This post is a work in progress, so please bear that in mind before having your mind boggled by the complete lack of information. There are a few beer places in Okayama city and some places elsewhere in the prefecture but I have absolutely no idea about them and for that reason I’m not going to add them yet. All of which means that this post is going to be very short for now. And the one place included is in a shopping centre food court… But it was surprisingly fun.
Craft Beer Shop Doppo
Doppo beer is semi-regularly seen in some of the ‘many taps at a semi low price’ bars in Tokyo. I’m not sure it’s particularly something that people search out though. However, it tasted pretty damn good in the food court of the Aeon Mall next to Okayama station. They had five taps which seem to rotate fairly regularly though their line up, but I think one is always the unfiltered version of their pils, the normal version of which you see around sometimes. It was really nice! I wish more breweries would release unfiltered lagers but I guess it’s not particularly logistically viable. The other beers were nice too and I even kind of enjoyed the Muscat Pils! The prices are really good. Think it was around ¥600 for around 400ml and what with it being in a food court, there were plenty of food options. We were only on a flying visit to Okayama for some other tourism so didn’t try anywhere else. But if you’re doing the same, it’s well worth a stop before you get back on the train. And even if it’s raining the shopping centre is connected to the station via an underpass. Oh, one last thing, it’s on the fourth floor.
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Craft Rainbow
Fun little beer pub with four or five taps of Japanese craft. Very small place, so if you definitely want to go here I’d advise arriving early. Run by a football supporter, so if you visit you might end up talking about your team and admiring the collection of scarves.
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Kawazu Brewing
Really nice looking new-ish place with really good food with plenty of veggie options. Around ten taps, four of which were their own and were perhaps a bit of a work in progress. But we’ll definitely be going back for the amazing food next time we’re in town. Really good prices too.
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Kibidote
Not easy to get to and a bit of a walk from any station. Strange looking place with apparently some seating upstairs although we didn’t get that far as they were fully booked… They offered take away beers, but my spirit was crushed and I just saved myself for the next place instead. I feel like after my disappointment I’m being quite generous adding it here…
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Kurashiki Brewing Co
Another fancy new brewery, about 15 minutes outside of Okayama but confusingly not actually near Kurashiki station. But extremely close to Hayashima station. Daytime opening! They had five of their own beers on and a flight of the lot for ¥1500. You order beers for drinking in or taking away from the screen near the entry door pictured. Beware, no cash payments.
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