Beer Brain The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a no-frills bar with cheap beer in Tokyo, then Beer Brain is right up your street – if you don’t mind the walk from Harajuku or Omotoesando station. The beers are cold and cheap – perhaps the cheapest we’ve seen in Tokyo – and the prices include tax. There is no table charge as there are not tables and there is no food – so make sure you eat something before you go. Perhaps the pizza shop over the road that offers ¥500 pizzas would be a good bet. There is free WiFi if you are nice and the only smoking is done outside the box and up the road.
Sorry, no panoramic shot today as there isn’t space.
Beer Brain Full Review
When I first saw the video for the Tokyo Beer Boyz, the first thing that came to mind was “a shed on wheels that you can drink in” – what an absolute bonkers concept. Sounds like something Mythbusters would build and test out. Beer Brain opened up at the beginning of July 2016, with the shed on wheels being built in Yamanashi and then transported down to its current location, with the idea being that it can easily be transported to beer festivals and events across Japan. In Feb 2017, the bar moved to its current location at Commune 2nd, just across from Yona Yona Beer Works Omotesando.
It’s a blink and miss it to which I did and walked around the block trying to find it – not helped with their Facebook page showing a location not even close to where it actually is. The inside of the shed is cosy to say the least – air con blasting away keeping it cool, with a roughly 2m by 2m standing drinking area by the bar. There are no table charges – mainly because the only place to sit is outside in the street on a white bench. I managed to meet the owner, Fukuma-san, while I was drinking there, and he proved to be a genial owner, willing to chat and talk, both in Japanese or in English, along with Noma-san who ensure conversation was kept fun and lively.
There are 5 taps at Beer Brain though one of those is for cold brew coffee. Two taps are for domestic craft beer and the other two are for imports. Prices are some of, if not the cheapest prices in Tokyo. Half US pints for domestic craft beer are ¥350 or ¥450 for imported, while US pints are ¥700 for domestic craft beer and ¥850 for imported beer. Those prices include tax as well as being cash on delivery – the only problem you have is that when only two beers are on, how many do you want to drink.
If you thought Thrash Zone in Yokohama was lacking in food, then Beer Brain will have you reeling. The only food on sale is some kakipi snacks provided by Transporter – you should seriously stock up on some food or snacks before you come along though there is a nice pizza place across the road.
Beer Brain Details
Open: Monday to Thursday 13:00 – 22:00 Friday to Sunday 11:00 – 22:00
Happy Hour: None
Phone: 080-3092-4862
Homepage (in Japanese): http://www.tbb.works/
How to Get to Beer Brain
The closest station to Beer Brain is Omotesando station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line (C-04) Tokyo Metro Ginza Line (G-02) Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line (Z-02), or for those coming on JR, then JR Harajuku. FromOmotesando station, take exit number A4, turn left after the Familymart and walk straight. Beer Brain is on your right.
[ezcol_1half]Directions from Omotesando Station
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]Directions from JR Harajuku
[/ezcol_1half_end]
