Kanpai! Brewing’s Granzoo Adds Gonnosukezaka Pub Ale on Tap
Kanpai! Brewing’s Granzoo beer bar in Bunkyo has tapped Gonnosukezaka Pub Ale. The 4% Best Bitter offers a clear golden color, a gentle honey-and-biscuit aroma, and a smooth, restrained bitterness.
Hop BroA fresh tap just landed in Bunkyo. At Kanpai! Brewing, Gonnosukezaka Pub Ale is the one I'm locked in on.
MugiWait, that name already sounds like something you drink halfway up a hill! Fresh on tap means it's super fresh, right?
Hop BroExactly. It's a brewpub with the brewery upstairs on the second and third floors, so they can pour it downstairs almost immediately.
MugiNo way! Brewing above and drinking below is basically a beer theme park.
Hop BroAnd the style is Best Bitter. It's 4% ABV, IBU 22, clear gold, with soft honey and biscuit-like aromas.
MugiHold on, IBU 22 sounds like a test score. Should I be worried?
Hop BroIBU is just a bitterness guide. At 22, it's more of a gentle bitterness than a punch to the face, so it's easy to get into.
MugiOkay, so if it's silky and smooth too, this is a dangerously crushable beer, isn't it?
Hop BroYep. The grist starts with Maris Otter, plus a little Honey Malt and Crystal Malt, and the hops are just Fuggle and EKG. Very straight-up British.
MugiWhat is that, a wizard spell? When you say British character, what does that actually taste like?
Hop BroNot loud citrus fireworks. More like soft grain, gentle toast, and balance that holds up with food. Just talking about it makes me want a food-friendly pint right now.
MugiBy the river in Kanda with that in a glass? I'm in. Now I want a laid-back pub ale immediately.
New tap: Gonnosukezaka Pub Ale
Kanpai! Brewing’s Granzoo, the brewpub on the first floor in Bunkyo’s Sekiguchi area, has added Gonnosukezaka Pub Ale to the lineup. With the brewery located on the upper floors, the venue can serve beer that comes straight from the tanks, which is part of its appeal. The neighborhood setting along the Kanda River also gives the place a distinctly local feel.
What the beer is like
Gonnosukezaka Pub Ale comes in at 4% ABV, 22 IBU, and SRM 7. It is a Best Bitter with a clear golden appearance. The aroma leans toward a soft sweetness reminiscent of honey and biscuits, while the palate stays silky and smooth. Grainy malt character leads the way, followed by a gentle bitterness, creating a beer that favors balance and drinkability over strong statement flavors.
Built for easy drinking
The recipe uses Maris Otter Ale Malt as the base, with small additions of Honey Malt and Crystal Malt. Fuggle and EKG hops keep the profile firmly in British territory, and British Ale Yeast rounds it out. It is the kind of beer that should hold its shape as it warms slightly, making it a natural fit for both a first pint and a slow meal.
Kanpai! Brewing’s biggest strength is the direct link between brewery and bar, which keeps the beer fresh and close at hand. In that setting, a calm, balanced pub ale makes a lot of sense. It is a release that suits drinkers who want to spend time with a glass rather than rush through it.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroA fresh tap just landed in Bunkyo. At Kanpai! Brewing, Gonnosukezaka Pub Ale is the one I'm locked in on.
MugiWait, that name already sounds like something you drink halfway up a hill! Fresh on tap means it's super fresh, right?
Hop BroExactly. It's a brewpub with the brewery upstairs on the second and third floors, so they can pour it downstairs almost immediately.
MugiNo way! Brewing above and drinking below is basically a beer theme park.
Hop BroAnd the style is Best Bitter. It's 4% ABV, IBU 22, clear gold, with soft honey and biscuit-like aromas.
MugiHold on, IBU 22 sounds like a test score. Should I be worried?
Hop BroIBU is just a bitterness guide. At 22, it's more of a gentle bitterness than a punch to the face, so it's easy to get into.
MugiOkay, so if it's silky and smooth too, this is a dangerously crushable beer, isn't it?
Hop BroYep. The grist starts with Maris Otter, plus a little Honey Malt and Crystal Malt, and the hops are just Fuggle and EKG. Very straight-up British.
MugiWhat is that, a wizard spell? When you say British character, what does that actually taste like?
Hop BroNot loud citrus fireworks. More like soft grain, gentle toast, and balance that holds up with food. Just talking about it makes me want a food-friendly pint right now.
MugiBy the river in Kanda with that in a glass? I'm in. Now I want a laid-back pub ale immediately.
