Written by James The sign above the shop name says all you need to know, “Craft Beer & Italian”. That’s exactly what Brew Lounge Ichigaya offers. The layout is interesting and a bit unusual. There are five seats at a counter by the door, so it’s easy to come here on your own. There are…
Author: James
THIS Brewing
Written by James THIS is a relatively new brewery and trendy bar very close to Yushima station and about ten minutes from Ueno. The layout of THIS is a bit unusual. There is a standing only counter on the first floor (see photo). The counter is very modern and the whole place is spotless. At…
Futako Brewery
Written by James Futako Brewery is a brewpub in Setagaya. I popped in for a burger lunch and of course, beer. There are two small counters, one facing the kitchen and beer tanks and the other facing a wall. In total, I think there were seven counter seats and table seating for at least 20…
Craft Beer Toca
Written by James Craft Beer Toca is a new bar in Kichijoji. It’s only 30 seconds from Inokashira Koen Station but it’s also very walkable from Kichijoji station, especially if you are going to Inokashira Koen. There are two floors. The first floor was stylish with an L-shaped counter but was standing only. The second floor…
Ushigome Beerkan
Written by James Ushigome Beerkan is a brewpub which is close to both Kagurazaka and Ushigome stations. There aren’t any visible beer tanks but the beer is brewed on site. There are six taps which are all their own beers. The beer label is Shingetsu (New Moon) not Ushigome Beer. The styles don’t all stay…
Taproom Pherment
Written by James Taproom Pherment is a nice new brewpub with daytime opening which is about four minutes walk from Shinjuku-Gyoenmae or Shinjuku-Sanchome. It is actually inside Vector Brewing’s brewing room. Vector Brewing is still alive and well but they have rented some tanks out to Pherment. Vector Brewing has a lot of tanks and…
Frank’s Barbe(e)r The Stand
Written by James I love to drink beer in the afternoon but it is difficult to find places to enjoy a craft beer before 5-6 p.m. I saw this place on Instagram and was attracted by the fact that, being both a barber shop and a bar, Frank’s Barbe(e)r The Stand is always open during…
Beer Glass Hopper
Written by James Beer Glass Hopper is a one man bar located about seven minutes from Mizuhodai station on the Tobu line. I have a soft spot for one man (person) bars and I have met the owner several times at different bars on Thursdays, which is their day off, so I decided to check…
Tsukuba Brewery / Pebbles Beer
Written by James After climbing Mount Tsukuba (for work as it happens) I decided to check out Tsukuba Brewery. The first thing to note is that it’s quite hard to get to. Even if you are at Tsukuba station, it’s still a 3km walk or taxi ride away. That said, if you are in Tsukuba…
Beer Olyn
Written by James A relatively new craft beer bar just two minutes walk from Kagurazaka station. I found Beer Olyn on Instagram and decided to check it out. The first thing you notice is the cool homemade window sign (see photo). It’s not on the first floor and the sign helps people find the place….