Yes folks its nearly time for our popular monthly Celtic session again, these regular sessions have grown from a small gathering of musicians who love Celtic music to sometimes standing room only !. Is does not matter if you are a beginner or expert musician or you just want to listen to some fantastic live Celtic music. Come along this Friday the 3rd of June anytime between 7pm - midnight and enjoy the traditional atmosphere of Niigata kens best Celtic session.    

​Just arrived Black Isle Blonde - here is what the lads at Black Isle brewery have to say about it !

A light biscuity blonde style beer loaded with New Zealand Organic Hallertau Aroma hops. Not probably, but definitely the best blonde beer in Scotland.
ABV: 4.5%

Is it a lager? Is it a pale ale? Does it even matter or does anyone care? Brewed with Hallertau hops for a grassy, Germanic aroma, this continental style beer carries a hint of honey sweetness which balances with the dry, crisp, refreshing palate and the biscuity finish. A genre defying classic.

Albannach Crafts - new item . Wet formed bag made from 2.8mm vege tan cow hide and dyed purple with brass fittings as per the customers request. This is the very first bag I have ever made and really enjoyed the process of wet forming the leather and stitching it together. For my first bag I am very happy with it and have already started making another one which will be for sale as well. It can be dyed various colors so if you like the design please get in touch with me and the next one can be yours !​

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below are a few photos from lasts nights Celtic session, Both Tamaki and I were so proud of our daughter Lisa who at 12 years old got up in front of everybody to show of her tap dancing skills , There was a good turnout of musicians and everybody had a great time. I even played the African drum must to everyone's enjoyment. It is not the best instrument to play in a kilt though, so I will stick with my jaw harp, Bodhran instead . A big thank you to everybody who came along for such a great night !

Unlike most of the festivals held in Niigata city, 5 bancho Loten festival is unique in the fact that it is  organised by the super energetic Junko the owner of Honchos craft cafe Chillin Mama. Previous festivals have been fantastic with big crowds attending and this May the 14th festival is going to be bigger again with over 50 shops . The main feature of this festival is bread, Niigata has a vast range of bakeries and some very good ones that have even won awards overseas for their products . Albannach will be there serving up Black Isle organic craft beer , our famous pies and for the first time at a local festival will will be cooking traditional fish and chips . One of my friends Markus and his wife who own the famous Sado Island bakery called T & M delivery will be attending as well. Be warned if you want any of their products get to the festival before 10am and stand in line as their fantastic bread sells out really fast !

Just a reminder to all you Celtic music fans this Friday , May 6th is our monthly Celtic session, which starts from around 7pm and finishes up about midnight. If you are looking for a great night out come along to Albannach and enjoy the best live Celtic music in Niigata ken. If you are a musician and would like to learn more about traditional Celtic music come along and join in the fun.   Below is a video clip taken at a previous Celtic session .

Early yesterday morning we drove 1.5 hours out to the town of Mitsuke where our friends own a craft beer bar called cafe Hocca , they have 4 taps of craft beer from all over Japan and a fantastic range of single malt. But as I was driving home I could not indulge . We took a big selection of pies and some leather craft and along with a few other locals selling hand made items we all had a fantastic day . I also gave a jaw harp show for the lunchtime customers which everybody enjoyed. Posted below are a few photos from yesterday !