Just put on tap this morning Black Isle - Porter 4.2 % , if you love porters you will really like this organic version from the team at Black Isle brewery in Scotland .

​ Here is what they have to say about it - Masses of dark roasted malt produces this dry full-bodied ruby black beer. This beer glides across the palate like a mythical monster on a frozen loch – a wonderful balance of bitterness with a light chocolate finish.

As you know Albannach stocks fantastic craft beer from Scotland , but we are not beer snobs and enjoy all kinds of craft beer and what better way to sample a wide array of craft beer than attending the annual Niigata craft beer festival !.  Now in its 6th year the festival has grown from small beginnings to a big festival showcasing Japanese craft breweries plus a few imported craft beers as well. We decided to open Albannach from 6pm so we could both attend the festival that starts at 11am and goes through to 9pm . As we live on Furumachi street it was really only a 5 min walk for us to get to the venue which was two blocks of the covered Furumachi mall.  I ended up being 1st in line to redeem my ticket, collect my 200 ml glass mug which was a lot better than joining the huge line that form behind me really quickly prior to 11am  

I tried to take photos of the different beers that I tried and the friends I met throughout the day. With 26 breweries offering anywhere between 4 - 7 different beers on tap it was a hard job deciding what to try. One of the standouts for me was the Swan lake brewery - Agano Saison which was fantastic and the only beer I tried twice.

​Another local brewery Echigo which was the very first craft brewery to open in Japan many years ago have a new IPA which was also very good. I meet up with my good friend Kazu & his wife Tomoko who both work for the brewery and enjoyed chatting about their new product.  

My wife Tamaki cooked some food , as you can take your own food to the festival plus buy what is on offer as well which is great. Niigata often has rain at this time of the year so we are lucky to have the covered mall for such events. I had hoped to see more Belgian style beers or barrel aged beers , but barrel aging is still quite new in Japan compared to other countries. I heard last night that 5000 people attended the festival on Sat and it is also being held today as well although it finishes earlier.  If we had time I would love to attend more beer festivals in Japan but with this one just around the corner from Albannach it the only one we get to every year.  I would like to say a big thanks to the organizers as it is a lot of work to put together such a large festival but great for promoting craft beer in general to the Niigata public.  Below is a slide show taken yesterday .    

​  This morning we planted some thyme that we were given and we harvested some great looking potatoes and onions . It is fantastic having seasonal fresh organic vege !. These vegetables will be used at Albannach - you can taste the difference !

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 .