Written by Rick
I was going home from school like I usually do by bike and while on a bridge crossing the Yamanote line between Otsuka and Ikebukuro I happened to see a shop with the neon sign saying ‘CDs Records Beer’ next to the tracks. Noting the condition of the sign and general state of the shop it had obviously been there a long time. Having never noticed the shop before, intrigued, I popped in for a look-see. Before entering the shop, my hopes increased seeing the ‘Craft Beer’ sign outside. Dubious cans of expensive Ji-Beer were my initial thoughts. Upon entering not many customers, zero to be exact, and the musty old CD/record shop seemed a fine example of a poster child for antiquated technology’s commercial inviolability. But before leaving I just had to check out this beer thing parked inconspicuously at the back. Just a counter to buy the beer and a few stools stacked up beside it. Anyway, I thought I might have one to tide me over till I got home.
To my astonishment they had 10 taps (although only 4 were actually on), yes taps! in what – for all intents and purposes – was just an old-style record shop with serious narrow aisles. Three of the taps were Burnt Mill (a British brewery) but the 4th tap was a collaboration beer made by the owner at Kanpai Brewing. It was a Hazy IPA. A record shop with their own beer on tap. Wow!
Prices were ¥799 plus tax for all the beers (350 ml) which seemed reasonable enough so I went for a glass. They also did a flight of three 230ml glasses for ¥1599 plus tax. As you’d expect, there was no charge and, being a record shop, it’s open during the day.
The guy behind the counter was friendly enough and in he poured me a plastic cup of the beer of my choice. As luck would have it, it was great! Maybe a little of the TPO going on but it was definitely worth the price. The bloke started up a conversation and it turns out that, although he doesn’t have the equipment to brew on site, he often does collaboration beers and the next one he has planned will be brewed at 2nd Story.
Although he’s Japanese he calls himself Billy, and he’s an incredibly nice person. On my way out I ended up buying a can of craft beer he just got in the shop which emptied me of my last bills before I rode home.
It is indeed obscure. I got the feeling that his friend, or family own the CD shop and he just started a beer counter at the back because he could. It is definitely worth a visit if just for the bizarre nature of the place. Tokyo can still offer those what-the-heck-was-that moments and this is indeed one.
Japanese breweries seen on tap:
Kanpai
Opening Hours:
Daily, 12:00-20:00
Location/Map:
東池袋 2-59-7, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Telephone:
03-5992-7385