Thanks to you, DD4D BREWING will celebrate its 4th anniversary on May 30, 2023. Therefore, we have released a special page "DD4D Everyone's Challenge" with the theme of our vision "Creating a world where everyone can pursue their own path" !
We hope that through craft beer, we can create an opportunity for as many people as possible to take the first step by letting them know about the challenges and off-duty moments of the DD4D members.
MIKE
"Dad of 3 and DD4D brewmaster"
How did you get into DD4D?
After living in France for five years, my family decided to move to Japan. At the time, I was running a brewery in Paris, so I wanted to make beer even in Japan, so I was looking for a place to move to. Matsuyama was selected as a candidate because my parents-in-law started living in Matsuyama. I decided to move because I thought it would be nice for grandparents to live closer to their grandchildren. My wife's older brother also lived in Matsuyama. That coincided with the opening of DD4D in Senbunecho, and the pre-opening was about the day after we arrived in Matsuyama. I met Mr. Yamanouchi for the first time before that at a beer equipment exhibition in Tokyo. At that time, we exchanged business cards, but when I moved to Matsuyama, I remembered it again and sent an email.
I had lived in Sapporo before, but I never imagined that I would live in Matsuyama, and I hadn't done any homework. On the contrary, it may have been better. The people are kind, and the sea and mountains are close. Everyone was nice in Sapporo, but Matsuyama has a different atmosphere. And I was surprised that oranges are so delicious. I was born in America and grew up thinking that oranges are just oranges, so I was impressed by the variety of oranges, each with a different scent.
Tell us your challenge!
I guess it's a matter of balancing... Do you know "Apéro time"? Apéro means aperitif in French, but in the local area, the aperitif can be quite long for "before a meal". After work, I go to my favorite bar or pub to drink with my family and friends, and then go to a restaurant to eat delicious food and sleep. Isn't that great! It's similar to a casual drinking party in Japan, but it's a little different in Japan because it starts late. In France, I started drinking around 16:00, forgetting about work and family, and drinking wine at the pub and lazing around was a daily occurrence. I was running a small company over there, so I was so busy that I didn't have much time for the apéro. I don't have much time now, but I think it's good to be conscious of "balance" anyway. Ideas come to me when I'm in the shower, or when I'm drinking alone at a bar. Between work and spending time with my family, it would be nice to have some time to distract myself, study, or take care of myself.
What is the secret of easy-to-drink craft beer?
Sometimes I see word of mouth that the alcohol content is high, but the one I'm brewing now (as of March 2023) isn't that high, so in about a month more easy-to-drink beers will come out. that's what I think. When I was running a jointly managed brewery in France, I didn't make many high-concentration beers, so now I'm happy to be able to make a variety of beers. Among the basic ingredients used in beer, malt, water, hops, and yeast, malt determines the level of alcohol content. When I was younger, I thought it would be nice to have a low-concentration beer that I could drink from morning to night, but now I'm starting to enjoy making high-alcohol beer. For example, if you try to drink vodka or something with a high degree by itself, it will be difficult to pass through your throat. That's why high alcohol beer adjusts the balance of taste and makes it easier to drink. A double IPA with a strong taste has a high degree, but it also has a satisfying feeling. Rather than coming up with recipe inspiration, Mr. Yamanouchi connects various people and ingredients with his wide range of connections, and the ideas spread from there. I also use Instagram to see what kind of beer other breweries are making. I make an image of the finished work in advance, but I often decide the title after making it. But lately, I like titles that are more expressive. Oh yeah, Stone Hammer or Breaking the Ice. I'm not in charge of naming (laughs), but I make expression my theme.
When you're not at DD4D, what do you do when you're off?
I am spending time with my family. On weekends, I take my two older daughters with me, and during that time, my wife takes care of my youngest child and spends a little time for herself. Take him to a nearby park, play until the last minute, and then go home. It's not that great (laughs). I like going out to eat with my wife, but it's hard to take three small children with me, and it seems that restaurants in Japan aren't as used to accepting children as they are in America. Also, even when I'm on vacation, I come to Senbune to check the quality of the beer on tap. When we carry empty barrels back and forth between the Mitsu factory and Senbunecho, we take the children with us. I'll buy you sweets, I'll go to the park, I'm inviting you with various complaints. (smile)
Message to our customers!
I think that if the joy of the maker is conveyed, the customers will enjoy drinking it as well. We make our favorite beer here, so I'd be most happy if our customers enjoyed it too!
Originally from Philadelphia, USA. He met his wife 20 years ago when he was an English teacher in Sapporo, got married in America, and moved to France. After co-managing a brewery company in Paris, he moved to Matsuyama with his family. Currently, I am mainly in charge of manufacturing at the Mitsu factory as a head brewer of DD4D. Sometimes he drinks beer in Chifune-cho after work, but the father of three children dashes out to pick up the drinks from the nursery school. Rare if you see it.