Kyoto is a city renowned for its culinary excellence, but now it is also making a name for itself as one of Japan’s craft beer hotspots. It is a place where you can find delicious locally brewed beers, which incorporate a variety of local ingredients and flavors, and enjoy them at one of the city’s many cosy and welcoming craft beer bars. In this article we will introduce some of our recommended craft beer breweries and bars, along with unique Kyoto brews such as matcha (green tea) beer - a must try for beer fans looking for something a little different!

🍺Tip: HOTEL TAVINOS Kyoto offers a variety of locally brewed Kyoto craft beer for our guests. From matcha-flavored low-malt beer to Kyoto-origin sake and whiskey, you can enjoy local craft beverages anytime during your stay! Be sure to check out our Instagram or ask our staff for the latest updates.

The Kyoto Craft Beer Scene - Combining Innovation and Tradition

In recent years the craft beer scene in Japan has been developing and growing in popularity, and Kyoto in particular has been attracting attention for its increasing number of unique craft beer breweries. Kyoto is known for its excellent quality produce and fantastically clean water, and both of these factors have contributed to the vibrant craft beer scene in the city, incorporating both classic brews such as IPAs (Indian Pale Ales, a style of beer that is characterized by its hoppy flavor and aroma) with more unusual and innovative Kyoto-specific beers and lagers, such as the aforementioned Uji matcha beer. Many local breweries have their own taprooms, where you can enjoy freshly brewed beer crafted by the brewery itself, and some breweries also offer tours so you can fully experience the brewing process.

Three well-known local breweries which we will introduce today are Kyoto Beer Lab, Crafthouse Kyoto and Kyoto Brewery Co..

Kyoto Beer Lab: A Trendy Brewery Offering Unique ‘Tea Beers’

Tucked away along the picturesque Takasegawa, a river where cherry trees bloom pink in the spring, you can find one of the city’s trendiest and most innovative craft beer spots, the Kyoto Beer Lab.

This small and inviting bar is the place to go to try intriguing new brews and flavor combinations, most of which take inspiration from Kyoto’s rich culinary heritage and use local ingredients. The bar features a total of nine beer taps, with its flagship brew being ‘Chabeer (tea beer)’, which uses high-end Wazuka tea from Wazuka-cho, southern Kyoto, in their selection of white ales, IPAs and stouts. Directly behind the bar you can’t miss the three large brewing tanks, where the Australian head brewer concocts original recipes. Constantly crafting new recipes, this is a place where you can enjoy a fresh and unique beer with every visit. Don’t miss the chance to explore one of Kyoto’s most pioneering craft beer establishments for an exciting new discovery!

Kyoto Beer Lab
Address: 201-3 Juzenji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Hours: 1:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Closed: open all year round
Access: 5-minute walk from Keihan Railway Shichijo Station
Website: https://kyotobeerlab.stores.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyotobeerlab/

Crafthouse Kyoto: Enjoy Beers in a Showa-era Machiya Townhouse

Featuring an 8-meter counter crafted from a single slab of natural wood on the first floor and over 60 seats, including all table seating on the second floor, Crafthouse Kyoto is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon or evening supping on local brews and relaxing in beautiful and stylish surroundings.

The 100-year-old building is a renovated machiya townhouse build during early Showa-era, and with 12 beers on tap at all times, you will be spoilt for choice. Most of the beers on offer are brewed locally in Kyoto or the wider Kansai region, and you can pair your drinks with the appetising food menu which features pub classics such as fish and chips, as well as dishes showcasing seasonal Kyoto ingredients. It is also just a short 15-minute walk from HOTEL TAVINOS Kyoto!

Crafthouse Kyoto
Address: 211 Omiya-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Hours: 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Weekdays), 12:00 noon – 11:00 pm (Weekends and Holidays)
Closed: irregular holidays
Access: 2-minute walk from Keihan Railway Shichijo Station
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crafthousekyotojapan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crafthouse_kyoto/

Kyoto Brewing Co.: Taste Freshly Brewed Craft Beer

One of the most popular craft beer breweries in the whole of the city, Kyoto Brewing Co. is a little taste of heaven for serious beer fans and even casual drinkers. The various beers on offer include some strong and hoppy IPAs and thick hearty stouts and are all brewed on site - in addition to the selection of tapped beer, you can also purchase from their range of cans and bottles.

You’re welcome to bring your own food, or you can also grab a bite from the food truck which often stops by.

Kyoto Brewing Co.
Address: 25-1 Takahata-cho, Nishikujo, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Hours: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Fridays), 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm (Weekends and Holidays, extended to 7:00 pm during summertime)
Closed: Mondays to Thursdays
Access: 10-minute from Kintetsu Railway Jujo Station
Website: https://kyotobrewing.com/en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyotobrewing/

How to Get to the above Breweries from HOTEL TAVINOS Kyoto

Getting to these breweries from HOTEL TAVINOS Kyoto is simple and convenient. Whether you prefer walking or taking the bus and train, each brewery is easily accessible, allowing you to enjoy Kyoto’s craft beer scene without any hassle.

●　Kyoto Beer Lab and Crafthouse Kyoto: Both are conveniently located within a 15-minute walk south of HOTEL TAVINOS Kyoto. Alternatively, you can take the Keihan Railway from Shimizu-Gojo Station and reach their nearest station, Shichijo Station, in just 2 minutes. Enjoy your drinks and stay out as late as you like!

● Kyoto Brewing Co.: Located in central Kyoto, the brewery can be easily reached from HOTEL TAVINOS in less than 40 minutes. Start by taking the Kyoto City Bus to Kyoto Station, then transfer to the Kintetsu Railway at Kyoto Station and get off at Kintetsu Jujo Station. From there, it’s just a short 10- to 15-minute walk west.

Writer

Tom Fay
Originally from the United Kingdom, Tom has been living in Japan since 2007. Having lived in Osaka for many years, he now resides in a 150 year-old farmhouse in rural Kyoto, where he enjoys growing vegetables and trying to live sustainably. He has a particular interest in nature and the outdoors, and spends much of his time climbing mountains, but he likes exploring new places all over the country, from the big cities to off-the-beaten-track localities.