I revisited last night in Shinjuku. I went to the Isetan Craft Beer Bar located in a corner of the liquor section at Isetan. They offer a variety of craft beers that change weekly. This was my second visit, and this time they were serving beers from Isana Brewing in Akishima. The head brewer, Mr. Chida, served us directly. We enjoyed three types of beer: Japan IPA, Classic Pale Ale, and Udon Dashi Ale. The Japan IPA had a gentle taste with Japanese rice malt. The Classic Pale Ale had a gentle maltiness with a subtle sweetness. The Udon Dashi Ale was complex, made by steeping dashi stock in water for a day and then adding Belgian yeast. It might be a taste that Japanese people like. The pairing with Japanese food was also good. It was delicious. Cheers!

Friday evening in July 2023, second stop at ISETAN CRAFT BEER BAR. They have a corner in the alcohol section where you can enjoy craft beer on tap. Today's lineup includes RIO BREWING. First up is the Ippai Tokyo Hazy Horizon Tropical, juicy and delicious. Next is the Utopia Style, a Belgian White with a hint of spiciness. Lastly, the Enroots DDH Session IPA, light-bodied and easy to drink. All very tasty. Cheers!

Craft beer bar with standing-only 6 seats in the basement of Isetan Shinjuku. Each person can use the bar for 30 minutes and enjoy up to 3 beers. The craft beer selection changes weekly from various regions. This time, we tried beers from Hop Kotan Brewery in Kamifurano, Hokkaido. We had Hashikabu (¥825) and Beer Kotan IPA (¥770). Hashikabu is a colorful fruit ale made with Hokkaido's signature haskap berries, offering a refreshing taste. Beer Kotan IPA has a punchy bitterness from high-quality hops, which is quite enjoyable. It's fun to try different craft beers every week. Bon appétit!

In February 2023, a beer bar was created by renovating part of the Sui no Za Washu sake brewery. Previously, a different sake brewery was featured weekly in the same location, offering paid tastings. Now, it's a beer version where you can try different beers with a limit of 30 minutes stay and 3 beers per person. Every Wednesday for a week, various breweries and importers bring in beers for customers to enjoy. I go there often, and one standout is the fruit ale made with haskap by Kokutandan Brewery, which has a unique flavor different from American fruit ales, showcasing the high level of craft beer expertise in Japan. During Golden Week, they held an event featuring four Sapporo beers to explore how pouring affects the taste, which was both fun and educational, especially for beer beginners. If you're interested in beer but feel intimidated by craft beer, this beer bar is a must-visit.