Microbrews in Japan only got started in 1994, after strict alcohol production laws relaxed. Since then, microbreweries came and went, as their higher prices and unfamiliar qualities couldn’t compete with the big names such as Suntory, Kirin, Sapporo, etc.
The saving grace has been restaurants and bars who promote these smaller beer companies. One such brewpub that carries Japan’s most unique and diverse beers is Craft Beer Market, with multiple locations around Tokyo’s business districts.
Craft Beer Market thrives on a simple concept – good beer and good food. The 30 beers on tap include made-in-Japan weizens, IPAs, seasonal beers, stouts, and even barley wine. My palette was so excited to taste beers that were not lagers!
Conveniently, all beers in this brewpub are 480 yen for a glass or 780 yen for a pint. The food menu includes cheese platters, sausages, bruschetta, pizza, fries, and even lamb. I ate here with 10 people, so I got to try many items on the menu, and I have to say I enjoyed them all.
The food here elevates the meaning of “pub food”; just like the beers, the dishes are thoughtfully crafted. My favorite dish, though, was the mushroom and Nori pizza – thin, crispy crust with tomato sauce, generous amounts of Japanese mushrooms, shredded dried seaweed, and perfectly melted cheese.
English menus are available, and the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. However, with the lively atmosphere, some Japanese may be needed to ease ordering and prevent any miscommunication.
You will notice that many of the patrons are (hip) businessmen who are unwinding at the end of the work day. Craft Beer Market caters to the business district, and therefore most locations are closed on weekends and holidays (see Access below).
Still, this place is worth making plans for during the week. The price, food and drink quality, atmosphere are all everything you would want from a brewpub. DO make reservations, though, as craft beer is now all the hype in Tokyo.
I hope you enjoy Craft Beer Market as much as I did. Kanpai to Japan’s Kurafuto Biiru!
Access:
Website: www.craftbeermarket.jp [Japanese]
Craft Beer Market Jinbocho
Address: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Kanda Jinbo-cho 2-11-15 Jinbocho Sumitomo Building 1F
TEL: 03-6272-5652
Hours: Monday to Friday 11:30 to 14:00 Lunch / Dinner 17:00 to 23:30
Saturday Dinner 17:00 to 23:30
Closed Sundays and Holidays
Craft Beer Market Toranomon
Address: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Nishi-Shinbashi 1-23-3 SA Grace 1F
TEL: 03-6206-1603
Hours: Monday to Friday 11:30 to 14:00 Lunch / Dinner 17:00 to 23:30
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
Craft Beer Market Awaji-cho
Address: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Kandatsukasa cho 2-9-1 first Takada Building 1F
TEL: 03-5577-3046
Hours: Monday to Friday 11:30 to 14:00 Lunch / Dinner 17:00 to 23:30
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
Craft Beer Market Mitsukoshimae
Address: Chuo-ku, Tokyo Nihonbashi Muromachi Muromachi 1-5-5 COREDO 3 1F
TEL: 03-6262-3145
Hours: Mon-Fri: Lunch 11:00 to 14:00 / Dinner 17:00 to 23:30
Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays: Lunch 11:00 to 15:00 / 15:00 to 17:00 Cafe / Dinner 17:00 to 23:30
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Thanks for the article. Just one quibble: ”brewpub” usually means a pub which brews its own beer on the premises, which CBM does not. And I think they have now (March 2015) added another location in Koenji.
It’s not a brew pub.
Glad you enjoyed the beers. Hope you get the chance to hit up more craft beer bars.