There are now so many Craft Beer Markets around that I’m running out of ways to start these blog posts referring to how they are pretty much all the same. Check these posts if you would like to see how repetitive I have been so far. I will also refer you to the same posts for the details but they will also be written below. Kanda is a pretty busy area for bars, and if you spread the net a bit further you could probably say that this is a pretty busy area for Craft Beer Markets. Aside from Kichijoji, Koenji and Sendai, they have kept things fairly close together with a lot of branches in the vicinity. I guess they know their customers! I think I said this before, and perhaps it’s because we are all getting a bit more savvy about Japanese craft beer, but it does seem that the selection in the various branches has got a bit less exciting recently. This was probably my feeling when I visited Kanda. But all the same, they do always have at least a few taps of stuff that is good, if not particularly exciting. Anyway, a long intro to me basically cutting and pasting the listing from my last CBM post. Here we go…
– Has the usual 30 taps of cheap beer in the usual sizes at the usual prices. Most beers are served in two sizes 250ml (¥480) and 473ml (¥780). Barley Wines and stronger beers come in smaller serving sizes at the lower of the two prices. There is a ¥300 cover charge but this is easily covered if you have a few drinks as the prices are pretty cheap. Taplists for all the branches are updated daily on the CBM website.
– The usual CBM decor, lots of wood and stone. Counter for 14, tables for 24 and there also seemed to be a standing area at the front. No smoking which is good by me! And wifi!
– Cover charge of ¥300, which, unlike at some of the other branches, is charged during the day (at least during the ‘cafe time’ on Saturday when I was there. I suspect probably not at lunchtime though as at that time these places are much more about serving set menu lunches, rather than beers).
– And finally, the things that make this place different from the others… The food speciality this time is Lamb. And the weekend opening makes a nice change as many of the other branches in this area are closed at weekends. That’s about it.
So, exactly what you probably expected. Recently I only seem to go to these places when a new one opens, but they definitely serve a purpose and always seem to be fun. Although, as I said above, perhaps the selection is not as exciting as it used to be. I imagine the empire will be growing again soon. At least that’s what their website seems to suggest. It’s kind of a shame that they don’t push the boat out a bit and change things up a bit in some of their branches. But I guess, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And they still seem to be getting plenty of custom, so who am I to give them advice?
Japanese breweries recently seen on tap:
Ushitora
Inawashiro
Gotemba Kogen
Outsider
Blue Magic
Shiga Kogen
Sankt Gallen
Coedo
Oni Densetsu
Preston
Yo-Ho
Johana
Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday, 11:30-14:00, 17:00-23:30
Saturday, Sunday & holidays, 11:30-23:30
Location/map:
鍛冶町1-7-5, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Telephone:
03-6260-9477
Hello! We are travelling to Japan and I must say your blog is so cool! Do you have a list of your favorite bars?
Also, I'm interested in Craft Beer Market and somebody told me there is an all-you-can-drink option, do you know how it works?
Hope you can help a stranger!!
Thanks!
Hello, and thanks for the comment. I think the best way to find out my favourites is by clicking the favourite tag at the side. Also I've marked these places with a star on the map. Hope this helps.
As for the CBM all-you-can-drink, I think it changes a bit from branch to branch and I think there are various levels, depending on what food you want included. In the Kanda branch at the moment, it seems that the deal starts at ¥3000 per person for two hours drinking and some food. Think you need a minimum of three people though. Oh, and last orders for drinks is 30 mins before the end of the two hours. It's a decent deal if you are interested in the food, but I think if it's just drinks, unless you are really drinking fast, you might not have a chance to fit too many in. Hope this helps.