Japas Cervejaria debuts its Japanese-Brazilian beer in Colorado

Imagine blending cultures into a beverage like beer to get a taste of a dynamic infusion from Japan and Brazil.

A group of Japanese women in Brazil have created a blend of flavors from Japan into their brews. Available now in Colorado, brew lovers can pick up their beers at participating liquor stores such as Mondo Vino, Molly’s Spirits, Mr. B’s Wine & Spirits, and Champa Liquors. Local restaurants, such as Jake’s Brew Bar and Wolf’s Tailor list the beers on their drink menu, and even H Mart in Westminster have them stocked on their shelves.

“Japas make a variety of beer styles, but we add our own twist, such as using ingredients like dekopon (a variety of Satsuma orange), kumquat, matcha, and even wasabi,” said Japas co-founder Fernanda Ueno, who also serves as a brewer. “We add in just enough of these ingredients to provide a balance and harmony among the flavors.”

Japanese in Brazil

Brazil is home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan. According to government statistics, there are 2.3 million who claim Japanese ancestry living in Brazil.

The Japanese government encouraged farmers and laborers to seek employment opportunities in other countries. When restrictions to the US and Canada slowed down immigration, Japanese people headed for new destinations such as Brazil. Japanese settlers from Okinawa entered Brazil on June 18, 1908, when the ship, Kasato-Maru arrived in the port of Santos, just south of Sao Paolo. The day is celebrated annually as the National Japanese Immigration Day.

The word Japas is slang for those of Japanese descent. While the term is permissible to some, Japas’ co-founders are clear that the term should only be used when given permission or in reference to the brewery. In harnessing the word and bringing it into the brand, the women of Japas are re-signifying and reappropriating “Japas” to showcase their pride in their origins and mixed cultures and translating that directly into their beer.

History of the Brewery

Back in 2009, Ueno started home-brew- ing for fun, while interning in craft brewing production, studying food engineering, and working in a brewery.

Then, in 2012, she entered beer festivals and received invitations to work in a brewpub setting. Her brews sold out in three days.

In 2014, Ueno met two other women, all residents of Brazil – Yumi Shimada and Maíra Kimura, who shared her interest in home-brewing and mixing ingredients.

“We were one of the few women of Japanese descent, so it was natural for us to come together,” said Kimura, co-founder, master brewer and business strategist for Japas.

Already, the Japanese Brazilian brewery has entered the market in nine states—Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, New York, Oregon, California, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

The team is watching current brewery trends and are open to collaborations. “It’s the perfect time and space to work together,” said Tania Matsuoka, the newest member of the team.

Production is overseen by New Yorkbased Beerternational, a woman-owned

Follow on Instagram @japascervejaria

company that enables the brewery to brew and sell their beer in the U.S.

Branding the Beer

As a deep dive into Japanese culture, stories and folktales are woven into each beer. One beer is named after one of Japan’s most iconic images, the maneki neko, or “lucky cat.” Think of the lucky cat giving you good fortune as you consumes the brew. Another beer is called Okame, representing the goddess of joy in Japanese folklore.

Yumi Shimada, who serves as art director and co-founder, designs the beer labels to represent all people, all culture, all one.

“When we create something, we discuss the concept because of the importance to differentiate our best assets,” said Shimada, during an interview with the four Japas Cervejaria owners Brazil and Asian Avenue Magazine.

The names of each beer references Japanese culture. Oishii, one of the brewery’s core beers, translates to “yummy.” The persimmon fruit, or kaki, is known to bring luck and longevity in some Asian traditions, while the word “Kimokawaii” means a mixture of the cute and bizarre.

Sharing the pop culture of Japan allows the brewery’s exploration of its ancestry while educating others and honoring their cultural past.

For instance, one of the beer labels is of Kasato-Maru, “which was named to honor the first ship that brought Japanese immigrants to Brazil,” Shimada said.

“The label was made with a manual collage, and the composition has dekopon fruit, an ‘immigrant’ fruit in Brazil, and the ship together on top of the sea. An interesting curiosity is that I tore the blue paper to create the impression of the foam that the waves create when they break in the sea.”

Ingredients

Each brew is created with four ingredients. The team favors wasabi, and it is part of its beer portfolio. The brewery includes IPAs, Lagers, and sour beers.

The main beer products include:

• Matsurika: the brewery’s best-selling beer, named after the Japanese Jasmine petals. It is a pilsner with soft and delicate flavors.

• Oishii: created with ginger and a touch of orange peel, it is a balanced witbier.

• Neko IPA: an American IPA, the flavors include a blend of citrus flavors.

• Nama Biiru: a super dry rice lager with a blend of Sorachi Ace and Lemondrop hops.

Already, the brewery has created a series called The Mask that sold in four packs that includes:

• Okame: a wheat wine ale with notes of bread, honey, and caramel.

• Hyottoko: created as a New England IPA, it showcases Citra, Motueka, and El Dorado hops.

• Hannya: the Imperial Stout contains velvety flavors of coffee and dark chocolate.

• Kitsune: with spicy notes of coriander and citrus, the Belgian Tripel Ale contain flavors of raisin and banana.

Seasonal beers include Black Daruma an imperial stout with flavors of dark chocolate and persimmon and Kimo Kawaii, another imperial stout, with an infusion of blackberry, dragon fruit, and hibiscus.

Colorado Market

“Colorado is one of the states with the highest number of breweries per capita,” said Kimura. “The craft culture is widespread with Coloradans drinking craft beer in their daily lives. We think that Japas will appeal to beer drinkers and even those simply interested in Japanese and Brazilian culture.”

Colorado-based Culture Beverage will operate as Japas’ distributor into the mountain state.

“We pride ourselves in partnering up with the best craft brewers from across the world, so we were extra excited when we began talking with the team at Japas,” said Xandy Bustamante, co-owner of Culture Beverage. “Their authentic approach to making Japanese and Brazilian inspired beers is something that no other producer is doing.”

Japas is delighted at the company’s growth, and proud of what they are building in Brazil. “It’s insane how the products of Japas is bringing our communities together,” said Ueno.

Learn more about the JapaneseBrazilian beer company Japas Cervejaria at en.japascervejaria.com.

Kyu Ramen is set to reopen this March at their new Denver address, 2205 E. Colfax Avenue, shifting their doors a few blocks east on Colfax. Near the corner of York Street and across from East High School, the new location will entice younger diners for their lunch specials and appetizing ramen bowls.

Kyu, pronounced like the letter “Q” means the number nine in Japanese.

For years, bar crawlers and concert goers would head over to Kyu Ramen after a night out. It was one of the only Asian restaurants in the area opened until 3 a.m.

“After 11 p.m., there would be a line out the door,” said owner Saki Melius, adding the late night hours began last October.

MENU | Kyu Ramen’s menu includes appetizer bites of gyoza dumplings, eggroll, wontons, takoyaki, and lotus buns. Their specialties include the ramen bowls, curry bowls and udon noodles.

Melius intends to maintain the affordable price points, even offering popular lunch specials of $12.95, that includes a ramen bowl and drink. Fried Rice Fridays are a weekly special with a choice of protein: chashu, spicy chicken, chicken, fried shrimp, steamed shrimp, bulgogi beef, or fried tofu.

While Melius grew up in Japan, she admits that some ingredients such as spin- ach or corn bits would not typically be found in a traditional Japanese ramen bowl. However, Kyu Ramen fans love the colorful pop of greens and yellows.

Ginger strips are also not part of the American palate, so Melius will keep them off, unless requested by diners in their ‘Do-It-Yourself’ (DIY) noodle bowls.

“In the US, it’s difficult to find good ramen broth,” shared Melius. At Kyu Ramen, they focus on delivering tasty broths with unique flavors: Tonkotsu (creamy pork), spicy miso (pork), udon (soy fish) or yasai (seaweed/vegetarian).

Melius also created a chicken bowl with fried chicken that is marinated, instead of steamed. In Japan, fried chicken bowls is also not commonplace.

For the DIY bowls, diners can select from four different noodle styles: ramen (egg noodle), udon (thick, wheat noodle), rice noodle (gluten free), and kale noodle (vegetarian), followed by choosing a protein and additional toppings.

TIME FOR CHANGE | Melius began looking for a new location at the beginning of this year after notice that the area would be turned into medical offices. Her ownership began in 2019, while transitioning the restaurant from a former Menya Ramen and revamping its menu.

At the start of the pandemic, Melius offered curbside delivery as the solo chef, restauranteur, and operator. She described the surreal scene of no vehicles on Colfax Avenue and witnessing a “zombie-like” landscape, where only unhoused people were walking on the streets.

Leaving these memories behind, she was relieved to find a nearby spot for the restaurant to relocate so that customers would not have to go far. She was also concerned about being able to support her staff and wanted to ensure the move would be seamless for them. Treating her employees as family members, she exudes an inviting personality and looks forward to becoming a delicious favorite in their new neighborhood.

OWNER SAKI MELIUS | Melius left Japan in her early 20s to work in the US as an au pair for a military family in Colorado Springs. There, she met her husband and completed a degree in education. She resided in Colorado Springs for 10 years, then settled in Aurora in 2013,

While she holds a teaching certificate, her path led her into 20 years of working in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

“I hope this restaurant makes everyone feel at home,” Melius said. “Please come visit us at our new location!”

Get updates from Kyu Ramen on their Instagram @kyu_ramen_denver.

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Shin Myung Gwan Korean BBQ goes on 20+ years of serving authentic Korean dishes in Aurora

With an army of nine women sous chefs and chefs, Shin Myung Gwan Korean BBQ creates food from South Korea with authenticity and a flair for family-style dishes.

Tucked in a corner of a strip mall On Havana Street and Yale Avenue in Aurora, the unassuming, modest restaurant offers plenty of parking, huge tables for large gatherings, and generous portions for their entrees.

Owner and restauranteur Hannah Cho enjoys sharing her love for Korean food to Aurora because “it’s such an amazing, diverse city.”

HISTORY | Since 1998, Shin Myung Gwan has served Korean cuisine. Cho purchased the restaurant six years ago and continued the operations.

“We proudly serve authentic Korean

2680 S Havana St, Aurora, CO 80014

Tel: 303.751.7787

Instagram: @shinmyunggwan foods,” said Cho, who left South Korea to attend college in Colorado.

WHAT TO EXPECT | This hidden jewel is not open during lunch hours. With an attentive wait staff, the restaurant opens at 4 p.m. and stays open until midnight. The busy season for the restaurant is spring and summer, especially during the weekends.

Some of the tables show a grill sitting in the middle of the tables. Large tables without grills accommodate huge parties of six and more. The restaurant offers a button at each table, so diners can push it when service is needed to call wait staff. For those who prefer take-out, curbside pickup is also available.

Korean music plays in the background, while the TV at the back of the restaurant shows Korean dramas or music videos.

In 2018, Denver Westword recognized Shin Myung Gwan as a top Korean restaurant in the Denver metro area.

PRICE POINT | Menu items range from $9 to $12 from the appetizer selection. House specials can start from as low as $16.99 to $34.99, while combos range from $110 to $195. The BBQ combo set includes a selection of stew and a bottle of soju or soft drink. Korean side dishes are a feast in itself with varieties of fermented veggies and rice cakes.

“We do our best to get high-quality seasoning and ingredients,” said Cho. “It is very challenging due to inflation, but I do believe that top-quality seasoning and ingredients make a huge difference.”

Follow Shin Myung Gwan on Instagram @shinmyunggwan. To order online, go to ordershinmyungbbq.com.