Niichi Brew Cave

21 Brew Cave is read as "Niichi Brew Cave," and there is actually a very deep meaning behind this "21."

The owner, Mr. Saito, used to work in childcare, and he has a child with Down syndrome. Down syndrome is linked to the 21st chromosome, so that is where "21" comes from. He started this shop with the hope of creating a place where his child could work in their own way.

They opened in Hibarigaoka in December 2021 as a beer bar, and while working as a childcare worker, he also taught himself how to brew beer. In May 2024, they obtained a brewing license and became Nishi-Tokyo City's first craft beer brewery.

Their in-house brewing brand is "West Tokyo Brewing." The first batch apparently had a slightly sweet, straightforward flavor, and since then they've been brewing batch after batch and steadily evolving. Right now they operate with six taps, serving both their own beer and guest beers.

The word "Cave" in the shop name means a cave, so it has a hidden, underground hideaway feel. There is also terrace seating, and you can see the brewing tanks. They also have a location in Marunouchi and serve a selection of craft beers there.

Creating a place where people with disabilities can work at their own pace, through beer. I think having a brewery like this shows how broad and generous craft beer can be.