BeerTengoku
banner
beertengoku.com
BeerTengoku
@beertengoku.com
The biggest independent guide to Japanese craft beer, bars, and interviews.
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beertengoku
Pinned
A drunken shinkansen ticket purchase and a rough plan out together back at the start of September came to fruition on 22nd September 2025. A man and his trusty steed set off across the country.
www.patreon.com/posts/139591...
#craftbeerlover #craftbeer #beer #japanesebeer #craftbeerlovers
Shimanami Kaido : Day #1 | BeerTengoku
Get more from BeerTengoku on Patreon.
www.patreon.com
Marunouchi Happ.STORE is one of those places you go to, and can't quite put your finger on it - it's quirky nature belies a fantastic range of craft beers available to drink in, or takeaway. #craftbeer #beer
Marunouchi Happ.STORE (Chiyoda / Tokyo)
Marunouchi Happ.STORE : The Bottom Line Marunouchi Happ.STORE is, for want of a better word, a fun place to have some craft beers in. Its quirky nature of books, snacks, and beers, along with some random souvenirs, makes it one of the weirder places that I've drunk in; however, I will happily go back here again when I have to change at Tokyo station.
beertengoku.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Is it Japan's easiest to drink stout? I don't know - I haven't drunk enough to know that. However, Beer Again Kurochan is one of the better coffee stouts I've had in Japan - you'll enjoy it too with its milky, coconut flavour alongside a smooth coffee undertone. #craftbeer #beer
Beer Again Kurochan
Beer Again Kurochan : Background Beer Again Kurochan is a 5% coffee stout from Beer Again Brewing, based in Gotemba, Shizuoka. It's part of their bottled and draught lineup, though its availability is unknown at the time of writing. Beer Again Kurochan is brewed with Indonesian Mandheling coffee roasted by Pension Funwarikon and the idea behind the beer was to be "Japan's easiest drinking coffee stout" - a bold claim to make.
beertengoku.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Kankiku Brewery also make other beers outside of their Kujukuri Ocean range and this one - the Kankiku Inasaku Chuushin - is their take on a hazy rice saison. An interesting blend of New World hops and old world yeast. #craftbeer #beer
Kankiku Hazy Rice Saison
Beer : Background Kankiku Hazy Rice Saison, or to give it its full name of Kankiku Hazy Rice Saison Inasaku Chuushin, is a 4% saison from Kankiku Brewery, based in Kujukuri, Chiba. It's part of their canned and draught lineup, though its availability is unknown at the time of writing. It was originally brewed in November 2024, and is brewed using imported New Zealand Nelson Sauvin and also Nectaron hops.
beertengoku.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Imabari might be more famous for its towels than anything else, but it would be a disservice to ignore Imabari Machinaka Bakushu when you're in town. #craftbeer #beer
Imabari Machinaka Bakushu (Imabari / Ehime)
Imabari Machinaka Bakushu : The Bottom Line Imabari might be more famous for its towels than anything else, but it would be a disservice to ignore Imabari Machinaka Bakushu when you're in town. The beers were much better than expected, so much so that I ended up picking a couple of cans to drink back in Kanto. The atmosphere was lively and local, with some people bringing in some cans they had picked up in their travels to share with the bar staff.
beertengoku.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Mangosteen I Saw Five Blue Windows Between The Clouds is officially the longest name for a beer we've got on the site - and it's a complex tasting one to boot. Saison with rye and cardamon - interesting doens't come close to descriing it. #craftbeer #beer
Mangosteen I Saw Five Blue Windows Between The Clouds
Mangosteen I Saw Five Blue Windows Between The Clouds : Background Mangosteen I Saw Five Blue Windows Between The Clouds - and breathe out - is a 6.5% saison from Mangosteen Brewing Lab, based in Hokuto, Yamanashi. It's part of their canned and draught lineup, though its availability is unknown at the time of writing. The beer is brewed with rye malt and also contains cardamon.
beertengoku.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Looking for information about Hakuba Craft? We've got you covered with a list of some of their beers and where to buy them, along with details. Check it out here.
Hakuba Craft Information
Background Hakuba Craft is a craft brewery located in Hakuba, Nagano and has been in operation since 2022. At the time of writing, they were the first brewery to be located inside of a ski resort in Japan, with the brewpub Hakuba Beer Craft being situated at Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort. Beer Reviews The following are some of the beers we've had:
beertengoku.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Bar #2 : Amontillado
By law, every city in Japan must have an Irish pub and a British pub.
November 21, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Already found this place
Bar #1 : Mochi Beer Lab
Cash only
November 20, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Yeah, we're not in Kanto
November 20, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Take some coffee and add it to a light saison and you end up with Mangosteen Hug Juice 2025 - an interesting take on a solid style of beer. #craftbeer #beer
Mangosteen Hug Juice 2025
Mangosteen Hug Juice 2025 : Background Mangosteen Hug Juice 2025 is a 5% coffee saison from Mangosteen Brewing Lab, based in Hokuto, Yamanashi. It's part of their limited edition lineup, and is available in both cans and on draught. For the 2025 edition, the brewery used Guatemala Finca Roma - though I have no idea what they are in reality - however how the beans were used was unusual.
beertengoku.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Unluckily for me, when I went to Takao Beer Taproom, six of the taps of craft beer were out of action. I guess that means I have to come back again to give this a proper review. For the time being, this will have to do. #craftbeer #beer
Takao Beer Taproom (Takao / Tokyo)
Takao Beer Taproom : The Bottom Line Maybe I got to Takao Beer Taproom at the wrong time of day - there was barely any space to sit, and barely anything to drink on tap. But that's surely a good sign, isn't it? The shared space was full up drinkers having some lively conversation so I think I'll have to come back another time to really give this a fair write-up.
beertengoku.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Beer Again Tap Truck IPA doesn't so much as steam roll over your taste buds but gently rolls over them with lashings of tropical flavours, before adding a touch of piquant pepperiness to them. Go find it if you can. #craftbeer #beer
Beer Again Tap Truck IPA
Beer Again Tap Truck IPA : Background Beer Again Tap Truck IPA is a 6.5% New Zealand IPA from Beer Again Brewing, based in Gotemba, Shizuoka. The beer is part of their bottled and draught lineup, though its availability is unknown at the time of writing. Beer Again Tap Truck IPA is brewed with imported Citra, Motueka, Nelson Sauvin, and Riwaka hops from New Zealand.
beertengoku.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Heading over to Omishima for a quick stop into Omishima Brewery - the only brewery on the island. Housed in a renovated traditional Japanese house, the unique charm of it is visible both on the inside and the outside. #craftbeer #beer
Omishima Brewery (Omishima / Ehime)
Omishima Brewery : The Bottom Line There are no other craft beer breweries on the island, so it's not like you really have a choice if you want some craft beer. Though Omishima Brewery doesn't let you drink on site if you're cycling, it's still a lovely, little place to pick up some beers to takeaway back to the hotel. If you are staying in Omishima, then definitely get on down, though the narrow style of beers on tap might not be to the excitement of those looking for something new and hip.
beertengoku.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Nothing really rose up nor was golden from Mangosteen Arise the Golden Hour. Using Strata hops, I was hoping for something more from this beer. #craftbeer #beer
Mangosteen Arise the Golden Hour
Mangosteen Arise the Golden Hour : Background Mangosteen Arise the Golden Hour is a 6% Belgian IPA from Mangosteen Brewing Lab, based in Hokuto, Yamanashi. It's part of their colloborative lineup, with this beer having been brewed with Kakegawa Farm Brewing. At the time of writing, it's available in both cans and on draught, though for how long is unknown.
beertengoku.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Looking for information about Utsui Brewery, makers of Vacan Craft? We've got you covered with a list of their beers and where to get them from. Check it out here. #craftbeer #beer
Utsui Brewery Information
Background Utsui Brewery is a brewery located in the Utsui district of Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture and opened in June 2023. The brewery came about because there were no craft beer breweries and the area alongside the aim of providing employment support to people with disabilities in 2019, so the brewery was started with the aim of increasing the income of employees, creating a sense of fulfillment, and revitalizing the area.
beertengoku.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:00 AM
If you go down in the woods today, You're sure of a big surprise. If you go down in the woods today, You'd better go in disguise with Mangosteen Nakid Hiking - a solid example of a hoppy saison. #craftbeer #beer
Mangosteen Nakid Hiking
Mangosteen Nakid Hiking : Background Mangosteen Nakid Hiking is a 6% farmhouse ale from Mangosteen Brewing Lab, based in Hokuto, Yamanashi. It's part of their canned and draught lineup, though its availability is unknown at the time of writing. The hopping for this beer changes on a batch by batch process, with this edition using HBC 586 and Nelson Sauvin, so the can you may have in front of you could be different.
beertengoku.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Craft Beer Scissors and Kitchen Asakusa is a welcome addition to the growing list of craft beer bars in the Asakusa area - though be warned, it doesn't come cheap. With 15 taps though, there is something for everyone. #craftbeer #beer
Craft Beer Scissors and Kitchen Asakusa (Asakusa / Tokyo)
Craft Beer Scissors and Kitchen Asakusa : The Bottom Line Craft Beer Scissors and Kitchen Asakusa might be a bit pricey for some of our readers, but with the 15 beers on tap, there's plenty to choose from, with some cheaper beers as well on offer. Moreover, there's a decent selection of beers, so you're not just limited to hazy IPAs - thankfully.
beertengoku.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Another homage to old school West Coast IPAs is Beer Again Lefty Mikity - with Amarillo, Cascade, Columbus and Mosaic hops, it blends classic hops with modern to produce a wonderful beer that you should get out and try. #craftbeer #beer
Beer Again Lefty Mikity
Beer Again Lefty Mikity : Background Beer Again Lefty Mikity is a 6.5% West Coast IPA from Beer Again Brewing, based in Gotemba, Shizuoka. It's part of their bottled and draught lineup, though its availability is unknown at the time of writing. The beer is brewed using a combination of Amarillo, Cascade, Columbus and Mosaic hops.
beertengoku.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM
A great first effort from Mangosteen Brewing Labo with Mangosteen Suede Berry - a jam packed beer with organic blackberries; fruit of the gods. #craftbeer #beer
Mangosteen Suede Berry
Mangosteen Suede Berry : Background Mangosteen Suede Berry is an 8% fruited dark saison from Mangosteen Brewing Labo, based in Hokuto, Yamanashi. It's part of their canned and draught lineup, though its availability is unknown at the time of writing. This beer is brewed using locally grown organic blackberries and is a collaborative effort with Gasbon, who have been helping out Mangosteen Brewing Labo with can labelling.
beertengoku.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Weird question to be asking, but how should I be using this? Would you like live posting of what I'm drinking? 🤔
November 9, 2025 at 2:28 AM
West Coast Vienna Lager is a 5% Vienna lager from West Coast Brewing. It's part of their Logo series, where they showcase a style of beer that's popular with the brewers. This is brewed with Vienna malts and Saphir hops. It won't excite many but that's not what it's supposed to do. #craftbeer #beer
West Coast Vienna Lager
West Coast Vienna Lager : Background West Coast Vienna Lager is a 5% Vienna lager from West Coast Brewing, based in Mochimune, Shizuoka. It's part of their canned and draught lineup, though like so many other beers from West Coast Brewing, its availability is spotty to say the least. It's part of their "logo" series whereby "various recipes based on the ideas of brewers, especially on the theme of classic beer styles" are produced.
beertengoku.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Looking for information about Forest Brewing from Miyagi? We've got you covered with a list of some of their beers we've had and where to get them from. What's your excuse for not checking them out?
Forest Brewing Information
Background Forest Brewing is a brewery located in Kawasaki Town, Miyagi Prefecture. It is located upstream of Kamafusa Dam, the water reservoir of Sendai City, where meltwater from the Zao mountain range flows. Unlike many other breweries in Japan from the early days, instead of the manufacturing of nihonshu, they have their history in the printing business in Sendai for over 35 years, manufacture firewood for wood stoves, and import and sell Italian forestry winches.
beertengoku.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:00 AM
West Coast Dark Crispi Boi - a new style of beer for us here with it being a Czech amber lager. Using Slatek hops, and floor malted Bohemian malt, this is a light and crisp beer, with some interesting hoppy flavours going on.
#craftbeer #beer
West Coast Dark Crispi Boi
West Coast Dark Crispi Boi : Background West Coast Dark Crispi Boi is a 5% Czech amber lager from West Coast Brewing, based in Mochimune, Shizuoka. It's part of their canned and draught line-up, with it being released at irregular times throughout the year. It's brewed using imported Czech Slatek hops, as well as using floor malted Bohemian malts, and finally a traditional decoction mash is used to make this beer.
beertengoku.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:00 AM