Citraba

I’m not sure this really counts as a new blog post as large portions of it have been lifted directly from the old blog post on this bar’s previous incarnation, Craft Beer Market Koenji (you can check that post here if you want and if you can read the text through the strikethrough effect). To be honest though, not a lot has changed. These bullet points might read slightly weirdly as they’ve been cut and pasted to a certain extent but hopefully what you need to know is all here.

– Exactly the same layout as the previous CBM. Seating at a couple of counters for around 15 and quite a few small tables in the back, probably room for about 20-30 at these. There is also a small standing area, which I think seems to work as a waiting area for a table if you turn up without a reservation.

– In the CBM days there were 30 taps and 2 hand-pumps. When I visited there were less (12) but these are state of emergency times and I can’t imagine they have removed taps. Maybe they just don’t use all of them anymore. I’ve scrolled back on Facebook looking at taplists and it looks like in non-emergency times they had about 20 taps on. Prices are ¥580 for glass, and ¥980 for a pint so the prices are a little more than CBM but that’s no surprise. Still good value though. They have higher priced fancy beers in various sizes at various prices. Check their Facebook posts for beer lists and prices if you fancy. Beers were split maybe 50/50 between imported stuff and Japanese craft. Bit too many hazy beers for my liking but I realise I am on the other side of that argument to a lot of the beer drinking world so won’t labour that point. Oh, they had a beer flight option too. 3 x 150ml for ¥1100. Presumably not of the pricier beers.

– ¥300 cover charge like CBM had. No smoking and some daytime opening. Didn’t check wifi. Sorry!

Probably should mention here that this place is now more focused on lemon sours than beers. These are served in absolutely massive glasses that look like vases with handles. Some of the other sours on offer looked pretty tempting but we ran out of time and alcohol tolerance. But anyway, I’m sure the Tokyo Sour Drinker blog will have dealt with that all in detail. Basically, it still feels like a Craft Beer Market but it’s a little more expensive and there are lots of sours. There is however some absurdly good value on the menu if you look for it.

Japanese breweries on tap when I visited:
Ise Kadoya
Black Tide
Izu No Kuni
Coedo
Nomcraft
Shiga Kogen

Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday, 17:00-23:30
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays, 12:00-23:30

Possibly… but different right now in the state or emergency. Check their Facebook I guess.

Location/map:
2-22-6 高円寺北, Suginami-ku, Tokyo

Directions:
From Koenji JR station, leave via the north exit, and cross the square. Head north up the road in the north-west corner of the square. Carry on up this road till the end and Craft Beer Market will be right in front of you.

Telephone:
03-6383-0301

Links:
Website
Facebook page
Instagram
Twitter