Miyagi Round Up

Today we’re moving on to Miyagi. There is a slight problem though in that I have already done posts for places in Sendai which is in Miyagi. Rather than delete and repost or move stuff around, I’m just going to list those places on here with links to the other blog posts. Hope that’s not too annoying. Compared to the loads of places I’ve been in Iwate, this post is going to be pretty short I think. But like I said, new places will be added as and when I visit them or hear about them.

Kesennuma

Black Tide Brewing

It takes quite a long time to get to Kesennuma. Well, about an hour from Ichinoseki on a not so regular train. If you’re a Black Tide fan it might be worth a trip though. The tap room is pretty small and is basically at the end of one of those kind of tourist food shop things if you know what I mean. So it’s more like a mini food court feel with a counter with a few tables that are probably shared with the other food and drink outlets. They had six taps on when we went but it wasn’t exactly tourist season and they had probably the same amount off. There is also a fridge of cans with different selections to what is on tap (which was a blessing as there were a lot of hazy IPAs on when we went. If you’re in the town, I recommend the Kesennuma City Memorial Museum. It is obviously pretty heavy going though.
Note – they have now opened a tap room in Sendai. See entry below for details
Website  

Sendai

Amber Rondo

Legendary!
See separate post here

Argon Brewing

Not strictly in Sendai but close enough. And in a town that is unlikely to get it’s own section on this Miyagi breakdown so that’s why it’s included here. It’s about 30 minutes on the train from the centre of Sendai. Not as far as it sounds, but the train is quite a slow one. Exterior makes it look like an Irish pub but inside it feels more Japanese. Small brewery at the back of the building and a nice arrangement of seating. Had five taps of their own beers on when we were there. Very reasonable pricing (¥800 for a UK pint and ¥500 for a half). Their Mars Laser sour was VERY NICE! Serves nice looking food too (judging from their Facebook) but we were on something of a mission to get to a few places and also were totally stuffed from a very cheesy pizza beforehand. Well worth the trip if you’re in the city. And also I much prefer going to these places than more identikit places you might find. Not pointing any fingers at other places mentioned in this post particularly, just speaking generally.
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Batsuji Brewing

Very swish and fairly new city centre brewery which seems to have some serious cash behind it. Situated in a restaurant cafe space in what seems like a multi purpose building. It’s big with lots of tables but not so many people in it of an evening. Beer tends towards the more fashionable styles with some hazy stuff on the menu. They had six of their own beers on and three guests. Amazingly massive double wall big video screen that shows different aspects of the wonders of Tohoku. It was actually quite captivating and felt like being at a cinema. As you’d expect from it being in a restaurant, it serves food. We had a couple of little dishes and they were very nice.
Website

Butcher Republic Sendai Chicago Pizza & Beer

Used to be a Delirium Cafe. As far as I can tell only the name and the food have changed so the old post should still be reasonably accurate. Guess Belgium isn’t cool anymore…
See separate post here

Craft Beer Market Sendai

It’s a Craft Beer Market! But it’s in Sendai!
See separate post here

Craftsman Sendai

It’s a Craftsman! But it’s in Sendai!
See separate post here

Dabos

I haven’t actually been here but my friend demanded I put it on as it was something of a Belgian beer pioneer in Japan and is apparently a great place. I definitely want to go next time now.
Website

Tregion Sendai

Fun place to visit. Daytime opening, much like the other Tregion bars. Focus on Tohoku beer and food. I like these places. Check the post on the Akasaka branch here to get an idea what to expect. Think they had six taps here, one from each Tohoku prefecture, with some unusual stuff in there. It’s pretty much in the JR station on the third floor of one of the S-PAL buildings near the east exit of the station.
Website

amnt

When I discovered amnt after a recent web search I was very excited. A craft beer place with Tohoku beers and vegetable based food. Perfect, right? Of course I should have realised that in Japan there is almost always some ‘bonus’ meat added. In fact everything in the lunch menu was meaty or fishy. I didn’t see the regular menu so maybe that is more vegetarian friendly. But this is a beer website so I shouldn’t be writing so much about the food, should I? They have six taps of Tohoku beer (well one was from Tochigi which isn’t Tohoku but I think the general aim is Tohoku beers) and a couple of fridges of bottles and cans. Not sure if these are for on the premises or takeaway or both. The website says takeaway beer is coming soon, but I don’t know if the website is up to date or not. Small counter and a few tables. Really good prices for the beer. And a nice atmosphere. Will definitely go back next time I’m in Sendai.
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Black Tide Brewing Sendai

Given that it’s not that easy to get to Kessennuma and that their taproom only had limited opening hours anyway, it’s a very welcome thing that Black Tide have now opened a taproom in Sendai. 15 taps of their own beers all served in one size (300ml). The prices for that size started at ¥900 and went up to about ¥1100, but that was for high strength triple IPAs and the like. Beer flight available too but as it was the end of a long day, I have failed to write down any details of it. I have a vague memory of it being four beers for ¥2200 but I suspect that might not be right. Lots of cans in the fridge to drink in or takeaway with a reasonable corkage fee for drinking on site. An interesting mix of standing and seated counters with a few regular tables too. Some of the standing counters make it look a bit like you’re behind the bar which was quite fun. Lots of food which I didn’t really investigate, but the kitchen was big and well-staffed so I imagine there’s a decent variety of stuff. I found that I had written kushiyaki in my notes which was a little surprising as I just had to look it up to see what it was. As a vegetarian a lot of food vocab passes me by. Cashless payments only, (credit cards are your friend here but I used PayPay), and they had WiFi. Some daytime opening.
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