Five Beers Tapped at Shinjuku's Jibiiru Bar Marumugi, Including Repubrew and Ise Kadoya Beer
On April 5, the beer pub "Jibiiru Bar Marumugi" in Arakicho, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, unveiled today's craft beer lineup. Five labels from Repubrew, Ise Kadoya Beer, Mojiko Retro Beer, Ushitora Brewery, and Minami Shinshu Beer are on tap, offering a wide range from a soft Hazy IPA to a fragrant British Strong Ale.
Hop BroFive beers tapped at Jibiiru Bar Marumugi in Shinjuku's Arakicho sounds like a really good night. When you line up Repubrew, Ise Kadoya Beer, Mojiko Retro Beer, Ushitora Brewery, and Minami Shinshu Beer, it feels like traveling just by looking at the shelf.
MugiWhoa! That's luxurious right from the start! Five labels lined up sounds almost too exciting just to choose from, and you can taste that many different flavors in Shinjuku?
Hop BroYou can. And since it's Large 1,200 yen+α or Small 900 yen+α, it's easy to start with a small one, then go big if you like it. That's the golden move.
MugiI see! But what is a Hazy IPA? The name sounds fluffy, but is it like there's actual clouds in it when you drink it?
Hop BroNo clouds inside, but Repubrew's HEARTS UP! IPA gives off that kind of soft Hazy impression. A Hazy IPA is a cloudy IPA, and while the hop aroma is still strong, the mouthfeel tends to be smoother.
MugiOhhh! Then I'm also curious about the next one, the NZ hops front and center thing! It feels like a southern hemisphere breeze just blew in, and the style level suddenly shot up!
Hop BroThat's Ise Kadoya Beer's Fresh-Pressed Beyond the Pacific. NZ hops are New Zealand hops, and they tend to show citrus, tropical fruit, and white grape-like outlines, so you can enjoy it as an IPA with a very clear profile.
MugiOhhh, suddenly that's a pro-level explanation! So when you say Mojiko Retro Beer's richness and toastiness, does that mean the beer is secretly turning into fresh-baked bread?
Hop BroThat's actually not far off. Mojiko Retro Beer's Pale Ale is appealing more for drinkability than flash, and Ushitora Brewery's Favorite IPA has that great straight-ahead attitude of Drink bitter IPA gulp by gulp.
MugiWow, now I want the bitter one too! And then hearing about Minami Shinshu Beer's Biscuit Hop, a British Strong Ale, makes me want to order snacks along with it!
Hop BroExactly. It has that biscuit-like lingering aroma, and it's nice because it has body without being tiring. If you slowly compare all five at Marumugi, which opened in 2011, together with the quiet atmosphere of Arakicho, tonight should become a night that's fun all the way to the last glass.
MugiIt's decided! Today I feel like doing a tasting tour in Arakicho, and I'm starting with small pours of all five!
Marumugi's Lineup Today
At the small beer pub "Jibiiru Bar Marumugi" in Arakicho, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, five craft beers appeared on the tap list for April 5. Sizes are Large 1,200 yen+α / Small 900 yen+α. Depending on the label, some are served for +100 yen.
The highlight this time is "HEARTS UP! IPA" from Shizuoka's Repubrew. At 5.0%, its description says "spring-colored, soft Hazy," suggesting a gently smooth mouthfeel. Next is Mie's Ise Kadoya Beer with "Fresh-Pressed Beyond the Pacific" at 5.5%. It is introduced as an IPA-style beer that puts NZ hops front and center, with clearly defined hop character.
From Fukuoka's Mojiko Retro Beer, "Pale Ale" is on. At 5.5%, it is described as "a classic ale that wins you over with richness and toastiness," making it a likely fit for those who prefer drinkability over flash. Tochigi's Ushitora Brewery offers "Favorite IPA" at 6.0%. As the comment says, "Drink bitter IPA gulp by gulp," this is one to choose when you want a solid bitterness.
Also featured is Nagano's Minami Shinshu Beer "Biscuit Hop," a British Strong Ale at 7.0%. Its hallmarks are a biscuit-like toasted malt character, gentle bitterness, and a lingering finish, presented as a beer that balances heft with an easygoing drinkability.
Quiet Tap-Hopping in Arakicho
Marumugi is a beer pub in Arakicho, within walking distance of Yotsuya-Sanchome Station, and has been open since 2011. Its charm lies in its compact space and the chance to carefully choose from the kegs available that day. Rather than a flashy event space, it is a place to calmly appreciate the individuality of the beers on hand.
Note that the shop has been closed on Tuesdays and public holidays since December 5, 2024. For anyone wanting to compare five different styles from first glass to last in Arakicho, this is just the right lineup.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroFive beers tapped at Jibiiru Bar Marumugi in Shinjuku's Arakicho sounds like a really good night. When you line up Repubrew, Ise Kadoya Beer, Mojiko Retro Beer, Ushitora Brewery, and Minami Shinshu Beer, it feels like traveling just by looking at the shelf.
MugiWhoa! That's luxurious right from the start! Five labels lined up sounds almost too exciting just to choose from, and you can taste that many different flavors in Shinjuku?
Hop BroYou can. And since it's Large 1,200 yen+α or Small 900 yen+α, it's easy to start with a small one, then go big if you like it. That's the golden move.
MugiI see! But what is a Hazy IPA? The name sounds fluffy, but is it like there's actual clouds in it when you drink it?
Hop BroNo clouds inside, but Repubrew's HEARTS UP! IPA gives off that kind of soft Hazy impression. A Hazy IPA is a cloudy IPA, and while the hop aroma is still strong, the mouthfeel tends to be smoother.
MugiOhhh! Then I'm also curious about the next one, the NZ hops front and center thing! It feels like a southern hemisphere breeze just blew in, and the style level suddenly shot up!
Hop BroThat's Ise Kadoya Beer's Fresh-Pressed Beyond the Pacific. NZ hops are New Zealand hops, and they tend to show citrus, tropical fruit, and white grape-like outlines, so you can enjoy it as an IPA with a very clear profile.
MugiOhhh, suddenly that's a pro-level explanation! So when you say Mojiko Retro Beer's richness and toastiness, does that mean the beer is secretly turning into fresh-baked bread?
Hop BroThat's actually not far off. Mojiko Retro Beer's Pale Ale is appealing more for drinkability than flash, and Ushitora Brewery's Favorite IPA has that great straight-ahead attitude of Drink bitter IPA gulp by gulp.
MugiWow, now I want the bitter one too! And then hearing about Minami Shinshu Beer's Biscuit Hop, a British Strong Ale, makes me want to order snacks along with it!
Hop BroExactly. It has that biscuit-like lingering aroma, and it's nice because it has body without being tiring. If you slowly compare all five at Marumugi, which opened in 2011, together with the quiet atmosphere of Arakicho, tonight should become a night that's fun all the way to the last glass.
MugiIt's decided! Today I feel like doing a tasting tour in Arakicho, and I'm starting with small pours of all five!
