This is part four of what will be constantly updated posts with brief descriptions of places that possibly deserve to be on here but which I have either no time or inclination to visit. Part one is here, part two here, three is here, five is here or you can view all of them by clicking the digest tag, or just clicking here. I have tried various ways of keeping up to date with the crazy amount of places that are opening and have been struggling with deciding which places warrant including and which don’t. This seems to be a reasonable way of dealing with them. They will remain on the map with a question mark as I can’t vouch for any of these. The map will link to this post where places will be listed in alphabetical order with a short description and link which should give you some idea of what to expect and whether it’s worth going to. There will be no tags, as that will just confuse matters I think. If I end up going to any of these places and they are worthy of a full write up, I’ll remove them from here and make them a post of their own. Not everything on the backlog will be on here. This is mainly intended for what I imagine to be a bit less interesting but still worth mentioning places.
Aglio – Shimotakaido
Interesting name for a Belgian bar! Very little info about this place again, but I’m a sucker for Belgian beer. (Although I don’t really go to Belgian bars in Tokyo much). Some interesting beers pictured on their Facebook but Stella was also mentioned so let’s not get too carried away. Guess this is one for you if you are in the area and need Belgian refreshment and are unwilling to go into central Tokyo. Perhaps I’m damning this place with faint praise without even ever visiting. If you’ve been, tell me about the place please!
Facebook
Apart – Sangenjaya
The new ‘Craftheads’, opened by the same people after the closure of the Shibuya branch. Seems to be the same kind of tap list and pricing too, so I guess you’ll probably feel the same about this place as you did about Craftheads.
Facebook
Baird Beer Kichijoji Taproom – Kichijoji
Another Baird taproom, in what use to be the Swan Lake Kichihjoji branch, which closed before I even managed to add it to this list. Just down the road from Beer Boy and looks a bit smaller than the usual Baird taprooms. Food is ‘American South West soul food’. Beers and pricing are the same as the other places, I’m guessing.
Website
Bar Sal’s – Saginuma
Sister bar of Craftheads (which was in Shibuya and is now in Sangenjaya as Apart (see above)). Perhaps due to the location, this place seems quite off the radar for most people. From the Facebook it seems that they have similar beers to Craftheads ie. some good and some rotten Japanese stuff along with exotic US imports. If you’ve ever been to Craftheads you probably have your own opinions about that place, and I guess this place would probably give you the same feelings. Bonus opinion from someone who’s actually been there ‘Sal’s is much more chill than Craftheads.’
Facebook
B & W – Yokohama
B & W means beer and wine so I guess you know what you’re getting here. Looks like a nice cosy place with three taps of craft beer. No idea about prices though.
Facebook
Belgian Beer Bar Gibbon – Nishiikebukuro
Another interestingly named Belgian beer bar. Not the biggest selection but includes some good stuff, and their website lists their beer menu and prices which is satisfyingly straightforward.
Website
Another brewpub that has yet to start brewing. Seems to be a metal music connection. At the moment, looks like it usually has five beers on, all US imports. Prices seem about what you’d expect but I’m guessing that the size is US pint so If it isn’t, the prices are not what you’d expect. Will visit and write it up when they are brewing.
Carvaan Craft Beer & Grill – Hanno
The closer to the station taproom for Carvaan. But if you’re making the effort to go all the way up to Hanno from Tokyo, you might prefer to visit the brewery. Perhaps this place is intended to keep drinkers away from the fancy restaurant space.
Craft Beer Diner Takiey – Toritsudaigaku
Meat and mainly US imported craft beer apparently. Seem to post on facebook when they get something new on tap. Bottle and can selection too.
Facebook
Cube Bar – Kawasaki
Another Kawasaki bar, brought to my attention by the fact that they collaborated on TK Brewing’s Kawsaki Union Red along with some other Kawasaki craft beer places. Looks like four taps of craft with some interesting selections. No idea about prices, but I can see myself popping down here soon so will update when I go.
Facebook
Food Hall Blast! / Draft Pub Bevvy – Shinjuku
A combination of restaurants and bars in one building with a food court kind of vibe, but perhaps trying quite hard to be urban, fresh and ‘hip’. In a convenient location, very near the station but was pretty lacking in excitement when it came to the beer. The food was quite nice though. Beer prices seemed reasonable for the location, but if I go back it will most likely not be to drink. So that’s not really a huge recommendation.
Website
Four Hearts – Kofu (Maybe closed…. maybe)
Another option for boozing in Kofu along with the ones I’ve already got here. Seems to have a nice selection of Japanese craft along with some other kinds of drinks. Will check it out next time I’m there.
Facebook
Gather @ Eating House – Yokohama
Very big place in the World Porters shopping centre. Beer selection looks boring, so not sure why I am even adding it to this digest post but I guess maybe shopping centre bars are some people’s thing. Prices look ok but the sizes are smaller than you’d expect, so take that into account. They don’t include tax either. Honestly, there are much better places to drink I reckon, so approach with caution.
Website
Harvestmoon Brewery – Maihama
Going to Disney and want to drink beer? This is the place for you. Harvestmoon beer is so common in bars in Tokyo though that I’ve never personally considered going here to be honest. But thought it deserved an entry anyway. And they do have a beer festival there too, I think.
Facebook
J’s Beer – Tsujido
Bottle shop that seems like a place that loves its US beer, with loads of Antenna America stuff. Also seems to have a few taps of US stuff so I suppose you can drink on site if you want. Guess there’s not much point for people who live closer to Yokohama to go here, but it’s a nice option if you’re in the area.
Facebook
Loco Beer – Sakura, Chiba
BEWARE! Nowhere to drink on site, but if you’re looking to buy Loco Beer bottles you can come here. Or possibly alternatively go somewhere more convenient and buy them.
Facebook
Mackendy – Tsujido
Irish pub that will hopefully soon start brewing. Until then, and possibly even after then, they have 10 taps of reasonably priced and reasonably interesting Japanese craft beer.
Facebook
Mugiya (King Pelican Beer Stand) – Yokohama/Nagamugi
Four taps of Japanese craft which look interesting. Prices look decent. Have never been to this area so it’s all a bit of a mystery to me.
Facebook
North Village Bar & Grill – Shiki
Bit of a mystery but it’s been recommended to me. 12 taps of Japanese and imported craft. Food too, I guess from the name. The link below seems to be the Facebook but judging by the map on that page, the place is in Hokkaido, so you’re on your own really.
Facebook
O’val Craft Beer & Bistro Dining – Todakoen
Belgian bar/cafe with an enjoyably punny name. Six taps of beer including some from local brewery Shiki and some imports, one British and one Belgian. Looks nice.
Facebook
Sidewalk Stand – Yutenji
Coffee shop with five taps of Japanese craft with some interesting stuff there. No online presence which is a bit weird, but I seem to remember the Inokashira Koen place was the same in that respect.
Nothing here
Smoke Beer Factory – Kanamecho, Higashinagasaki
These places really passed me by for some reason. Had no idea about them till a friend mentioned them. Seems that the brewpub is in Otsuka and the other two branches serve the beer, but I could be very wrong about this. (Have now done a post on the Otsuka branch. Check it out here). Don’t think all the beers are smoked, but there are some interesting ones mentioned on their facebook page which are. I guess I have to go here soon and find out. No idea about prices or amount of taps. Sorry.
Facebook
Takadanobaba Beer Shokudo – Takadanobaba
10 taps of Japanese and imported stuff split about 50/50. Apparently a bit expensive and has big plates of food with it’s slogan ‘craft beer and chicken’ giving you an idea towards what’s going on. It’s open very late (normally) and puts its tap list on Facebook so you can check what’s on and also check the prices and decide for yourself.
Facebook
Seems to be a second brewery for YYG and taproom. Perhaps the original space is too small for them now, but you don’t see their beer around outside of the taproom, so seems strange. No idea if they are still brewing at the old place. I haven’t been there for a while as every time I visited I seemed to like the beer less.