Pleasing the Brit Abroad at Kobe's Hobgoblin

By Japanzine Staff

Regardless of how often they refute this, the Brit abroad never likes to be too far from a traditional pub. The after-work pint is almost a physical requirement, emblazoned on the DNA shortly after inception. Denial of this basic life principle can result in social leprosy and, in extreme cases, pandemics. There are those that believe the Black Plague of 1579 was started by a gang of T-totallers, peddling their anti-pub tenets in the pocked and rancid streets of Ye Olde Norwich. We found that information on Wikipedia, so it must be true.

With all that in mind, taking employment in Japan can be a tough decision to make for your average Brit. Sure, the Japanese have their izakayas, but how can they ever hope to match that pub camaraderie, exemplified so effortlessly by the likes of Lineker and Hansen and their hearty MOTD chums? If only pub culture could be bottled, like a fine ale, and brought along for the ride, so the Brit abroad need never be without. Wouldn't that be something!

Of course, British-style pubs are not uncommon in Japan. Every city has its own version, replete with upturned barrels for tables, and other "authenticities" that mark them out as being genuinely fake. Few ever got it right, and Brits abroad often found these places adding to their hankering for home. All that changed in November 2000, when the Hobgoblin, Akasaka (Tokyo), threw open its doors and welcomed the stragglers in from the cold with promise of fish'n'chips and real ale.

Not that fish'n'chips is traditional pub fare, of course, but which of you will stand and argue the toss while there's bangers'n'mash, shepherd's pie and - stand back, now - a full English breakfast on the menu? The Brit abroad knows well how it feels to have his national cuisine jeered, but the jeerers will be laughing down the other end of the stick (?) once they've got their jowls 'round some of these comestibles. Homemade pies with alternative fillings daily? Can't say fairer than that, now can you guvnor.

And what's that you say? Real ale? Are you sure it's not just flat  happoshu with chocolate coloring? No sir! Not only does the Hobgoblin serve a selection of the finest ales known to man, the original establishment was set up in conjunction with the Wychwood Brewery, a highly respected outfit that recently took on the legendary Brakspear Brewery, incorporating secrets and systems that date back to the 1770s.  Anything the Hobgoblin doesn't know about ale simply isn't worth splitting your pump over.

Hobgoblin now have 4 pubs in their Japanese chain, with a brand new establishment recently opened in Kobe (the other 3 are in Akasaka, Roppongi and Shibuya - as if you didn't know already). To keep those Brits abroad happy, all four are furnished with fixtures and fittings imported from the UK. Hand-pumped guest ales are a regular attraction, and you won't see a happier Brit abroad than this one, as I settle down to my traditional Sunday lunch and the Sunday papers.

Welcome to Kobe Hobgoblin. This round's on me.

The Hobgoblin, Kobe, can be found opposite Hankyu Sannomiya Station in the same building as McDonalds, on the 7th floor. Further details can be found online at www.hobgoblin.jp, tel: 078-325-0830.

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