Uwamachi Cheers : The Bottom Line
To this day, I don’t understand why Koori, a small little place in the middle of nowhere with only one train per hour at best, has a pretty decent craft beer brewpub. I guess it’s because a community like Koori needs something to ensure the town has a meeting place for both drinkers and non-drinkers alike, but I was very much surprised by Uwamachi Cheers and would heartily recommend it if you’re in the area. The beers are well made, the prices reasonable, and the people friendly. Perhaps the only downside to it is that location but if you’re coming to the countryside then you’ve got to expect these things. The whole place is non-smoking, has free WiFi, and no table charge. Let’s hope you can do some outside drinking too as the views are fantastic.
Uwamachi Cheers : The Full Write
When I was planning this trip across Fukushima, I was expecting to spend most of, if not all, of my time in the Fukushima city area, slowly exploring the city and all of its craft beer offerings. It wasn’t until I got to Yellow Beer Works, and talked with the owner, that they recommended I head off to Uwamachi Cheers to try some more local beers. I had noticed some of the beers in Fukushima station, so if a local brewery owner recommends heading out to a “rival” brewery, then it is usually a good idea to go check them out.
Uwamachi Cheers is the taproom for Handa Ginzan Brewery, who produce the beers called Solder Craft, and is based in Koori, which is located around 15 minutes north of Fukushima city on the JR Tohoku Main Line. And then it’s a 10 minute walk from the station so we’re really in the middle of nowhere for this visit. Handa Ginzan Brewery opened in August 2020 with the taproom at the same time.
Uwamachi Cheers : Atmosphere & Interior
It’s clear that a lot of money has gone into making Uwamachi Cheers because as you approach from outside, the whole building looks very modern, compared to the houses and buildings around it. It seemed weird that a brewpub like this would open up in a town of 10,000 people that are so spread out that cars are the most popular way to get around, but beer has always been about building community.
I arrived soon after opening to find that many of the tables had been reserved, but luckily there was space for me at one of the window seats. Within ten minutes of being seated, Uwamachi Cheers was half full with women out for lunch with friends, families sat together celebrating a birthday, and then some people with pets outside, though with the iffy weather predicted, I wonder how long they sat outside for.
Inside Uwamachi Cheers there is space for around 50 people, situated at tables with various configurations, and also some counter seats. The whole place is non-smoking, has no table charge, and also free WiFi. There is also a terrace seating area that is usually open from the beginning of May when the weather is nice, but at the time of writing, there was no shade or cover outside so it could get a bit warm.
Uwamachi Cheers : Beer & Tap Information
As Uwamachi Cheers is the taproom for Handa Ginzan Brewery, it would make sense then for all the beers to be from them, so there are 8 taps of beer, though one of those is a macro lager, so even your non-craft beer drinking friends can come. The beers come in two sizes: regular (300 ml) from 500 yen and then large (420 ml) from 700 yen. There is also a four beer flight that gets you any four 200 ml beers for 1,300 yen. Moreover, there is also the option for some bottles to be drunk in-store, without a corkage fee, or to be taken away. On top of all of that, Uwamachi Cheers also does growler fills, which is pretty convenient because of the location of the brewpub. There wasn’t any option for a happy hour though there was a drink plan for 2 hours for 2,500 yen – that had to be a mistake!
I had four beers and found them to be rather well-made considering of the location and the threat of the dreaded ji-beer idealogy. I ended up surprisingly enjoying the shiso pale ale but it was the coffee stout that took the win for me, so much so that I went and ordered a large glass of the beer and it hadn’t even gone midday. I was in a rush to get the next train back to Fukushima but sitting down at the window, watching the world go by, and the grey clouds roll on in, I could easily have stayed and drunk all the beers on the menu.
Uwamachi Cheers : Food Information
Of course I went for chips – that’s what I do. However, the range of food at Uwamachi Cheers was varied and plentiful. The brewpub tries to use as much locally grown ingredients where possible so there are options for everyone, with vegetarians well covered. The menus are all in Japanese though and the staff didn’t speak any English when I went so you will need to go with someone who can read or speak Japanese to ensure that you don’t go hungry. All of the prices included tax as well.
Uwamachi Cheers : Information
- Open : Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 – 15:00 (L.O 14:30 ) / 17:00 – 21:00 (L.O 20:30) Sunday 11:00 – 15:00 (L.O 14:30) / 17:00 – 20:00 (L.O 19:30)
- Closed : Monday
- Happy Hour : –
- Phone : 050-5266-0545
- Homepage (in Japanese) : https://www.uwamachi-cheers.com/
- Social Media : Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
