Highland Park and Ghost Town Newly Tapped at Ben's Slop Shop in Kichijoji
Ben's Slop Shop, a craft beer specialty store in Kichijoji, released its new tap information for February 17. Centered on Highland Park Brewery from Los Angeles and Ghost Town Brewing from Oakland, a buzzy lineup of West Coast-style beers landed all at once.
Hop BroBen's Slop Shop in Kichijoji came out swinging on February 17 with a 2.17 OPEN new tap, and Highland Park and Ghost Town landed all at once.
MugiWhoa! That's definitely the kind of drop that gets you hyped! What kind of beers came in on that West Coast-heavy lineup?
Hop BroThe core is Highland Park Brewery from Los Angeles, with Hello LA, a West Coast IPA, and the much-talked-about Timbo Pils as the headliners, plus a hazy double IPA collaboration with Fidens all arriving at the same time.
MugiWait, that's way too fancy! But when you call it the origin of West Coast Pilsner, it suddenly sounds like a tough lesson before a test!
Hop BroBasically, it's a textbook example of the bitterness and aroma that define the modern West Coast vibe, and through its bloodline connection to WCB, it also ties back to the background of Starwatcher IPA and HOP & ESCAPE.
MugiOhhh, knowing the background makes each sip feel like an event. Drinking a reference point is kind of cool!
Hop BroAnd Ghost Town from Oakland is strong too, with five Ghost Town beers in the mix, including a Czech-style pilsner that won silver at the 2025 GABF, plus a West Coast Pale Ale and an IPA.
MugiSo many choices, I'm happily overwhelmed! Starting with the silver-medal Czech pils to reset the palate sounds pretty good, right?
Hop BroThat's the perfect way in. Let's talk with the staff and work through a tasting-flight strategy, moving from clean bitterness to hop-aroma-focused picks in order.
MugiDeal! Let's toast Ben's Slop Shop and check out the current state of the West Coast, and make Kichijoji the meeting point tonight!
Notable New Arrivals for the February 17 Opening Slot
Craft beer specialty shop Ben's Slop Shop (Kichijoji Honmachi, Musashino City, Tokyo) announced the day's new arrivals under "2.17(Tue.) OPEN". After a tap event featuring Sakamichi Brewing and Three Arrows was held shortly beforehand, the shop carried that momentum forward with a strong lineup of beers rooted in the American West Coast context.
At the center of this release is Highland Park Brewery from Los Angeles, California. The post names the brewery's signature beers as Hello LA, a West Coast IPA, and Timbo Pils, which is often described as a foundational beer for the West Coast Pilsner style. In addition, several beers reportedly arrived at once, including a hazy double IPA collaboration with Fidens Brewing of New York, showing a wide stylistic range.
A Context That Also Resonates with West Coast Brewing Fans
The post also notes that an early brewer at West Coast Brewing came from Highland Park Brewery, drawing a connection to WCB staple beers such as Starwatcher IPA and HOP & ESCAPE. Rather than serving as a simple new-arrivals notice, the piece positions Highland Park as a reference point for understanding the current West Coast beer taste.
Ghost Town Brewing Arrives at the Same Time
In addition, Ghost Town Brewing from Oakland, California, also sent in five beers. The lineup includes a Czech-style pilsner that won silver at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival, along with a West Coast Pale Ale and an IPA, making it easy to choose whether you prefer clean bitterness or hop aroma.
The Shop's Atmosphere
One of Ben's Slop Shop's strengths is that staff can talk you through the beers and help you dig into what fits your taste. A release like this, where the background context is part of the recommendation, makes deciding on your first pour part of the fun. If you want to taste and compare "where the West Coast is now" in Kichijoji, this is one arrival worth checking first.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroBen's Slop Shop in Kichijoji came out swinging on February 17 with a 2.17 OPEN new tap, and Highland Park and Ghost Town landed all at once.
MugiWhoa! That's definitely the kind of drop that gets you hyped! What kind of beers came in on that West Coast-heavy lineup?
Hop BroThe core is Highland Park Brewery from Los Angeles, with Hello LA, a West Coast IPA, and the much-talked-about Timbo Pils as the headliners, plus a hazy double IPA collaboration with Fidens all arriving at the same time.
MugiWait, that's way too fancy! But when you call it the origin of West Coast Pilsner, it suddenly sounds like a tough lesson before a test!
Hop BroBasically, it's a textbook example of the bitterness and aroma that define the modern West Coast vibe, and through its bloodline connection to WCB, it also ties back to the background of Starwatcher IPA and HOP & ESCAPE.
MugiOhhh, knowing the background makes each sip feel like an event. Drinking a reference point is kind of cool!
Hop BroAnd Ghost Town from Oakland is strong too, with five Ghost Town beers in the mix, including a Czech-style pilsner that won silver at the 2025 GABF, plus a West Coast Pale Ale and an IPA.
MugiSo many choices, I'm happily overwhelmed! Starting with the silver-medal Czech pils to reset the palate sounds pretty good, right?
Hop BroThat's the perfect way in. Let's talk with the staff and work through a tasting-flight strategy, moving from clean bitterness to hop-aroma-focused picks in order.
MugiDeal! Let's toast Ben's Slop Shop and check out the current state of the West Coast, and make Kichijoji the meeting point tonight!
