I’ve been running a bar in a quiet corner of Ginza for nearly half a century, but this summer feels different.
The sun is scorching, and the humidity is relentless.
I don’t recall a summer this severe. But according to some recent articles I’ve read, this extreme heat is becoming the new “normal.”
As a man of intellect, there’s nothing for me to do but accept this reality and find new ways to enjoy the season.
Of all the alcoholic beverages in the world, I’ve always felt that none are more universally loved than beer.
Its affordability and pleasant alcohol content make its appeal timeless.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that beer might just have supported human culture itself.
Here in Japan, “toriaezu biiru” (とりあえずビール), or “beer for now,” is a common phrase.
It might sound a bit rude to the brewers who pour their hearts into their craft, and there are even commercials now that caution against its use.
But to me, this phrase is proof of how deeply beer is loved in this country.
Is there any other drink that’s so consistently chosen as the first order of the night?
There’s one common misconception, however, about our summer friend: draft beer. “Draft beer” (生ビール, nama-biiru) used to refer to beer that hadn’t been heat-pasteurized.
