Instead of describing the winter in Wellington, I'm going to step into public-service mode and try to describe for English speakers where to go in Tokyo for a good pint. And not just any good pint, but a hand-picked selection of 20 or so craft beers that change on a weekly (daily?) frequency. They also have
Izakaya-style food if you're feeling a little peckish.
If not for a friend in Tokyo, I never would have found this place. Doing a search for good beer pubs in Tokyo is a bit of a painful task. Firstly, there's not many. Secondly, the address system is a two-dimensional code that
may make sense to locals--thankfully we have google satellite maps these days. Thirdly, most places don't have English websites, if they have a website at all. The only place that consistently appeared when I tried to find the beer bar (in retrospect) was one called Popeye's, and that was mentioned on english blogs. I've yet to go there.
The place I went to (Ushitora) never appeared at all. Until I narrowed the search down to the Shimokitazawa region. And even then it wasn't high in the search results. But then a website I did
find (
google translation). It seems to be the official page, even though it looks like a blog. My link takes you to the entry for when I was last there: July 3. The list is their ビールメニウ(beer menu) for that day. Not necessarily an informative list for most, but I'll explain the first one there: ストーンアロガントバスタードエール（アメリカ）. This says: "sutoun arogantou basutaado eeru (amerika)", which is actually
Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale (America). Same day, they also had one from
Rogue in Portland. As you can (maybe) see from the list, and the others if you look at the site, they have a healthy selection of quality micros. If you can get the guy behind the counter to understand your request (bee-tah ay-rew!), you won't be disappointed. For a reminder, here's the pictures from the first time I went:
1,
2.
The only thing left to do is explain how you might find it. This is the hard part, but this
map (or
this one) is a good start. But first, you need to find the shimokitazawa station. Either from Shinjuku or Shibuya will get you there -- the gray line west of the respective stations
here. Once at the station, leave from the south exit. You will reach a T when you leave the station gates, south is left. Once down the stairs, take the first left outside down the narrow street that runs parallel to the station/tracks. Take the first right. There should be a grocery store immdiately to your left on this road. Take the first left after this store down the narrow road. Straight ahead about 100m is a building, short and wide (2 floors maybe?) and there's outside entrances on both levels. Go up one level using the staircase on the right. Then about three or so doors down to the left will be your beer bar. Easy huh?
kanpai.
Update: This site has since been brought to my attention:
Beer in Tokyo.
