Beer Engine in Koenji taps Honjo Ginza Brewery's HONJO SPECIAL BITTER
Beer Engine, a beer pub in Koenji, is currently pouring Honjo Ginza Brewery's HONJO SPECIAL BITTER at 4.5% ABV as a farewell gift from a departing staff member. Sankoen's anniversary beer Sansansan is also on tap, adding to the pub's hand-pump lineup.
Hop BroKoenji’s Beer Engine has a great tap story today. Honjo Ginza Brewery’s "HONJO SPECIAL BITTER" at 4.5%, a proper special bitter, went on tap as a farewell gift from Daiki, who left at the end of June.
MugiWait, a parting-gift beer? That sounds weirdly emotional. And "on tap" means I could drink it right now, right?
Hop BroExactly, and this place is known for five hand pumps pouring domestic craft beer, so you get that soft real-ale texture nice and slow.
MugiHold on, hand pump means what exactly? The staff go full workout mode every time they pour?
Hop BroMore or less, but phrasing matters. Real ale usually has gentler carbonation, so serving it by hand helps keep the texture round and soft.
MugiOhhh, then "HONJO SPECIAL BITTER" being an easy-drinking pint totally makes sense. At 4.5%, I would not stop at one.
Hop BroAnd I like that they say it still has that Honjo character. Cleanly made, but with enough personality to feel like its own beer.
MugiThat description is so vague it somehow makes me want it more. And they also have Sansansan anniversary beer on tap? That is greedy in the best way.
Hop BroPlus there’s Jamaican music inside, jerk chicken on the food menu, and the lineup changes whenever a cask kicks. That place is built for repeat visits.
MugiAnd food last order is 22:15, right? I want to plan around one last plate and start with "HONJO SPECIAL BITTER."
Hop BroThat’s the move. Start with the soft bitter, detour into Sansansan, then circle back... it’s the kind of lineup that makes you want Koenji right now.
MugiDone. I want to watch a real ale get pulled and make tonight’s beer flight happen. Reading this already made me thirsty.
Beers on Tap
Beer Engine, tucked away in a side street near Koenji Station's north exit, is a beer pub known for pouring domestic craft beer through five hand pumps. The room has a relaxed feel, with Jamaican music in the background and the soft texture that comes with real ale service.
In its July 10 Instagram post, the bar highlighted a farewell gift from staff member Daiki: Honjo Ginza Brewery's HONJO SPECIAL BITTER at 4.5% ABV. It is described as a cleanly made special bitter with a clear "Honjo" character and an easy-drinking finish. The post also notes Sankoen's 3rd-anniversary beer, Sansansan, also from Honjo Ginza Brewery, is available on tap.
What you can drink
- Honjo Ginza Brewery: HONJO SPECIAL BITTER, 4.5%
- Sankoen anniversary beer: Sansansan
Part of Beer Engine's appeal is the changing tap list. When a cask runs out, a new domestic beer can appear, so the lineup never feels static. Jerk chicken is another signature food item, making the pub a natural stop for a slow beer-and-food night in Koenji. From July, the food last order is 10:15 pm, so it is worth arriving with a little time to spare if you want to finish with one more dish.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroKoenji’s Beer Engine has a great tap story today. Honjo Ginza Brewery’s "HONJO SPECIAL BITTER" at 4.5%, a proper special bitter, went on tap as a farewell gift from Daiki, who left at the end of June.
MugiWait, a parting-gift beer? That sounds weirdly emotional. And "on tap" means I could drink it right now, right?
Hop BroExactly, and this place is known for five hand pumps pouring domestic craft beer, so you get that soft real-ale texture nice and slow.
MugiHold on, hand pump means what exactly? The staff go full workout mode every time they pour?
Hop BroMore or less, but phrasing matters. Real ale usually has gentler carbonation, so serving it by hand helps keep the texture round and soft.
MugiOhhh, then "HONJO SPECIAL BITTER" being an easy-drinking pint totally makes sense. At 4.5%, I would not stop at one.
Hop BroAnd I like that they say it still has that Honjo character. Cleanly made, but with enough personality to feel like its own beer.
MugiThat description is so vague it somehow makes me want it more. And they also have Sansansan anniversary beer on tap? That is greedy in the best way.
Hop BroPlus there’s Jamaican music inside, jerk chicken on the food menu, and the lineup changes whenever a cask kicks. That place is built for repeat visits.
MugiAnd food last order is 22:15, right? I want to plan around one last plate and start with "HONJO SPECIAL BITTER."
Hop BroThat’s the move. Start with the soft bitter, detour into Sansansan, then circle back... it’s the kind of lineup that makes you want Koenji right now.
MugiDone. I want to watch a real ale get pulled and make tonight’s beer flight happen. Reading this already made me thirsty.
