A Proud Brewer
今日は山の内町の渋・湯田中温泉に呼ばれまして、アポの前に湯田中美湯ホテルのＳｈａｗさんにツアーして頂きました。地獄谷野猿公苑へのトレールを見せて頂いて（今はスタートが階段作りの工事中の為に臨時的に少し離れた所に移られている）、そして渋湯田中のＳｈａｗさん曰くのスピリチュアルの道を通りました。スピリチュアルと言うのは、作り酒屋があるからだそうです。実は、その酒屋、玉村さんは地ビールも作っています。亀清旅館でも扱っている志賀高原ビールです。今日は社長に会えて、嬉しかったです。あっ、この方がその美味しいビールを作ってくれているのだと。本に会えて、良かった！社長も元気で、明日からまた作るということで、工場を案内してくれました。今度はベルギー風のビールも作るらしいです。楽しみにしていま～す！
One of my fellow innkeepers requested I come to his inn in Shibu-Yudanaka Onsen to instruct his staff on dealing with foreigners. Hmm. I had thought I was finished with teaching English. But this particular innkeeper is the highest on the Nagano ryokan totem pole, so I couldn't say no.
Anyways, I arrived a bit early, and my buddy Craig from Yudanaka Biyu Hotel gave me a quick tour. We checked out the construction on the Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park trailhead at Kambayashi. A nifty stairway is being built there which will be a huge improvement on the previous slippery approach. Then Craig drove me down what he calls the "spiritual" street, so named because of the sake brewery there. Ahh yes, those spirits! We stopped in at the Tamamura Brewery where they also make Shiga Kogen Beer, the microbrews that we offer our guests here at Kamesei Ryokan. I got to meet the owner, the man behind these delectable beverages. He was happy to meet one of his supporters, and took us over to see the brewing equipment. He wanted me to come back tomorrow to see the next batch get made -- apparently he's going to attempt a Belgian style beer this time. I can't wait to taste the results!
玉村本店のＨＰはこちらClick here for the website of Shiga Kogen Beer.
湯田中美湯ホテル（Ｓｈａｗさんの所）のＨＰはこちらClick here for the website of Yudanaka Biyu Hotel (Craig's place)
