CRAFT BEER MARKET Tamachi taps CRAFTROCK BREWING’s Sansho Lager
On June 23, CRAFT BEER MARKET Tamachi in Tokyo’s Shiba area featured Sansho Lager from CRAFTROCK BREWING. The lager, which won gold in the Herb & Spice Beer category at the 2026 World Beer Cup, brings Japanese sansho pepper to the tap list.
Hop BroI’ve got a fun tap update today. At CRAFT BEER MARKET Tamachi, CRAFTROCK BREWING just brought back Sansho Lager on tap.
MugiWait, what? Sansho in beer? Is that a drink, or did someone accidentally season the pint like eel?
Hop BroIt’s very much a beer. The style is Lager with Sansho, 5.0% ABV and 20 IBU, with the peppery aroma lifted up while the lager stays crisp and easy.
MugiOkay, but seriously, what is IBU? That sounds less like beer and more like a robot model number.
Hop BroIBU is a bitterness scale, and 20 is fairly gentle. The lager’s fermentation profile stays clean, so the cooling sansho character comes through clearly.
MugiOhhh, I get it now! So it’s spiced but approachable, not one of those beers that punches you in the tongue.
Hop BroExactly, and that balance won it World Beer Cup gold in 2026 in the Herb & Spice Beer category. It’s also a revival of last year’s first brew, made with budo sansho from the famous eel shop Takase in Hachioji.
MugiHold on, eel shop sansho made it into a lager? My brain just paired grilled eel with a beer flight and called it normal.
Hop BroThat’s the charm here. Tamachi’s theme is craft beer and casual French, so this guest beer should work beautifully with their appetizer platter, charcuterie, or fries.
MugiThat settles it. I want the Tamachi appetizer platter and a glass of that refreshing Sansho Lager right now. Let’s go before I start licking the menu.
Featured beer
CRAFT BEER MARKET Tamachi’s June 23 update introduced a guest beer from CRAFTROCK BREWING: Sansho Lager. Listed as a Lager with Sansho, it comes in at 5.0% ABV and 20 IBU. The beer is described as highlighting the aroma and flavor of sansho while still keeping the crisp, approachable character of a lager.
It is also a 2026 World Beer Cup gold medal winner in the Herb & Spice Beer category. According to the post, this is a revival release following a first brew last year that was well received. The beer uses budo sansho from Takase, a well-known eel restaurant in Hachioji. The result is a lager with a clear spice accent, but without losing its clean, refreshing drinkability.
Why Tamachi matters
CRAFT BEER MARKET Tamachi is a beer pub in the Keio-Nakadori shopping street, with a concept centered on “craft beer and casual French food.” The venue rotates roughly 30 craft beers daily, making it a place where guests can enjoy beer and food without any formality.
That setup works well for a distinctive guest beer like Sansho Lager. Dishes such as the shop’s popular Tamachi appetizer platter, charcuterie, or french fries can pair naturally with the beer’s peppery lift and lager finish. For beer fans, it is a convenient place to catch an award-winning release in a relaxed neighborhood setting.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroI’ve got a fun tap update today. At CRAFT BEER MARKET Tamachi, CRAFTROCK BREWING just brought back Sansho Lager on tap.
MugiWait, what? Sansho in beer? Is that a drink, or did someone accidentally season the pint like eel?
Hop BroIt’s very much a beer. The style is Lager with Sansho, 5.0% ABV and 20 IBU, with the peppery aroma lifted up while the lager stays crisp and easy.
MugiOkay, but seriously, what is IBU? That sounds less like beer and more like a robot model number.
Hop BroIBU is a bitterness scale, and 20 is fairly gentle. The lager’s fermentation profile stays clean, so the cooling sansho character comes through clearly.
MugiOhhh, I get it now! So it’s spiced but approachable, not one of those beers that punches you in the tongue.
Hop BroExactly, and that balance won it World Beer Cup gold in 2026 in the Herb & Spice Beer category. It’s also a revival of last year’s first brew, made with budo sansho from the famous eel shop Takase in Hachioji.
MugiHold on, eel shop sansho made it into a lager? My brain just paired grilled eel with a beer flight and called it normal.
Hop BroThat’s the charm here. Tamachi’s theme is craft beer and casual French, so this guest beer should work beautifully with their appetizer platter, charcuterie, or fries.
MugiThat settles it. I want the Tamachi appetizer platter and a glass of that refreshing Sansho Lager right now. Let’s go before I start licking the menu.
