Niigata's 04 & Beer refreshes taps with Helles, local ales, and real ale
...04 & Beer, a beer pub in central Niigata, has updated its tap list with five beers from Germany, Niigata, and Nagano. The lineup includes Plank Brewery's Helles Dolcita, local amber ale and sour IPA options, and a real ale bitter.
Hop BroTucked into Furumachi alley, ...04&Beer just dropped a five-tap refresh. A lineup that runs from Helles to real ale is a very good sign.
MugiWait, Helles to real ale already sounds like a spell. Are we doing a personality test with beer now?
Hop BroFirst headliner: Plank Brewery's Helles Dolcita. It's a soft-edged Helles that doesn't push bitterness too hard and lets the grain and aroma stay round and gentle.
MugiOkay, but what even is Helles? And soft grain character sounds like something a bakery would say!
Hop BroHelles is a pale lager style that leans on balance instead of a big hop hit. Think golden and easygoing, perfect for hot weather without making you rush through it.
MugiThat sounds dangerously like my thing! So from the Niigata side, should I start with Swan Lake Beer's Amber Swan Ale or the sour IPA?
Hop BroFor a fun order, use Amber Swan Ale to lock in the malt first, then jump to Tsumari Beer's Natsumikan Sour IPA for the tartness and hop aroma.
MugiWhat is that combo? My mouth just went into instant summer mode. And Shiga Kogen's SNOW MONKEY IPA "orange ver." is orange-forward too?
Hop BroExactly. That beer creates a clean citrus flow, and then MATSUMOTO BREWERY's MATSUMOTO Traditional Bitter (Real Ale) changes the pace with its softer, less fizzy real-ale texture.
MugiReal ale again! So low-fizz cask beer means it quit the sparkle contest and chose maturity?
MugiWow, getting that whole tasting arc in a quiet alley pub feels unfair. I can already see myself opening the 3 p.m. pub door.
Hop BroThat's the move. Let's do a slow full tasting lap, then circle back to the Helles. After a lineup like this, not drinking would be the weird choice.
Five beers on tap in Furumachi
...04 & Beer, a beer pub in Niigata City’s Nishi-horimae district, has refreshed its tap list ahead of August. In the post, the shop also notes that it opens at 3:00 p.m. that day and will be closed the following day, while introducing five beers that range from a German Helles to local and regional Japanese classics.
The lineup is:
- Helles Dolcita / Plank Brewery (Bavaria)
- Amber Swan Ale / Swan Lake Beer (Niigata)
- Natsumikan Sour IPA / Tsumari Beer (Niigata)
- SNOW MONKEY IPA "orange ver." / Shiga Kogen Beer (Nagano)
- MATSUMOTO Traditional Bitter (Real Ale) / MATSUMOTO BREWERY (Nagano)
The standout for lager drinkers is Helles Dolcita from Plank Brewery. Helles is a style that puts malt softness and balance first, making it a beer that can be enjoyed for its smooth body and rounded flavor rather than sharp bitterness. It fits the hot season well, when a clean but characterful pint feels especially welcome.
The Niigata beers add a local anchor to the list. Amber Swan Ale brings a more malt-forward profile, while Natsumikan Sour IPA suggests a brighter, citrus-driven direction. Shiga Kogen's SNOW MONKEY IPA "orange ver." extends that citrus theme, giving the tap list a clear summer-friendly arc.
The final beer, MATSUMOTO Traditional Bitter from MATSUMOTO BREWERY, is served as a real ale. With softer carbonation and a gentler mouthfeel, it offers a different expression from standard draft beer. That contrast is part of the appeal here: the list is not just varied, but built for comparing styles side by side.
...04 & Beer is known as a calm place to enjoy craft beer in the alleyways of Furumachi. Rather than leaning on flashy presentation, it focuses on clearly presenting what is available right now. This tap update reflects that approach well, offering everything from an easy-drinking Helles to a real ale bitter.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroTucked into Furumachi alley, ...04&Beer just dropped a five-tap refresh. A lineup that runs from Helles to real ale is a very good sign.
MugiWait, Helles to real ale already sounds like a spell. Are we doing a personality test with beer now?
Hop BroFirst headliner: Plank Brewery's Helles Dolcita. It's a soft-edged Helles that doesn't push bitterness too hard and lets the grain and aroma stay round and gentle.
MugiOkay, but what even is Helles? And soft grain character sounds like something a bakery would say!
Hop BroHelles is a pale lager style that leans on balance instead of a big hop hit. Think golden and easygoing, perfect for hot weather without making you rush through it.
MugiThat sounds dangerously like my thing! So from the Niigata side, should I start with Swan Lake Beer's Amber Swan Ale or the sour IPA?
Hop BroFor a fun order, use Amber Swan Ale to lock in the malt first, then jump to Tsumari Beer's Natsumikan Sour IPA for the tartness and hop aroma.
MugiWhat is that combo? My mouth just went into instant summer mode. And Shiga Kogen's SNOW MONKEY IPA "orange ver." is orange-forward too?
Hop BroExactly. That beer creates a clean citrus flow, and then MATSUMOTO BREWERY's MATSUMOTO Traditional Bitter (Real Ale) changes the pace with its softer, less fizzy real-ale texture.
MugiReal ale again! So low-fizz cask beer means it quit the sparkle contest and chose maturity?
MugiWow, getting that whole tasting arc in a quiet alley pub feels unfair. I can already see myself opening the 3 p.m. pub door.
Hop BroThat's the move. Let's do a slow full tasting lap, then circle back to the Helles. After a lineup like this, not drinking would be the weird choice.
