Kitasando's Craft Beer Tap FAM333 Opens April 3, Serving Domestic Beer with 8 Taps and Hand Pumps
Craft Beer Tap FAM333, a beer pub located underground, a 3-minute walk from Kitasando Station, opened on April 3. In addition to 8 taps, it is equipped with two hand pumps, and is drawing attention as a place where you can leisurely enjoy a lineup centered on domestic brands, from long-time favorites to notable breweries.
Hop BroA new underground hideaway beer pub has opened in Kitasando: Craft Beer Tap FAM333, which opened on April 3. It's just a 3-minute walk from the station, and with 18 seats total, including 8 at the counter, it's the kind of size that's easy to enjoy solo.
MugiWait, it's underground but still that easy to get into? That hideaway-like look is kind of intriguing. But only 8 seats? It sounds like you'd end up becoming friends with the staff as soon as you sit down!
Hop BroThat's the good part. And because there are 8 taps plus 2 hand pumps, it's not just showing off the lineup, they can also properly serve real ale. Since it's poured with manual pressure, the foam and aroma come out a little softer.
MugiReal ale? What is that! Does pouring with a hand pump really change the taste that much?
Hop BroYeah, because it doesn't force the carbonation in too strongly, the mouthfeel tends to come out gentler. Here, about 80% of the lineup is domestic brands, and part of the appeal is the balanced mix from veteran breweries to newer ones. It feels designed more for serving beer in great condition than for being flashy.
MugiI see! I kind of like the idea of letting the beer itself do the talking. So if I go for the first time, what should I drink?
Hop BroWhat stood out in the article was VERTERE's Belgian blonde, "VERTERE BENITOA." It has a spicy aroma from the Belgian yeast and a rounded malt character. The other one is COEDO's session IPA, "Floating Universe," a light, seasonal limited release.
MugiBelgian blonde sounds difficult just from the name! When you say spicy aroma, does the beer smell like pepper?
Hop BroExactly. Strictly speaking, it's usually not pepper itself, but more the clove-like and spice-like character produced by the yeast. Pair that with the house-made mixed pickles, and the acidity keeps making you want just one more sip, and then another.
MugiSo it's easy to drink, but still full of character. If I can slowly enjoy each glass's individuality, I'd happily be pulled into the underground in Kitasando too! I'm definitely in the mood for beer now.
A quiet place to enjoy beer underground in Kitasando
Craft Beer Tap FAM333 is a beer pub inside the Executive Harajuku B1F building in Sendagaya, Tokyo. Located along Meiji-dori within walking distance of Kitasando Station, the underground shop reached by descending the stairs beside the building has the feel of a hideaway. The interior has 18 seats in total, including 8 at the counter. The industrial piping and lighting make a strong impression, and the space has an atmosphere that makes it easy to relax with a glass even when you're alone.
8 taps and 2 hand pumps, with a lineup centered on domestic brands
What sets this shop apart is that 2 of its total 8 taps are devoted to hand pumps. Being able to serve real ale, which takes effort to pour, all the time is a welcome point for craft beer fans. About 80% of the lineup consists of domestic brands, with a balanced selection spanning veteran breweries to up-and-coming ones. Rather than flashy presentation, the concept seems focused on serving beer itself in the best possible condition.
The beers to try: a Belgian blonde and a seasonal IPA
The beers highlighted in the feature were VERTERE BENITOA, a Belgian blonde from Okutama's VERTERE, and COEDO Floating Universe, a limited-edition session IPA from Kawagoe's COEDO. The former is the kind of beer you enjoy for its spicy aroma, while the latter is a light, seasonal release, showing the breadth of the shop's tap selection. On the food side, house-made mixed pickles were also introduced, and their moderate acidity helps keep the beer flowing. It's easy to stop by casually, yet each glass still has its own distinct character. That balance is what gives FAM333 its identity.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroA new underground hideaway beer pub has opened in Kitasando: Craft Beer Tap FAM333, which opened on April 3. It's just a 3-minute walk from the station, and with 18 seats total, including 8 at the counter, it's the kind of size that's easy to enjoy solo.
MugiWait, it's underground but still that easy to get into? That hideaway-like look is kind of intriguing. But only 8 seats? It sounds like you'd end up becoming friends with the staff as soon as you sit down!
Hop BroThat's the good part. And because there are 8 taps plus 2 hand pumps, it's not just showing off the lineup, they can also properly serve real ale. Since it's poured with manual pressure, the foam and aroma come out a little softer.
MugiReal ale? What is that! Does pouring with a hand pump really change the taste that much?
Hop BroYeah, because it doesn't force the carbonation in too strongly, the mouthfeel tends to come out gentler. Here, about 80% of the lineup is domestic brands, and part of the appeal is the balanced mix from veteran breweries to newer ones. It feels designed more for serving beer in great condition than for being flashy.
MugiI see! I kind of like the idea of letting the beer itself do the talking. So if I go for the first time, what should I drink?
Hop BroWhat stood out in the article was VERTERE's Belgian blonde, "VERTERE BENITOA." It has a spicy aroma from the Belgian yeast and a rounded malt character. The other one is COEDO's session IPA, "Floating Universe," a light, seasonal limited release.
MugiBelgian blonde sounds difficult just from the name! When you say spicy aroma, does the beer smell like pepper?
Hop BroExactly. Strictly speaking, it's usually not pepper itself, but more the clove-like and spice-like character produced by the yeast. Pair that with the house-made mixed pickles, and the acidity keeps making you want just one more sip, and then another.
MugiSo it's easy to drink, but still full of character. If I can slowly enjoy each glass's individuality, I'd happily be pulled into the underground in Kitasando too! I'm definitely in the mood for beer now.
