A quick post today on somewhere than I have had on my list of places to go to, but I probably realistically didn’t imagine I’d get to this soon. Ushiku Brewing’s taproom Grains and Grapes is about ten minutes walk from Ushiku station in the other direction from where Chateau Kamiya used to be. (Well the place is still there, the brewery isn’t anymore though, I think). I believe the people who started this brewery came from Chateau Kamiya actually. Anyway, here’s what you need to know:
- Small place that serves as both a taproom for the Ushiku Brewry and also a beer and wine shop. The place for drinking is basically at the counter for six, although there is also a small table for two.
- Eight beers (and two wines!) on tap. Seven of the beers were their own and one was a guest. Pricing is good as a regular was ¥800 and a large ¥1000. I’d say the regular is around 350ml and was in a tulip glass and the large is a US pint. Also, they have a beer flight which is two wine glass size beers of your choice for ¥1000. As it’s a booze shop too it’s no surprise they sell their own bottles to take away and they also have some domestic craft guests too. Oh, and they do Growler fills.
- Couldn’t find WiFi, but there is no cover charge and plenty of daytime opening. They do close early though, so don’t expect to turn up at six for a big session. And they have some small food items available to sustain you as you work your way through the taplist.
This was a nice place to visit and I really enjoyed the beers. I don’t recall seeing their beers around very often. I don’t know if this is because they sell most of their stuff locally or for some other reason, but I’d definitely be up for trying more of their beers in a place that is a bit closer to home for me. I’m not sure this is somewhere that people are going to come to visit especially from Tokyo, but the relative proximity to the station means that it’s well worth stopping off here and pairing it with some other spots along the Joban line. I imagine I will be back next time I’m heading out that way.
Japanese breweries on tap:
Ushiku
Sankt Gallen
Opening Hours:
Wednesday-Friday , 15:00-19:00
Saturday, Sunday & holidays, 13:00-19:00
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Location/Map:
牛久町 531-3, Ushiku-shi, Ibaraki-ken
Telephone:
090-9801-9195