Beering around the Christmas Tree (at Cat & Cask)

‘Tis the season to be jolly, la la la….

Pangaea in Senzoku with have its “Annual Roast Turkey” Christmas event on Dec 20th. From 4pm to 8pm, 5000 yen gets you roast turkey and all you can drink. There’s also a raffle – I think you get one free raffle ticket and a second ticket if you also donate a prize, but the Japanese isn’t entirely clear. Good place for craft beer is Pangaea – on Friday and Saturday nights they have a 3 hour all you can drink deal for 3000 yen. They will also have events on 30th and 31st Dec – details to be announced on the Pangaea website. Pangaea is a few stops from Meguro on the Meguro line (which joins the end of the Namboku line). BIJ listing here.

Cheers in Yokohama will also have an event on Dec 20th, 2-6pm. 6000yen in advance, 6500 yen on the day. All you can eat and drink, and a yodelling performance (!) I’ve been to Cheers though I’ve not written a review yet for BIJ (I was there at the end of a pub crawl!) Visit Cheers website for location, contact details, etc.

Cat and Cask in Kanamecho will be serving roast turkey and Christmas pud on 24th, 25th, 26th of Decemeber. Details to be posted on their website nearer the time. Cat and Cask is a great little homely pub run by Wayne and Yuko serving Japanese craft beers. Yuko makes good food so I’m hoping to get to C&C myself and try the turkey. Kanamecho is on the Fukutoshin and Yurakucho lines making it just a short train journey from Shibuya, Ikebukuro, or Iidabashi. BIJ listing here.

Ushi Tora in Shimokitazawa will have a “finish all the beers” event on Dec 27th (new bar) and 29th (original bar), their last opening day of the year. Like C&C, Ushi Tora is one of my favourite bars in Tokyo. Beers will be at discounted prices to say thanks to customers who have visited the bar throughout the year and to make sure all the beers go! Beers and prices still to be announced but from previous experience, I’m expecting about 500 yen for a half pint – check the Ushi Tora website nearer the time. Ushi Tora’s events are always fun and full of local beer loving Japanese so it’s worth making your way to Shimokitazawa for this (it’s just a few stops from Shibuya on the Keio-Inokashira line) . BIJ listing here.

Gambrinus in Kokubunji will also have a “finish all the beers” event on Dec 29th. Price of beers depends on the number of taps left: 13 to 10 taps – normal price; 9 taps – 50 yen discount; 8 taps – 100 yen discount; 7 taps – 150 yen discount; and so on down to a 450 yen discount when there’s one tap left. Kokubunji is a bit out the way and I have to confess I have not been to Gambrinus yet, but I have heard good things about the bar. This may be my first trip! “Drink Up The Gumbrinus! 2009″ (that’s the way they write it) details on their website here. Kokubunji is 21 minutes from Shinjuku on the Chuo line – not that far for a good event, right?

Delirium in Toranomon will have a year end event on Dec 29th. 5000 yen for buffet and all you can drink until the beers run out. Limited to 50 people, booking on 03-3501-3181 is essential. Website here.

Beer Rock in Shimokitazawa will have a “Rock in Casino” event on Dec 30th. Chips are 500 yen for $50. The price of a pint reduces in price every hour from 11pm by 100 yen per hour until all the beer runs out – ie, 100 yen discount from 11pm, 200 yen discount from 12, 300 yen discount from 1, etc. Normal pint price is around 1000 yen. The bar is also open every Sunday in December (usually it is closed on Sundays). BIJ listing here.

The infamous The Aldgate will have a 31st Countdown Party with 200 yen off all drinks after midnight, free food, a raffle, and most likely some special beers for the night. Is there anyone who doesn’t know The Aldgate? The events are always packed and lively. BIJ listing here.

Maltan turns 2

Maltan’s 2nd Anniversary, Kanda: Sunday December 6th

Will be very crowded, but also very unique: 4pm until 8pm, or whenever the beer runs out. Bring your own food, bring your own glass (or use the plastic glasses provided), and serve your own beer. Cost: 3,600 yen.

• Hakusekikan Super Vintage, 14.3% 10ltrs.
• Hakusekikan Hurricane, 15%, 10ltrs.
• Nagahama Ale, 5%, 10ltrs.
• Iwatekura Oyster Stout(Real Ale), 6%, 15ltrs.
• Minoh WIPA 9%, 10ltrs.
• Loco Kolsche 5%, 10ltrs.
• Yona Yona Cask, 5.5%, 25ltrs.
• Ginga Kogen Weissen 5%, 10ltrs.
• Southern Tier Imperial IPA 11%, 20ltrs.
• Shiroyama Cassis Ale 6%, 10ltrs.
• Shiroyama Komikan White 5.5%, 10ltrs.
• Daisen G Gold 6%, 15ltrs.

Find out more about Maltan in BIJ’s listing here.

Nagano Trading's Bonen-Kai flyer

December to Remember Bonen-kai , Ginza: Saturday December 12th

Nagano Trading, Salon de G, and Sugaya Beer come together for a “December to Remember” end of year bash at Salon de G. From 2:30pm to 5:30pm, the price of 5000 yen includes an American pint glass, all you can drink, and a variety of foods. Beer is, of course, all imported by Nagano Trading. Reservation is required in advance: all at naganotrading.com

• Ballast Point Brewing Co., San Diego CA / Fathom IPL (hoppy Lager)
• Stone Brewing Co., Escondido CA / Arrogant Bastard Ale
• Maui Brewing Co., Maui Hawaii / Big Swell IPA
• Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, San Francisco CA / Big Daddy IPA
• Great Divide, Denver CO / 15th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA
• Bear Republic Brewing Co., Healdsburg CA / Black Mamba Wit Beer
• Coronado Brewing Co. San Diego CA / Point Loma Porter
• Green Flash Brewing Co. Vista CA / 30th Street Pale Ale
• Southern Tier Brewing, Lakewood NY, MOKAH Imperial Chocolate & Coffee Stout

The Cat and Cask is 1 this weekend

Until now I haven’t posted event details on BIJ, but there are so many good events on this weekend I thought I’d better help get the word out. If you’re a Japanese craft beer lover, you’ll find it difficult to be sober this weekend!

November 28th
Cat & Cask 1st Anniversary, Kanamecho
Bois Cereste, Akasaka
Towers Japanese IPA Festival, Tokyo/Kyobashi (day 1 of 2)
Gambrinus 2nd Anniversary, Kokubunji (day 1 of 2)

November 29th
Towers Japanese IPA Festival, Tokyo/Kyobashi (day 2 of 2)
Gambrinus 2nd Anniversary, Kokubunji (day 2 of 2)
Craftheads Fujizakura Festival, Shibuya
Sugaya event at Delirium, Akasaka

Details in brief…

The Cat & Cask 1st Anniversary, Kanamecho: November 28th
Great little bar selling Japanese craft beer in Kanamecho. First anniversary with live music and 800 yen pints. 5pm-11:30pm. Event details here. BIJ listing here.

Bois Cereste, Akasaka: November 28th
Belgian beer event. 3,500 yen gets you 10 tickets (advance price), with most Belgian beers being two . Tickets can also be used for food. Website (with lots of annoying popups) here.

Towers Japanese IPA Festival, Tokyo/Kyobashi: November 28th, 29th
From 1pm on both days and, as the name suggests, featuring Japanese IPAs. Small standing bar with excellent prices and great atmosphere during events. BIJ listing here (event details are in Mixi).

Gambrinus 2nd Anniversary, Kokubunji: November 28th, 29th
Both days the bar is open 1pm to 1am. Saturday is 2000 yen for entry and food with a cash bar. Sunday is 5000 yen for entry, food, and drink. Mostly standing bar. Extensive list of beers on offer over the two days featuring a whole load of Japanese craft breweries including Minoh, Preson, Isekadoya, Kakusekikan, Umenishiki, Shiga Kogen, and Baeren. Beer list and more details on the Gambrinus website.

Craftheads Fujizakura Festival, Shibuya: November 29th
1pm to 5pm. Tickets 2000 yen in advance, 2500 yen at the door including two drink tickets and light food. Extra drink tickets 500 yen (though size of drink is not specified). 8 different Fujizakura beers on offer apparently – I didn’t know they had that many! Event info here.

Sugaya event at Delirium, Akasaka: November 29th
5pm to 7pm, 5000 yen for entrance, food, and drink. Limited to 40-50 people. Dress code is “pink elephant” (anything from a full elephant costume to something smaller – with a prize for the best costumes). Beer details on the website here. Reserve by faxing, phoning, emailing Sugaya with you name and phone number – email address and fax number here.

Thanks to @Beerkat for all the info!

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