Denki Bran
May 9th, 2008 by Rob GossJapan may be known for its sake and insipid beer, but in Asakusa a different drink rules the roost - the mix of brandy, gin and wine Curacao that is Denki Bran (Electric Brandy).
The drink was first concocted just a stone’s throw from Senso-ji at Kamiya Bar as a poor man’s alternative to whisky back in the Meiji-era (1868-1912). The colour, though, is about the only similarity Denki Bran and whisky share.
photo: Mark A Buckton
The drink itself starts off with a syrupy, warming taste and then soon unleashes a sticky sweetness that can leave your lips feeling like they’ve been glued together. The solution is to do as the leathery faced old men who make up the percentage of Kamiya Bar’s custom do, and wash it down with a pint of lager.
While many of the inebriated locals are old enough to remember when Denki Bran was a fiery 45% brew that at one point even gave its name to a hit single, today’s version is not quite as potent. Modern-day Denki comes in two forms, the standard 30% Denki Bran and the 40% Denki Bran Old.
Where to get it
photo: Mark A Buckton
The three-floored Kamiya Bar is right next to Exit 3 of Asakusa Station on the Ginza Line. Open Wednesday-Monday, 11.30 am-10 pm (last orders 9.30pm). Single shot 260 yen, beer to chase it down 490 yen. You can also buy Denki Bran by the bottle at many of the liquor stores in the area and at Kamiya. Expect to pay 630 yen for a hip bottle and around 1,000 yen for 750ml.
