Brewer's Note - Surf on Jinja-saka

Surf on Jinya-saka is a mead from Enoshima.
It is a light creation made in gratitude for the bright red blueberries delivered by Buscape, a wonderful shop in Fujisawa.

For me, living in Hachioji, Enoshima is a place I have always aspired to. It feels like a place filled with people who live refreshing lives in harmony with nature. Keeping that in mind, I wanted it to be as peaceful and light as possible, while still letting the blueberry flavor shine through.

It is a mead with a core, striking the right balance where it counts.
It's great served well-chilled, but in cold weather, you could also warm it up, float a cinnamon stick in it, or even melt some chocolate in with a splash of rum.

〈Fujisawa→Factory〉

Two days after returning from the US, still battling a bit of jet lag, I carefully checked my train route to avoid missing my transfer and stepped off at Kugenuma-kaigan station.

Seeing many surfers walking about, I wondered if there might be beach houses lined up, but what I found before me was a warm, old-fashioned shopping street. Nestled within it stands Buscape, a shop with glass walls. Bathed in warm-white lighting, the interior has a slightly nostalgic atmosphere. Added to the relaxed, welcoming vibe cultivated by the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Watanuki, I felt so at home that I could hardly believe it was my first time there.

Customers were coming and going constantly, and it warmed my heart to see how much everyone clearly loves this space.

Upon entering the shop, I saw a mountain of blueberries in a display case.

Come to think of it, I hadn't eaten blueberries on their own very often, and I had the image of them being either slightly sour or intensely sweet. But Buscape's blueberries are different.
They are perfectly balanced, not tiring to eat, and you just can't stop reaching for more. The four-year-old child of a friend I shared them with also happily ate them up. It’s a flavor that reminds you what it means to be delicious.

〈Tasting Note〉

While it may look complex at first glance, it feels light and grounded. The astringency of the blueberry is softened, giving it a structure similar to non-alcoholic wine. The ABV is just under 4%, with gentle carbonation. It is peaceful and gentle; pair it with mild cheeses or deeply savory meats.

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Style: Melomel

ABV: 4%

Carbonation: Lightly sparkling

Volume: 500ml

Ingredients: Honey, blueberries

Sweetness (10-point scale): 7 (Sweet)

Serving Temperature: Chilled (4-8°C)

〈Mead making〉

I considered attempting natural fermentation, but since I wanted to create a low-alcohol drink that could be enjoyed casually, I avoided any high-risk brewing methods.

Thanks to slow fermentation at low temperatures, it has a gentle mouthfeel and acidity. It’s a soft, delicate creation where the flavor lines are barely perceptible.