Craft Beer in Japan

If you thought Japanese beer meant Asahi, Kirin and Sapporo, think again. In this episode of Al-kee-hol, Yuka Uchida explores the booming business of craft beer in Tokyo. From passion fruit-infused lagers at an urban brewery to unfiltered hand-pumped black ales to microbrews served in a refurbished shipping container, Yuka and her pal Ogi sample enough beer to sink the Japanese Navy.
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[@faizalahmed5035]

I love how knowledgeable each owner was and how passionate they were while explaining each beer! I'd love to see more of this

[@romoalex]

They have to be

[@zeitgeistx5239]

Vice Asia recycled a 4 year old clip.

[@Melchor1990]

You don't pour beer with a head

[@romoalex]

@@Melchor1990 beer with head has been poured for over 1000 years. It’s the dog shit piss beer that smells like rancid wet socks if it has head since it’s made with poor quality ingredients

[@danduarte071]

you have to know what's in your products, one thing that stood out was how they served the glasses. you should never put your hands where a customers mouth might be so always hold the glass by the bottom, takes a bit of getting used to but it's something that i teach all my staff

[@Nathan_Warnick]

"Smells like weed" LOL Well... Hops is a cousin of Cannabis so he wasn't wrong.

[@modelcitizen7065]

Litrally came here for this comment ✌🤩

[@user-hw9wv4og2h]

A common tasting note is "Dank"

[@johnsmith-so5do]

Wow, learn something new every day

[@DrinksWithMandy]

haha terpenes create the flavor in both!!

[@michaeldeng1981]

hmm...sweet

[@Mah_Boiiii]

I LOVE everything about this video! Such a cool concept, great edits, awesome commentation, really interesting topic. Legitimately one of my favorites I've watched :D

[@wizirbyman]

i need more of these two haha

[@williammarcus5090]

I loved the difference between Yuka and Ryuichi. Yuka is so upbeat and tones of energy where Ryuichi is very chill. Well done guys. Thank you.

[@kilienodonnell5111]

I wanna go now, the craft beer scene in Japan looks amazing

[@kevincampbell5785]

Love this. I am glad Craft Beer is booming in Japan!

[@connormcsweeney9489]

This gives me an overwhelming sense of joy

[@Jordan-inJapan]

Fun video. It made me a bit nostalgic for the carefree time when it was okay to hang out in crowded places like that and socialize. (without wearing a mask!) On the positive side, though, the craft beer scene in Japan has progressed significantly since this video was made. Tokyo is still leading, but Osaka, Nagoya and even Shizuoka are pretty good too. Even in rural areas, you can find some fantastic breweries these days...you just have to do a little research before you head out. If anyone wants a recommendation or info on the scene in central or western Japan, feel free to ask me. Kp! 🍻

[@DoctorEbot]

So let’s have some recommendations, then. (I’m hoping to be in Kansai next spring.)

[@Jordan-inJapan]

Doctor Ebot Well, for Osaka, Minoh brewery - or one of the several establishments that serve their delicious beer. Kyoto also has some great brew pubs: Kyoto brewing, Spring Valley, Kyoto Beer Lab...(More info upon request) OR watch my Epic Kansai Day Trip videos for inspiration! 🍻 kzbin.info/aero/PLoaHpzEK4ZUTsAx4-53YSkyaB-ghjp9vX

[@cluster027]

what are your top 10 craft beer bars in tokyo?

[@michaelmoraga2926]

@@Jordan-inJapan Yes, I miss Kyoto beer culture... in the "Before Times"

[@michaelmoraga2926]

I miss the "Before Times" as well... and Kyoto beer culture! Greetings from Month 9 of Isolation in Kobe.

[@orionanderson6719]

Thank you for the content and happy holidays

[@barrycohen311]

I live in Orlando, Florida and a few upscale Japanese restaurants here serve Japanese craft beers. They are awesome. I tried 3-4 different types.

[@cskwishy]

Oh!! Where??

[@barrycohen311]

@@cskwishy There is one at the Disney Swan Hotel - "Kimonos." The other is in Dr. Phillips- Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi

[@poisonfists]

Was in Japan in January and am always on the hunt for tasty beers. Was able to hit Far Yeast which was pretty great and got a personal tour at Hitachino which was great. Also stumbled upon Ja Beer Hida Black Beer and was really impressed. Also for those who love booze, don't sleep on Japan's craft cocktail scene, they're shacking and stirring some great things.

[@BitterRealityBrewing]

Great job. Love beer and you two were awesomely entertaining!

[@mattmeyers8167]

Wow! I've always wanted to go to Belgium for amazing, traditional beers, but Japan may have just taken the top of my to-visit places. Beer, whisky, amazing food and amazing people. Love it!!

[@pebre79]

Awesome.i hope you spaced your sessions over different days. Looked really fun!

[@Jordan-inJapan]

Just a clarification of terms. “JI-beer” (地ビール) generally means beer that is produced at resort areas, to sell alongside local sweets and rice crackers, etc. “Craft beer” (クラフトビール) is well, what it sounds like. That said, older people, or those in rural areas where craft beer culture hasn’t developed yet probably only know the former term.

[@CriptoPoeta]

funny how their english improved with a couple beers on top

[@ajinkyaholkar7282]

It's vice versa for Indians.

[@AvianSavara]

Rounding off those corner is definitely the path to better English :P

[@caleblorcan1481]

Haha yeahhh, I always think I speak other languages more confidently when i drink, then I speak it considerably worse when I’m wasted 🙃

[@thattannerguy856]

As a craft beer lover from Colorado, I freaking love this video! I want to go to Japan and brew hop!!

[@19-1-91]

Great vid, what a gee up coming into the new year

[@aaronm8143]

“I’m really drunk” cracked me up for some reason.

[@runstrong9559]

That high five was epic. So much glass ware, so close.

[@joelcate690]

Watching this while drinking beer is amazing haha

[@mattiasmengoni]

There's an error in the subtitle of the Watering Hole. It says Sendagaya-ku, but Sendagaya-ku doesn't exist. It's actually Shibuya-ku, in the Sendagaya neighborhood.

[@DushyantShrikhande]

Wait, this is a reupload from an old web series Vice used to do. This is from 6 years ago kzbin.info/www/bejne/jH6nfp55aa92q9E

[@Jordan-inJapan]

I was thinking the same thing. The scene has already moved way past this point!

[@DushyantShrikhande]

@@Jordan-inJapan I'm sure it has! I'd love to read/watch something that covers more of the latest happenings.

[@Jordan-inJapan]

@@DushyantShrikhande Well, I’ve actually been making some videos on that topic. Nothing that goes too deep yet, but you can get a feel for what’s here. Why don’t you check out... kzbin.info/aero/PLoaHpzEK4ZUTsAx4-53YSkyaB-ghjp9vX

[@DrinksWithMandy]

I noticed the same thing!

[@El_oh7199]

This is why they're not wearing masks!

[@lukaswint7067]

Lol good video, nice to see them learning how cask beer is made and stored

[@Pacrimjin]

Brimmer Beer Box has been closed for about 3 years I think. Also tons of places now that specialise in locally brewed beer.

[@bennywalker1020]

Underrated video

[@graemehirstwood670]

I would love to teach them how to pour cask ale. It is an art form in itself.

[@gregorymarrone3666]

The resurgence in craft beer here in the United States of America started in the early 1980's when there was a America's Cup race in Australia 🦘🦘🦘🦘!! A few San Diego Californians saw craft beer and thought it should come back to America..from there the craft beer resurgence started!! And the United States Exports beer to Europe Asia and many other places around the world 🌎🌍🌎🌍🌎🌍!!!

[@adamd416]

Craft beer will hopefully catch on in japan! I’d love to see what the next generation does with it!

[@alexanderleach3365]

Fun facts about Japanese Beer. Makes want to take a trip to Japan and tryout some Japanese lagers.

[@differentxminds9907]

"DADDD WHERE IS GOOD BEEEERR?" I love this guy.

[@kylerclarke2689]

I love the female host's enthusiasm to drink. Not too academic, just a lot of fun between the two of them. Great stuff, Vice

[@jaska-jalmarixvi5757]

Would like to see follow ups to this short documentary

[@paulgraham5527]

This looks like fun!

[@jeffm6100]

Wish you guys would have checked out the scene in Kyoto!

[@nichraygun28]

These two get hammered. They must have taken this over a few days. No way did they do all these bars in the same day.

[@eugeneshport]

old but gold

[@desmond2tone439]

That wasn’t Ushitora. Ushitora was the bar next door. The bar you were at is Kaze no Mari. I would think Nakano-san would not be too happy about that.

[@Ohsnapski]

I’d love to open up a brewery in an emerging market such as this one

[@jeffreyinkorea6190]

It would be nice if you added each bars website to the destination.

[@ryanbonner25]

yuka, u're great, if you come to scotland, ill show u around the beer and whisky scene!

[@DanABA]

Awesome!

[@sng1867]

I’ve been trying to source (if it even exists) Kyoto craft beer here in Vancouver, but no luck.

[@Baedda666]

So I am going to need to visit Japan soon 👌

[@chansaicommerce1721]

AWESOME !!!!!

[@devlinthornicroft9975]

The big guys - Asahi, Kirin, Suntory etc. are so powerful in Japan that I cannot ever imagine craft beer making it further mainstream, e.g. being sold in convenient stores and big supermarkets. In my mind I picture it such that if ever they tried the big guys would tell 7 Eleven and co to stop it or we either stop selling to you or increase the wholesale price. I think Japanese people, the younger (20-45) crowd in particular are embracing craft beer and want something different. The problem is you need to really travel to get the stuff and/or pay a hefty premium, unlike here in the UK where all supermarkets sell crafties, damn fine ones too (thanks Tesco!) at relatively cheap prices. When I have had Japanese craft beer it has been good but not great. Generally they have been a bit weak and light compared to their western counterparts. Like they’re afraid to push the boat out. Never had a full on murky, dank, hopped to high heaven IPA yet or a really tasty wheat beer. Though I stand to be corrected as I’ve obviously never tried every beer. The home brew scene is also practically non-existent which may have something to do with the still conservative law on brewing, which is a shame as it’s a lot of fun and gives you a real appreciation of the craft, so to speak. And the reason why hops smell like weed is because they’re from the same family.

[@ramrunsfast]

Just like the UK scene started to drastically in the last 5+ years so will the Japanese beer scene. When I went to the UK to do my brewing apprenticeship in England I noticed that the British breweries were starting to adopt American styles of beers and using American hops in the process. Fast forward to today and I'm seeing friends I got a chance to learn to brew from out there producing not only Hazy IPAs but beers with other ingredients beyond the traditional malt ,hops, water, and yeast. I'm sure we will continue to see the global beer market change from mass produced lagers to more diverse offerings.

[@AndrewLynch9]

LOL that was a cracking pub crawl!

[@dedmaninc3853]

Japan needs to come to the pacific north west and enjoy our craftbeers and breweries

[@Gilgogagogoch]

Wish I could spend a day in Tokyo with these two…. 🎉

[@demonnarruto]

Is this a re-upload of on old Al-Kee hol video?

[@aaarrrggghhhh]

Real Ale was a term first used by an organisation in the UK, called Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in 1971. They started up because they wanted to ensure that beer production was not taken over by big breweries. This happened in Belgium where they have lots of brands but only a handful of breweries. They also ensured the ingredients were always of the highest quality. CAMRA is still going strong as are the independent breweries in the UK. There are more independent breweries in the UK than in Belgium.

[@user-tn4wy9gc7w]

This video seems to be a few years old. At the Watering Hole,more than half of the beer is from overseas(US)

[@ronaldt3422]

Yeah, I thought I've seen this episode few years back

[@teosoderholm96]

its reuploaded from 5 years ago

[@vicjames3256]

While Golden Gai was my fav area to drink, I got to try a beer at Brimmer Box, and it was dope. Great flavor, good vibes. And I tried Hitachino first in the Philippines and I'm so glad it's made its way to the states. Wish it was available more places.

[@ww3032]

Golden gai is pretty touristy these days, and frankly a little intimidating because you could feel the locals are kinda pissed about rowdy drunk backpackers. I know I would be if I were one of the locals there. Getting rejected by Japanese only bars is no fun. Ebisu, I feel, was a lot more enjoyable and local.

[@vicjames3256]

@@ww3032 That's a shame. Went in 2016 and had a blast. At least back then, the signs let you know which ones were Gaijin-friendly, and it was great meeting with the bar owners and a diverse cast of strangers. Will try Ebisu next time I'm there - thanks for the recommendation!

[@LottoLogista]

@@vicjames3256 Ebisu is very gaijin-friendly without the touristy feel. They have great izakaya and tapas bars.

[@ChrisJones-yd9zd]

Cheers from a Craft Brewery owner in Georgia, USA. Georgia Beer Co.

[@devinmekeletiongco-martone1194]

Chris, Thank You! Two thumbs up for your entrepreneurship and employment you bring to the American people. I living in Atlanta for 5 years now, will Absolutely seek your brews out either through retail sales or your brick and mortar in Valdosta. Had to google your brewery..😅 Do you distribute to North Georgia?

[@ChrisJones-yd9zd]

@@devinmekeletiongco-martone1194 we do, we should be in your local Publix. You can always ask your local package store to carry us. We use Savannah Distributing.

[@PLA69]

Fun job! Where do I apply?

[@bobcharlotte8724]

Kobo is so yummy... love that place!

[@cscjb]

1:50 Lol, the disbelief when he said that.

[@jadizm]

I don't speak Japanese but even I can hear the slurring. LOL!

[@dannypugh1621]

What i wouldn't give to go on a pub crawl like this right now !

[@kanethompson708]

🍺

[@ppha7665]

Re-release? I'll watch anyway

[@cogeek797]

The copyright said 2014. Wonder how much has changed and hopefully grown in terms of craft beer in Japan. Sláinte!

[@robbyburnpipe7840]

Seeing those to chugging all the best beer in Japan really make me thirsty. Really really thirsty right now

[@palmsky1119]

I think trying those beers with different flavor might change my mind about beer. I don't like the taste of beer but if they've managed to give it some flavor then it should be good.

[@PXLJCE23]

I feel like I learned zero about the craft beer scene in Japan from this video. Still, looks like they had fun. :D

[@elmoreoocyte]

Avondale Brewing "Trunks Up" sticker in the background at the Watering Hole!

[@bobsrx792]

Need to do Osaka. It's literally the micro brew capital in Japan.

[@alexk3670]

Problem with the beer scene is that you see the same type of people and the same type of beers regardless of where you go in the world nowadays. I always think I’m going to see or experience something different and it’s always familiar regardless of where you are. Food truck parks are like that too. I tracked one down in Kyoto and was disappointed. It was definitely not a place where locals go.

[@IsthisMike]

This was a great episode but it is missing one thing... the legendary Ty Demura.

[@BeJahnHobbies]

Super wild to see New Glarus Spotted Cow on tap. Grew up in WI and the brewery won’t sell out of the state in the U.S. so I can’t believe they can source it to Japan. The world of beer is so cool.

[@thattannerguy856]

Dude I thought the same thing when I saw left hand and great divide glasses on the bar top. Both are from Colorado and I thought it was so cool that they have a reach that far!

[@BeJahnHobbies]

@@thattannerguy856 Love it. For me it was the Lakefront Brewery sticker that caught me eye which is another WI brand. Also I’m personally a huge Left Hand Nitro Stout fan

[@rossedwardmiller]

I’ve been working in the beer biz in the US for the past 10 years. I really don’t care for the culture around it anymore - hazy ipa, fruited sour, and adjunct stout are the only styles ppl get excited about. Always love to learn more about classic beer cultures like those in Europe. Very interesting and refreshing to see some Asian beer culture.

[@rocker00000]

Do you only drink pilsners or do you sometimes get crazy with a brown ale or maybe a pale?

[@rossedwardmiller]

@@rocker00000 I will always love lagers in general and yes, especially pils, but my favorite style is American pale ale - from classics like Sierra and Dales to newer hits like Duckpin, Zombie Dust, Daisy Cutter, or Portland Pale. In general I like all the classic malt driven styles with the boring, but dependable porter being my favorite. I sell Great Lakes so I have Fitz available to me all the time which is great. I like most ipa variants including some of the hazy stuff but a lot of it is so over hyped and over priced I can’t get behind it. Fruited sours make me sick (too much acid) and adjunct stouts usually give me a ripper hangover (too much sugar). I’ve saved a ton of money not getting into styles that end up in $20-$30 4pks and working for a distributor 🤑

[@lizmendez2234]

Hops and weed are in the same plant family. They are related and can smell similar!

[@ww3032]

Great video. Love watching the passion of the bartenders. Glad to see it's not mostly over hopped west coast style ipa. Craft beer bars at where I'm from has 90% ipa variants, with a few stouts mixed in and if you're lucky you might get just 1 wheat beer. Was initially judging about the lack of head in the beers of one of the bars, until they explained that they purposely removed the carbon dioxide. Glad to be wrong. Would love to try that. And a personal pet peeve, I just can't stand how the tap gets into contact with the beer.

[@UIMGodzilla]

curious to know where you're from, here in the UK i'd say only 20%-30% are IPAs(west,east,session), the rest are pale ales, porters, amber ales, stouts.

[@ww3032]

@@UIMGodzilla Singapore. Most of the craft beer we have are imported. We're a little behind by international standards. I'm also somewhat biased against IPAs, favouring more of classic European (Czech, German and Belgian) styles of beer myself.

[@UIMGodzilla]

@@ww3032 I'm hoping to go to Belgium in 2021 to a beer festival, they make great beer

[@TheMrFabian1]

So I had to watch this to find out about "Dortmunder" style, despite having grown up in the area. Life is weird sometimes.

[@estherp4867]

That CO2 removed beer sounds pretty interesting! We have amazing beers in the SF Bay Area, but these ones seem totally out of our IPA wheelhouses. Now something else to look forward to when I can visit Japan. Although I don't have the stomach anymore for as many varieties of beer in one day as these two seemed to have. :)

[@addeside]

Among the best interpreters of every beer style. The only thing they wrong is how to spill, they don't make foam hat... but this way they give more beer than everyone else...😁 I'll be back to make a lot of kanpai with you, and make you laugh screaming "Cin Cin!''...😂😂😂

[@hiroshi138]

If you get 10 meters outside of Japan's big cities good luck finding anything but Asahi and Kirin. Secondly...these two party 😂

[@ThaiGoalie]

Hey man I swear Konbis have some pretty wild beers. I found a bonito flake beer at a Lawson in Aomori prefecture one time haha 😅

[@tazmankb26]

If I wanted to visit Japan primarily to see Japanese gardens and when the colors of the Japanese maples are the best but still wanted to be close enough to a large city to enjoy the craft beer scene where would you recommend?

[@apugalypse_now]

@@ThaiGoalie Holy fuck. That sounds awesome. Like Japan's version of a prairie oyster stout.

[@The-Cobra-Kai]

They sure got friendly :)

[@anthonydolan3740]

I've been to The Watering Hole.

[@captmants2093]

Becoming highly interested in craft beer this was such a fun watch!

[@Zojirushi.2.16]

I like Asahi!

[@nix007100]

You guys need to check out craft beer in india. Specifically PUNE AND MUMBAI.

[@beercultureusa3171]

This was a good episode! What is weird is...at The Watering Hole, they show a bunch of tap handles and one of the tap handles is Spotted Cow from New Glarus brewing co. New Glarus does NOT distribute out of Wisconsin. So what's up? Is the tap handle for show? Are they pouring something else from that tap handle? Any and all help is appreciated!!!

[@a_perfect_human_being]

After I watched the first release of this video years ago, I started following Watering Hole on social media and other craft bars in Tokyo. They get their hands on other obscure shit that barely sees the light of day in the states. It’s sounds like a “they know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy” networking thing going on. They obviously didn’t get it from New Glarus themselves or any distributor they may work with.

[@caturdaynite7217]

Some bars in Mn got in some trouble for serving it, so how did spotted cow end up in Japan? I like "a guy who knows a guy" theory. Or it's a knock off. If I were there I would try just to see what the heck it was.

[@TheDumbassstunts]

Looks like bummer beer box went out if business

[@3sgtepwnzr]

They were great but we need Ty Demura in this ménage à trois.

[@aminettay]

you are so right haha

[@tylergarb]

Craft Beer Market in Kanda is a great restaurant to get some food and try some beer!

[@iseefor]

is this a reupload? I remember watching this ages ago

[@Rohan-cr5np]

Yeah it is! It was on the Munchies Channel. Really loved their videos back then.

[@dcozy]

Brimmer is still brewing, but the beer box closed a long time ago.

[@iseefor]

@@dcozy thats what i was thinking. i remember looking for beer box when I lived there a few years ago and never found it

[@japancraftbeerchannel382]

Check us out for more information about Craft Beer in Japan. English subtitles on all of our videos, Cheers!

[@dirtcreature3d]

Why did you guys re upload this? This vid is like a few years old

[@stefanforde2305]

If your ever in Kyushu(Oita) try this local drop www.monkeybeer.co.jp/

[@Old299dfk]

I feel like I just watched the perfect first date.

[@chansaicommerce1721]

AMAZING ++++++++++++++++++++

[@supyo2123]

I want some craft beer from Japan.😛

[@shivabasnet7933]

I like japanes 🍺 beer . Iam from Nepal 🇳🇵

[@johnpierce6383]

I love how excited she is to get drunk haha

[@haydenhollenbaugh3958]

Don't let the owner of New Glarus know they have spotted cow on tap lol

[@crietzsche]

That tap handle was the first thing I noticed behind their bar, and I thought, how the hell did they get that? 😂

[@aslinurkalenderoglu1131]

❤❤

[@se7ensavage707]

Definitely keen to see how Japanese craft beer evolves!

[@RicardoTroutman]

Arigatōgozaimashita!

[@jacekkwiatkowski5370]

Hello from Poland😁

[@kanethompson708]

😁👋

[@eliasplattner8270]

This guy instant smelt those weed buds