Novel Craft Opens Kemker Barrel-Aged Cider and Highlights 8 Taps
The beer pub "Novel Craft" in Minamikarasuyama, Setagaya, Tokyo, published its May 19 lineup for a 5 p.m. opening. It featured Kemker barrel-aged cider served by the glass, along with eight beers including Garage × LHG, Bellwoods, and Novel Craft Brewing.
Hop BroToday's topic is Novel Craft's 5 p.m. opening in Minamikarasuyama, Setagaya. It's the kind of place you can drop into right after work, and you can tell it understands drinkers.
MugiWhoa! Opening at 5 p.m. is so helpful! But with a beer pub, I feel like I'd already be lost by the first drink. What's on the lineup?
Hop BroFirst up in the By The Glass section is Kemker's barrel-aged cider. It's an Apple and Quince blend, fermented with apples and quince for 12 months in oak barrels.
MugiWait, what is quince!? And barrel-aged cider sounds like cider, not beer, but is it really that deep?
Hop BroQuince is a fruit with a strong aroma, and it tends to give the finished drink citrusy and floral notes. And because it has acidity and tannin, it's not just sweet - it finishes crisp.
MugiThat's wild! The moment you say barrel nuances, it suddenly feels more grown-up. But if there are eight taps, I want to dive into the beer from there.
Hop BroExactly, that's the fun part: the taps include Garage × LHG, Trap Door IPA, and Bellwoods' Grisette. The range goes from IPA to grisette, so it's a real tasting rabbit hole.
MugiOhh! Grisette is the lighter style, right? If I drink that after an IPA, it sounds like my palate would get a full reset!
Hop BroThat's right. And they also have two beers from Novel Craft Brewing, Splore and Sweep, so they're making sure to show their own beers too.
MugiHaving all that right near the station is unfair! It feels like a casual beer in Chitose-Karasuyama, and if I stopped by on a whim I'd probably end up staying a while!
Hop BroStart slowly with the cider, then move to a hop-forward IPA, and finish with a lighter lager-style beer. That's a flow that makes you want to drink.
MugiYeah, I'm already thirsty just imagining it! This is the kind of place where you'd say, this is my pick for tonight's drink!
5 p.m. Tap Lineup
Novel Craft (Minamikarasuyama, Setagaya, Tokyo) announced that day's offerings in a May 19 post. Along with notice of a 5 p.m. opening, the lineup centered on one glass-poured drink to savor slowly and eight taps spanning different styles, reflecting the pub's easy stop-by-after-work feel.
By The Glass
- Kemker / Appelwien Blend no. 01-2022 - apple and quince
A cider made with apples and quince, fermented for 12 months in oak barrels. It is described as having citrus- and flower-like flavors, along with a light oxidative note, barrel nuances, and a balance of acidity and tannin. A glass worth taking your time with between taps.
Tap List
- Garage × LHG / ADRENOCHROME
- Trap Door / Trap Door IPA
- Bellwoods / Grisette
- Cave D'occi / Sun Dance
- falo brewing / Tsubame Draft
- Novel Craft Brewing / Splore
- Novel Craft Brewing / Sweep
- Sapporo / Edelpils
The lineup ranges widely from IPA and grisette to pilsner-style beers, and it is also notable for including two of Novel Craft Brewing's own beers. It looks like a place where you can enjoy the differences between beers by trying them little by little, while settling in casually near Chitose-Karasuyama Station. For beer lovers, it would also be interesting to start with the barrel-driven cider and then move on to the hop-forward IPA and a lighter lager.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday's topic is Novel Craft's 5 p.m. opening in Minamikarasuyama, Setagaya. It's the kind of place you can drop into right after work, and you can tell it understands drinkers.
MugiWhoa! Opening at 5 p.m. is so helpful! But with a beer pub, I feel like I'd already be lost by the first drink. What's on the lineup?
Hop BroFirst up in the By The Glass section is Kemker's barrel-aged cider. It's an Apple and Quince blend, fermented with apples and quince for 12 months in oak barrels.
MugiWait, what is quince!? And barrel-aged cider sounds like cider, not beer, but is it really that deep?
Hop BroQuince is a fruit with a strong aroma, and it tends to give the finished drink citrusy and floral notes. And because it has acidity and tannin, it's not just sweet - it finishes crisp.
MugiThat's wild! The moment you say barrel nuances, it suddenly feels more grown-up. But if there are eight taps, I want to dive into the beer from there.
Hop BroExactly, that's the fun part: the taps include Garage × LHG, Trap Door IPA, and Bellwoods' Grisette. The range goes from IPA to grisette, so it's a real tasting rabbit hole.
MugiOhh! Grisette is the lighter style, right? If I drink that after an IPA, it sounds like my palate would get a full reset!
Hop BroThat's right. And they also have two beers from Novel Craft Brewing, Splore and Sweep, so they're making sure to show their own beers too.
MugiHaving all that right near the station is unfair! It feels like a casual beer in Chitose-Karasuyama, and if I stopped by on a whim I'd probably end up staying a while!
Hop BroStart slowly with the cider, then move to a hop-forward IPA, and finish with a lighter lager-style beer. That's a flow that makes you want to drink.
MugiYeah, I'm already thirsty just imagining it! This is the kind of place where you'd say, this is my pick for tonight's drink!
