Episode 14 of the podcast takes us once again to Nagano Prefecture and Son of the Smith Hard Cider brewery. Opened in 2020, Son of the Smith Hard Cider are in many ways forging a new era for cider in Japan – a country that doesn’t have a strong cider tradition. In this episode, I speak with head brewer Ikeuchi Takuro about the brewery’s founding vision and the cider they are now producing – work that is redefining what is possible when it comes to cider. As Ikeuchi-san explains, his background in organic chemistry underpins brewing techniques that respond to the variation in apples from season-to-season. Such methods allow Son of the Smith to utilise apple varieties typically considered unsuitable for good cider while also adapting methods used in the United Kingdom, United States – including production of hop cider - and Europe to pioneer a new Japanese tradition. Make sure to check out the episode page on the Snow Country Stories Japan website for further information, relevant links and a map showing where the brewery is located. Given the size of Japan’s snow country and often unfamiliar place names, understanding where each episode is talking about can be confusing. For that reason, each episode has a page on website including links and maps to help you get your bearings and learn more about the people and places discussed. You can also follow Son of the Smith on Instagram. For more information about the podcast and your host, visit our website: www.snowcountrystories.com. Make sure to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  00:00   Episode Introduction 04:31   The Beginnings of Son of the Smith 08:13   How Ikeuchi-san Became a Cider Brewer 10:57   What is Hard Cider? 12:59   Son of the Smith's Brewing Techniques 18:29   We Eat an Apple 21:56   The Importance of Yeast 25:43   Son of the Smith's Design Influences 28:49   Where You Can Get It 30:30   Episode Close 30:47   A Final Word from Ikeuchi-san Snow Country Stories Japan is a bi-weekly podcast about life and travel in Japan's legendary 'yukiguni'. For more information about the show and your host, visit our website: www.snowcountrystories.com - and make sure to subscribe, rate and review the podcast and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.