Hiroshima round up

Hiroshima is a city which has had some decent bars in it for a few years now, and now seems to be growing when it comes to beer, perhaps with the return of tourists in mind. Perhaps not all of the places will be to everyone’s taste though. But I don’t suppose beer is anyone’s main reason for coming here and it is just a pleasant diversion.
Update April 2024: There are FIVE new breweries that I’ve added!

Hiroshima Neighborly Brewing

New brewery which seems like it has lots of money behind in. City centre location on a shopping arcade. Brewery is on the first floor along with a bit of a taproom and there’s a bigger dining area on the second floor. Apparently the top three floors are going to be a hostel. Guess they have been a bit scuppered by the lack of tourists, but as soon as people are back in Hiroshima I’m sure they’ll be busy. Only managed to pop in for a few beers, most of which were quite safe, perhaps designed to appeal to people who aren’t necessarily craft beer fans. But they also had the utterly insane Mint White IPA as a standard beer which was actually quite nice and very unique. About 15 taps if I recall correctly. Think they were all their own beers.
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Golden Garden
Haven’t been here for a long time! Maybe over 10 years. At that time it was one of the only places in town. Since then there are a few more bars and they themselves have opened up Raku (below) and Hiroshima Neighborly Brewing (above). Golden Garden is their world beer cafe so expect some imports. When we went I think it was only on the second floor but judging by pictures it now looks like it has either expanded to include the first floor or has completely moved to there. All of which suggests that everything I have written could be woefully out of date. Ho hum!
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Raku Beer
The Japanese craft beer bar from the team that brought you the Golden Garden bar. All Japanese craft on tap including some of their Hiroshima Neighborly Brewing beers and always seems to have some Daisen on too. Nice feel to it and I think they have some nice food too, although as a tourist, I always stuff myself with Okonomiyaki when I’m in Hiroshima so I think have never eaten here.
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KeMBY’s Brew Pub
Not sure this place is that new, but it was new to me. American style pub, or maybe I’m just saying that because of the pool table and the numerous US Military squadron stickers around. Lots of pub food and… their own brewery! However their own beers are referred to as ‘home brews’ on their menus and blackboards. To some this might sound fine, but to others it might not give off such a positive image. To those who think it’s more of the latter, well, I’m not going to disavow them of their opinion. Definitely this is more of a lively spot than your average craft beer place, so if that’s what you’re looking for, maybe this is the place for you. And if you want to try their beers, they are reasonably priced and you’re probably not going to be able to get them anywhere else.
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Hiroshima North Beer The Base
Little taproom in a kind of fancy mini food court very close to the main station. The brewery itself is north of the city (naturally) and into the mountains so it is significantly easier to come here if you want to drink their beers. Counter for about eight and a little standing area too. 12 taps, eight of which were their own beers. All beers priced the same. Some pub food too. Open from pretty early so a good first stop straight off the train!

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Yokogawa Brewery

Really nice looking place inside what looks a little like a converted house. Brewery is at the back and there’s a spacious feeling bar at the front that opens onto a little shopping street. Seating for maybe eight downstairs. Not sure if there’s anything upstairs. Really nice atmosphere and run by nice people it seems. They had five taps of their own beer on at reasonable prices in nice glassware. Not far from Yokogawa station.
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Session’s Brewery & Beerhall

Kind of spacious place in the Tokaichi area of town, just a little west of the Atomic Bomb Dome. Long counter and lots of seating. Felt a bit more like an eating and drinking place rather than just a taproom and had a big food menu. Only drinking is fine though. Only six taps, all of which were their own beers. Some cans and bottles to takeaway too. Looking at their Instagram there seems to have been some changes in ownership recently so will go back next time and check what’s different. It sounds like it could be a few things.
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Circle Pit

The city centre, (and it really is city centre!), location for the Break Edge brewery. The name of the place and the name of the beers suggested a hardcore obsessed place, but the jazz swing kind of music was completely different to what I had expected. Six taps, all of their own beers. They really focus on hazies, which are not really my thing, but I had their pilsner and it was lovely. I also had a hazy, but can’t remember it, as a friendly customer started talking to me, which was a really good thing as I was alone. Thank you! Pretty small place with quite limited seating. Will definitely go back next time I’m in town
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Hangout / Taros Brewing

Since I last visited Hiroshima, Hangout has moved a little bit west to the Tokaichi neighborhood. Previously it was just a bar but now they are a brewery, bar and bottle shop. Eight taps, all their own beers. Few big fridges with their own cans and some guests too. I think you can drink these on site as well as take them away. Beer flight of three or four beers available so you could go through the entire taplist quite easily. Really enjoyed the beers. And really really enjoyed the food which had a load of great vegetarian and vegan options. In two days in Hiroshima I ate here three times! My favourite place of the trip with a nice atmosphere, friendly staff and generally a really good t
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