Narita airport. NWA Lounge. Sapporo from the magic beer machine. Flight home to Atlanta in 60 minutes.

It’s all good, and only getting better.

Sayonara from Tokyo!

Back to visit an old friend in Tokyo — Sumidagawa Brewing Company. But, there have been a few changes since last year, namely the debranding of the space as a microbrewery. While it still exists as “Bar 23″ in the same space in the Asahi Annex, the proud signage and other decorations have given way to a somewhat ordinary bar (with an admittedly groovy soundtrack).

The beers? Still tasty. I had the Alt –crisp, a bit dry and pleasantly fruity. A welcome tasty ale in a town dominated by big brewery lagers. Darcy had the weiss, and loved it. It did have a nice clovy character to it, and made for a weather appropriate tipple in 79 degree Tokyo. Plan on spending ¥650 for a 400ml serving, a relative bargain.

I know what you’re thinking — we’ve got Asahi at home…why bother with a photo?

It’s more for the scenery. The sunset cast a golden light on this golden, light-tasting lager.

Enjoy!

We’ve survived our overnight flight from Bangkok (barely) and checked into our hotel (more on the swanky Conrad Hilton later!).

Since Ginza is so close, we’re scouting out some shopping options. Apple store? Of course. (In fact I’ll use their wifi connection to send this note!) Itoya store (pen heaven)? Yes. Food stalls at closest department store for a picnic in the room? Why not?

With it raining right now, we’re excited to shop, but are staying dry (at least on the outside) at Brasserie Leo at Ginza Crossing.

The small beers here (12 oz.) are ¥680 ($6.50 or so), so we’re having one and making it count. The Yebisu Black in the foreground is a black lager that could pass for a clean stout to the uninitiated. It’s clean, pretty smooth, and helping me cope with my 4 hours of sitting- up-airplane-sleep I managed last night. That’s all I can ask for right
now.

Another hotel, another lounge-based happy hour with free wifi access.

Darcy is really showing her feel mettle here: iPhone out (with a $3 silicon cover bought at MBK), Singha in progress. Snackies are optional.