In the previous entry of “Best of the Bunch” we looked at brewpubs – those with brewing premises on site where you can watch the action up close. For this one, we’re going to be looking at taprooms. These are places that may or may not have a brewery on site, but the key points here are:
- The bar must be selling predominantly their own beer. This has to be at least 50% of the taps at the time of writing.
- There may be a brewery on site; however, it is not open to the public or the public are not able to see inside the brewery.
- If they are in the brewpub series, then they are not going to be included in this list.
- We’re not thinking about food here, that is not going to sway us at all. Should the quality of the beer matter? Of course.
For this list, we’re going to look at places in the Kanto area, and then areas outside of Kanto.
Table of Contents : Taprooms
Devilcraft Kanda – Kanda / Tokyo
Devilcraft has four taprooms so it was always going to be tough to pick one. So we went with the OG place – it might be the smallest of the branches, and can be difficult to get into at times, but it’s the one that holds the best memories for us. With the standing bar on the first floor, and also two floors above, the atmosphere is the best of the bunch. The Jiyugaoka taproom runs a close second though, with it’s outside area a delight to relax in when the weather’s nice.
Link to Review : Devilcraft Kanda in Kanda, Tokyo
Baird Beer Nakameguro – Nakameguro / Tokyo
With the main brewery down in Shuzenji being one of my favourite places, it’s not the most convenient though for people. With a number of taprooms in Tokyo though, you can easily get some Baird Beer in the city. The only choice you’ve got to make is what food you want alongside it – and pizza wins out. The reason is that the style of pizza here – New Haven – isn’t oft found in Tokyo, while you can easily get better yakitori, BBQ, and kushikatsu in the city.
Link to Review : Baird Nakameguro Taproom in Nakameguro, Tokyo
Tokyo Aleworks Station Taproom Yurakucho – Yurakucho / Tokyo
The original location in Itabashi may have a pinball machine, but it’s this taproom branch in Yurakucho that is the better of the two options to get their beers a bit closer to home. With a large number of taps, around 20 on our last visit, and some good food, you’ve got a wonderful combination ahead of you. With some beers to takeaway too, you’re sorted for the train journey back.
Link to Review : Tokyo Aleworks Station Taproom Yurakucho (Yurakucho / Tokyo)
Shiokaze BrewStand – Soga / Chiba
Chiba is not the easiest place to get to for me, and if you know me, then you know Chiba is not high on my list of places to visit. This taproom for Shiokaze though is worth the effort to get out here though. It’s a lively communual place with some well made beers on tap, with also a good variety of beers on tap. Just make sure you don’t miss the last train back to Tokyo though as it’s a long walk.
Link to Review : Shiokaze BrewStand in Soga, Chiba
Yorocco Beer Pub Sasameza – Kamakura / Kanagawa
Beach Muffin in Zushi was long considered an unofficial taproom for Yorocco Beer, but this place is the official taproom and is well worthy of a visit. With 10 taps of craft beer – split between ales and lagers – there’s something for everything here. It’s not the largest taproom going, but it does have a strong community atmosphere going for it. With some beers to takeaway too, you’ve got something for the walk back to the station, and the train journey home.
Link to Review : Yorocco Beer Pub Sasameza (Kamakura / Kanagawa)
Yokohama Bay Brewing – Kannai / Kanagawa
As with Devilcraft, Yokohama Bay Brewing has several taprooms going for it. The Yokohama Bay Brewing Totsuka taproom is one of our favourites, but it’s this original place, with the wrestling posters, the black and white decor, and the high tables that holds the spot for the bar. Brewing has been moved out of here now, but come along for some excellent lagers and some ras potato. You could argue for including the taproom in Yokohama but this wins out for character alone.
Link to Review : Yokohama Bay Brewing Kannai in Kannai, Yokohama
Mokichi Trattoria – Samukawa / Kanagawa
This taproom has to be seen to be believed. Shonan Beer does have three other taprooms in the area but this one wins out. Sitting outside during the annual Oktoberfests, during spring as the cherry blossoms bloom covering the site in pink, the architecture of the buildings. It really is a delight to visit and drink at. With plenty of beers on tap, and food available, there is something for everyone here. It’s not the most accessible of the branches, but it’s worth making the effort here – especially for some of the limited edition beers.
Link to Review : Mokichi Trattoria in Kagawa, Kanagawa
Odawara Garage Brewing – Odawara / Kanagawa
The inclusion of this taproom could be considered cheating – the brewery is downstairs; however, you can’t actually see the brewing when you’re in the bar. As such, it’s getting included. The communual feeling of drinking here is strong in this taproom, and there’s a good number of beers on tap to choose from. You can bring your own food here, though make sure you take your rubbish home with you please.
Link to Review : Odawara Garage Brewing (Odawara / Kanagawa)
Outside of Kanto
Tap Room Beer Kotan – Sapporo, Hokkaido
Beer Kotan have been making some fantastic beers, and with this taproom in the centre of Sapporo, their beers are readily available. You could schlep it out to the brewery; however, with the heavy snow in winter, and there not being a guarantee that the shop will be open, why risk it? Come here, sit in the “open” outside area, and have some of their beers delievered to the table.
Link to Review : Tap Room Beer Kotan in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Yellow Beer Works Bunkadori – Bunkadori / Fukushima
You can’t miss this taproom when you’re in Fukushima city. Yellow Beer Works do have an on-site bar, though it’s sporadically open – as we found out on our visit to it. Go closer to the city, and get some of their beers here instead. There’s a good range and number of beers on tap, so you’re bound to find something here you like. The food – onigiris or rice balls – are a delight to eat, as is the fried chicken too.
Link to Review : Yellow Beer Works Bunkadori (Fukushima / Fukushima)
Y Market Brewing Kitchen – Nagoya / Aichi
Nagoya has a couple of places to visit but it’s this taproom for Y Market Brewing that wins out for us. Though there is some brewing still done here, it pales in comparison to the amount done at the actual brewery. Plus, you can’t sit and watch the brewers when you’re drinking. With over 15 taps of craft beer, and a decent selection of styles on, there’s something for everyone at this taproom. Just make sure you’ve got enough space in your bag to take some cans home with you.
Link to Review :
West Coast Brewing #3 Mobile Fridge – Shizuoka / Shizuoka
Like other breweries on here, there’s a plethora of West Coast Brewing taprooms to drink at. Yet this has been the one that I’ve returned to the most – why? It’s fun. It’s got a great atmosphere. It’s less geeky and cliquey than at other taprooms – it exemplifies what drinking should be about – having some good beers on tap, having some laughs with the community, and not be able showing off on social media. The lack of food might put people off, but we’re here to drink!
Link to Review : West Coast Brewing #3 Mobile Fridge (Shizuoka / Shizuoka)
Open Air Brewing Kobe Motomachi – Kobe / Hyogo
Award winning beer on tap, with gyoza, and an outside drinking area? That surely means this place HAS to go on this list. Open Air Brewing are long time favourites on this site, and for good reason. Their taproom in the middle of Kobe is popular with locals and tourists alike, and with a great selection of beers on tap, what is there not to love about this place?
Link to Review : Open Air Brewing Kobe Motomachi (Kobe / Hyogo)
Two Rabbits Beer House – Omihachiman / Shiga
Ōmihachiman is a city located in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. That’s all I knew about it. I planned a cycle around Lake Biwa and knew that Two Rabbits are from there. Even better in that there is a taproom for them in the city. It’s a beautiful area, walking along the canals, and then picking up some well priced beers at this taproom – and perhaps some cans too. If you’re in the area, there is simply no excuse not to go here. None.
Link to Review : Two Rabbits Beer House (Omihachiman / Shiga)
Craft Beer Base Bud – Umeda / Osaka
We have to include somewhere in Osaka – the city to rival Tokyo and Yokohama for craft beer. While Minoh does have a strong influence in the area, Craft Beer Base Bud is our pick here. They’ve been making their own beers now for a while, and I must admit, we’re overdue a visit to this place. Top notch beers on tap, with a decent selection of beers.
Link to Review : Craft Beer Base Bud (Umeda / Osaka)
