Barley Wheat The Bottom Line If you’re in the area, then Barley Wheat is the best choice in the wilderness that is Kamata – just. It doesn’t differ much from the Barley Wheat Hamamatsucho branch, though personally I found the beer menu to be rather narrow in terms of variety of beer styles on tap – the IPA craze is still strong here. …
Fukuoka Kitchen in Matsumoto, Nagano
Fukuoka Kitchen The Bottom Line If it wasn’t for the table charge and lack of tax included in the price, then Fukuoka Kitchen would be the craft beer bar to go to in Matsumoto. Right now, it’s just a recommended place but don’t let that get you down too much. Fukuoka-san is a great host – even on a Monday night – …
Old Rock in Matsumoto, Nagano
Old Rock The Bottom Line If you’ve been to a British or Irish pub in Japan, then you’ve been to them all – Old Rock is no exception. It offers up that “traditional” pub experience of being in Britain or in Ireland – and a similar pub grub lineup too. Old Rock isn’t a bad place to sit and drink though that’s …
Matsumoto Brewery Taproom in Matsumoto, Nagano
Matsumoto Brewery Taproom The Bottom Line Matsumoto Brewery Taproom is a great little place in an area of Nagano that is deadly in need of some decent craft beer bars. The main downside to Matsumoto Brewery Taproom, at the time of writing, is the hours that the bar is open; however, if you take a walk around Matsumoto then it’s …
The Life by Marche Baton in Kashiwa, Chiba
The Life by Marche Baton The Bottom Line Kashiwa doesn’t offer up much in terms of craft beer, considering the population in the area, but The Life by Marche Baton brings something much needed to the area. While it is not the cheapest bar we’ve come across, the fact of the matter is that there is very little competition in the …
Gastropub Gozo in Shimo-Kitazawa, Tokyo
Gastropub Gozo The Bottom Line If you like Hitachino Nest Beer or hamburgers with lots of melted cheese on top, then Gastropub Gozo is the place for you. Else, give it a wide berth to be honest. While the atmosphere is great at Gastropub Gozo – very chilled and relaxed – the smoking policy lets the bar down as well as the …
Gora Brewery & Grill in Hakone, Kanagawa
Gora Brewery & Grill The Bottom Line Perhaps Gora Brewery & Grill should be renamed Gora Grill & Brewery because I’m sure the grilled food is miles better than the beer produced. The setting for Gora Brewery & Grill is second to none – beautiful views over the valley, Japanese zen garden, a foot bath for you to rest your weary feet. But …
Bayern Meister Beer in Fujinomiya, Yamanashi
Bayern Meister Beer The Bottom Line Bayern Meister Beer suffers from the same fate as Sylvans Restaurant – they have some cracking beers on tap but you have to be willing to drive to get there or be with someone that doesn’t mind driving. The beers are really good representations of the styles they are supposed to be and are …
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Sylvans Restaurant in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi
Sylvans Restaurant The Bottom Line Let’s get the negative out of the way first – Sylvans Restaurant is a pain to get to. However, it’s worth the effort if you do make it out there. The beers are world class fresh, cheap, and the outside gardens make you want to stay for much longer. While we did go the anniversary on …
Swan Lake Pub Edo Roppongi in Roppongi, Tokyo
Swan Lake Pub Edo Roppongi The Bottom Line I so wanted to like Swan Lake Pub Edo Roppongi but I left feeling cold and done over. Having visited two of their other branches in Tokyo – the Kyobashi branch and also the Tamachi branch – this one just pales in comparison. The beers are some of the most expensive in the area and the dreaded …