ Yomiuri On-Line)

Tazawako Beer Won International Competition Again!

Tazawako Beer  （田沢湖ビール）has won another international award at Japan Asia Beer Cup 2011 by Japan Craft Beer Association (JCBA). Weizen of Tazawako Beer managed by Warabi-za in Semboku City has won the gold prize in the category of Weisbier.

(Source/ Sakigake On the Web)

Weizen features a tart and fruity flavor like banana and has been the original bottle since the company’s establishment in 1997. The company have just released 3,000 bottles in April but soon adding another 6,000 bottles in July to commemorate the winning of the gold prize, which is the second time to receive such award following their Altbier in 2006.

This year the awarding ceremony was held in Ebisu, Tokyo. 54 Craft beer breweries around Japan have submitted 144 brands in 24 categories. Tazawako Beer was awarded a silver prize on another bottle called Oraho made from smoked malt.

A 330ml bottle of Weizen is available for 498 Yen and Oraho is for 795 Yen. Inquire Tazawako Beer.

Another National Award Goes to "Hot & Cool," Beer Enjoyed Even Served "Hot"!

Toast Ltd., of Restaurant Orae and a craft beer brewery at Lake Tazawa, has received another national award! Kohan-no-mori Beer Hot & Cool （湖畔の杜ビール　Ｈｏｔ＆Ｃｏｏｌ）is the name of new bottle, which has just been awarded the Special Excellency Award at the National Alcohol Competition Spring 2011 for the unique feature to be enjoyed “Hot and Cold”.

Kohan-no-Mori Beer Hot & Cool

The award is recognized as one given to a product that is even more highly-rated than any other first-place winners in all the categories. The Board of Committee has commented, “Being able to be enjoyed hot is a unique idea. The quality is second to none as well.”

Hot & Cool is designed to be sold only in winter. When it is warmed up, carbononation is weakened and sweetness is highlighted. Back in 2009, at the same competition, the company has won the Reviewer’s Special Award. Ms. Kumiko Sekiguchi, the managing director of Toast Ltd., commented that “it is such an honor to be awarded again. We would like to continue developing such craft beers that no other major companies couldn’t make.”　

A Box of Tazawako Beer Arrived!

Yay! We have received a box of beers from Tazawako Beer Brewery Pub!

Alt, Pilsner, Megumi, Dark Lager, and Kolsch. (L-R)

All these have  been awareded internationally.

Megumi is #1 reviewed and made of all-Akita ingredients.

Says the content of dietary fiber in a bottle of their beer is about the same as a bunch of spinach!

Also, they are 100% natural and additive-free!

 Tazawako Beer is the very first original beer brand from Akita Prefecture. The brewers are committed to the quality of ingredients, using the spring water from Waka forests, where grows the largest beech tree of Japan.

Every year they announce seasonal specials on the limited quantity. This year, the special beer features labels designed by Kazuo Oga, art director and background artist for Studio Ghibli Anime works.

The brewery has a beautiful restaurant with a variety of cuisines, ranging from Japanese to Italian and French. The space is available for large parties and weddings. For a group of more than 5 people, reservation is recommended and course meals could be served upon request. Shuttle bus is available from JR Kakunodate Station.

Beer, Jazz, and ORAE

A Jazz concert over a dinner of Japanese-Western Fusion plate. Plus a glass of delicious beer!
Does that sound good to you??  Try  ORAE !

(A view of ORAE from the beach on the lake Tazawa)

Their restaurant name, Orae (pronounced ''oh-rah-ay") means ''our house'' in Akita dialect. It is a Brewery/restaurant on lakeshore Tazawako which has been a very popular restaurant for both tourists and locals, where you can enjoy fresh and seasonal harvests from the surrounding area. Just take a look at their list of unique plates!

(An example of ORAE's seasonal menu: Auntumn 2009 Version)

~~ Let me give you a translation of some of our favorites here: 

•      "A Pizza in a Rich Flavourful Symphony by the Noble Family of Mushrooms" (6 different kinds of mushrooms such as Shimeji, Maitake, Shitake, White Mushrooms, etc)
•      "The Favorite Apple Salad of Little Red Riding Hood" (Salad topped with Japanese sweet and sour apple and seasoned with yogurt-based dressing)
•      ORAE's Original "Croquettes of Sato'imo (Japanese Taro) and Chestnut"          
•     "Tender Pork Cassarole in Honey and Soy Sauce" Combination (Chosee from Jap/Western)
•     "Hachimantai Pork Cutlet and Curry Over White Rice"    
•     "Autumn Specialty: Pasta with San'ma (Japanese Pacific Saury)"
•     "Honey Rusk" (Crispy slices of baguette roasted and drizzeled with rich honey"
•     "Honey Icecream" (No-sugar added)

Something I can't fail to mention here is  BEER! Kohan-no-mori Beer is ORAE's original brand, which has won numerous national awards. It has been created to suit the taste of Japanese people but attracting not only the nationals but also beer-thirsty travelers from all around the world!

ORAE is available also as a venue for a musical concerts and parties. On this night of late September, there was a Jazz event organized by our local Jazz club, Tazawako Jazz Club . The ticket was 3,500yen including a drink. You can choose one from a list of beers or other non-alcoholic drinks.

(The performing band of the night: Oishi Manabu Piano Trio)

(I had Komachi Lagar, made of Akita Komachi. Yes, it's made of rice!)

...So I ordered ORAE's #1 plate--- Spaghetti with Gyoja-niniku Sausage!

Gyoja -ninniku is a garlic, according to their website,  said to have been eaten by Gyoja, Buddhist monks, who were under their strict vegetarian diet to get nourished and revitalized to bear with the training. To uncover and share the secret(?) of monks, ORAE has come up with this sausage to especially accompany with their specialty beer.

Ah~ so perfect! Events like this is a great occasion in which you can try their food and great music all together! So.. here is the annoucement:

Next Jazz Event at ORAE

When: Friday, November 27th.

Who: Yoshio Suzuki(B), Tsuyoshi Yamamoto(P)

Price: 3,000yen (in advance); 3,500yen (on the day)

For more information call:

 ORAE  0187-58-0608

 Folake (Tazawako Tourist Information Center) 0187-43-2111