Ise Kadoya Beer’s "Neko ni Hiki" and Ushitora’s "Hatopoppo Ale" Arrive at Asakusa Beer Kobo
At the brewpub Asakusa Beer Kobo in Nishi-Asakusa, Taito City, the team has opened for a leisurely Tuesday on a rainy day. Along with a coffee porter poured with nitrogen gas, Ise Kadoya Beer’s "Neko ni Hiki" and Ushitora Brewery’s "Hatopoppo Ale" are being introduced.
Hop BroWhat I like about Asakusa Beer Kobo is that it’s open in a relaxed way on rainy days. True to a Nishi-Asakusa brewpub, it has that easygoing atmosphere where you can just drop in and have a beer.
MugiHuh, drinking beer on a rainy day does sound extra good! And a brewpub means it brews on-site, right? That’s really interesting!
Hop BroExactly. Since they brew inside the shop, the place’s character comes through. The first highlight is the nitrogen-poured Image of One Cup of Coffee, with the coffee porter aroma and fine foam that are hard to resist.
MugiNitrogen gas? What’s that? Even though it’s beer, does it come out with coffee-like foam? That fine foam thing sounds like a fluffy café latte.
Hop BroThat’s a pretty close image. It gives a smoother mouthfeel than carbonation, and the aroma comes forward more easily. So it’s perfect as a beer you want to sip slowly.
MugiWhoa! So there are guest beers too, right? The Neko ni Hiki from the article sounds strong just from the name!
Hop BroYou’ve got it. It’s Ise Kadoya Beer’s hazy Double IPA, with a cloudy look and hop aroma right at the center. Juicy and bright, it’s no surprise this one is so popular.
MugiHazy means fuzzy? Does Double IPA mean you get twice as drunk? When you say hop aroma, it kind of makes me think of a forest.
Hop BroA Double IPA is a type of IPA with the bitterness and aroma turned up; it doesn’t mean you get twice as drunk. Hazy refers to the cloudiness, so it’s a style to enjoy for its juicy, cloudy character.
MugiGot it! The other one, Hatopoppo Ale, sounds interesting too, and "extra barley" is such a funny name!
Hop BroIt’s Ushitora Brewery’s Hatomugi Extra Ver., so it should make for a tasting comparison that really brings out grainy umami. Paired with Neko ni Hiki’s brightness, the contrast should be a lot of fun.
MugiOn a rainy day, a tasting set starting with a coffee porter sounds amazing, doesn’t it? If it’s in Asakusa from 5:00 to 10:30 p.m., I’d want to stop by after work!
Hop BroExactly. Whether between sightseeing stops or after work, the nice thing is that you can walk in without pretense. By now I’m already in the mood for a beer in Asakusa.
MugiYeah, yeah, I can’t hold back anymore! I’ll take Neko ni Hiki, hop brother takes the coffee porter, and let’s toast!
A Brewpub in Asakusa to Enjoy on Rainy Days
Tokyo’s Nishi-Asakusa Asakusa Beer Kobo is a brewpub where you can also enjoy in-house brewing. In this notice, it says, "A rainy Tuesday, and we’re starting the week at a relaxed pace," conveying an atmosphere that makes it easy to drop in without pretense.
The First Glass to Watch For
The recommended pour is the nitrogen-dispensed coffee porter "Image of One Cup of Coffee." It is a beer with fine foam and an easy-to-imagine coffee aroma, the kind of beer you want to sip slowly. In true brewpub fashion, the establishment’s character is carried straight into the glass.
Two Popular Guest Beers
The guest beer being introduced is Ise Kadoya Beer’s "Neko ni Hiki." The style is a hazy Double IPA, a perennial favorite familiar to fans who enjoy a cloudy appearance and hop aroma.
The other is Ushitora Brewery’s "Hatopoppo Ale." This time it is introduced as the "Hatomugi Extra Ver.," indicating an adjusted version with a stronger grain impression. As a tasting comparison, the contrast between a juicy hazy DIPA and an ale that brings out grain character makes for an interesting pairing.
A Casual Stop-In Kind of Service Note
Opening hours are 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., food last order at 9:30 p.m., drinks last order at 10:00 p.m. With Asakusa as its location, it works well both for a quick drink between sightseeing stops and for lingering over a meal. It isn’t a flashy event announcement, but as a calm operating notice from a brewpub meant for everyday use, it was content that beer lovers would not want to miss.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroWhat I like about Asakusa Beer Kobo is that it’s open in a relaxed way on rainy days. True to a Nishi-Asakusa brewpub, it has that easygoing atmosphere where you can just drop in and have a beer.
MugiHuh, drinking beer on a rainy day does sound extra good! And a brewpub means it brews on-site, right? That’s really interesting!
Hop BroExactly. Since they brew inside the shop, the place’s character comes through. The first highlight is the nitrogen-poured Image of One Cup of Coffee, with the coffee porter aroma and fine foam that are hard to resist.
MugiNitrogen gas? What’s that? Even though it’s beer, does it come out with coffee-like foam? That fine foam thing sounds like a fluffy café latte.
Hop BroThat’s a pretty close image. It gives a smoother mouthfeel than carbonation, and the aroma comes forward more easily. So it’s perfect as a beer you want to sip slowly.
MugiWhoa! So there are guest beers too, right? The Neko ni Hiki from the article sounds strong just from the name!
Hop BroYou’ve got it. It’s Ise Kadoya Beer’s hazy Double IPA, with a cloudy look and hop aroma right at the center. Juicy and bright, it’s no surprise this one is so popular.
MugiHazy means fuzzy? Does Double IPA mean you get twice as drunk? When you say hop aroma, it kind of makes me think of a forest.
Hop BroA Double IPA is a type of IPA with the bitterness and aroma turned up; it doesn’t mean you get twice as drunk. Hazy refers to the cloudiness, so it’s a style to enjoy for its juicy, cloudy character.
MugiGot it! The other one, Hatopoppo Ale, sounds interesting too, and "extra barley" is such a funny name!
Hop BroIt’s Ushitora Brewery’s Hatomugi Extra Ver., so it should make for a tasting comparison that really brings out grainy umami. Paired with Neko ni Hiki’s brightness, the contrast should be a lot of fun.
MugiOn a rainy day, a tasting set starting with a coffee porter sounds amazing, doesn’t it? If it’s in Asakusa from 5:00 to 10:30 p.m., I’d want to stop by after work!
Hop BroExactly. Whether between sightseeing stops or after work, the nice thing is that you can walk in without pretense. By now I’m already in the mood for a beer in Asakusa.
MugiYeah, yeah, I can’t hold back anymore! I’ll take Neko ni Hiki, hop brother takes the coffee porter, and let’s toast!
