So I admit, it was about two years too late. I first heard about Popeye almost two years ago...and I just was able to take my first trip last weekend. I had been missing out.
Oh no...Chuwy on the loose in Popeye!!! And could that be....the Great Phred???
For those of you who may be new readers or are unfamiliar with the great great bar Popeye, let me explain briefly. Popeye has about 70 beers on tap (according to the website and the menu!) and most of the brews are good jibeer. In the craft beer community here in Japan, Popeye is probably the most well known and well respected bar. The proprietor, Aoki-san, can be seen in many a youtube video and many a blog, and his white shirt and back bow-tie have become somewhat of a jibeer icon.
How many beers does your local bar have??? (Notice the Popeye uniform...but that's not Aoki-san!)
I made the trek to Popeye with some good friends, and several new ones. Big thanks to all of the Tokyo craft beer fans for showing us a great weekend. I have said it before and I will say it again, one thing that never ceases to amaze me is the kindness and acceptance of craft beer fans. Our group at the table that night consisted of a Czech guy, an Irish guy, several Japanese, several people from the UK and one lowly Kentuckian. Great times!
Of course Chuwy knew a homebrewer who was there that brought out a bottle to sample!Popeye is somewhat deceiving from the outside at night. But once you step into those doors, you know you have come to the right place! The place was hopping and good beer was found in great abundance!
We were a group of ten, so that means I tasted so many beers!!! Again, most craft beer fans are the type to order a brew--then pass it around for all to sample. There is nothing better than sharing a good beer with friends, and introducing a new beer to someone! I am happy to say that I had several new beers that night, including Swan Lake Amber (normal, cask and through two different Randalls--a great experience!), Fujisakura Wiezen, Iwate Oyster Stout, Ozenoyukidoke IPA, Preston IPA and more....
The Preston IPA was in top shape and was the best beer of the night. Great hop aroma and flavor and great balance---a great overall beer!!!!!!
Of course she had to have her stouts!Once again, thanks to the Tokyo crowd--and thanks Popeye!!!
If you haven't had the chance to get there next, make it priority #1 on your to-do Tokyo list!!!!
10 comments:
Looks like a very cool place and that you had a really good time! The love of beer, it's a great thing!
Very very true Mike!!! A great bar...
Popeye is the best. That's the place I miss most now that I moved out of the Tokyo area.
And I'm sure Popeye's misses you too, Chris. I bet you drank more than a pint, each time you were there. It is a good bar and now that it's non smoking, it's even better.
Prices aren't cheap, though.
It's also a bit of a trek for most people to get to. Aoki san is also heavily involved in lots of craft beer things. Probably the mecca of craft beer in Japan, if not Asia.
Hey DH!
I still haven't made it to Popeye's, so you're not the last guy to make it there...
Thought of you last night, as I enjoyed a nice pint here in Portland -- check out the 2nd beer from the top:
http://everybodysbrewing.com/drink.html
Michi sporting the UK shirt back home! Nice. Just had a Derniere Volonte, Canadian made belgian blond. Made by Dieu du Ciel. All things I can't pronounce or order out loud. It was great. Too expensive to have often, but really good.
I am glad you got there, DH.
I'll recede back to what my bookmark page states: This is Tokyo's number one beer bar, if not Japan's. I put that text in just in case somebody in Fukuoka or Hiroshima E-Mails me claiming, 'I have a wider range of Japanese craft brews!'. OK, OK, maybe you do. But I can't afford to spend that many days in Fukuoka or Hiroshima yet.
If I were ever to open a pub in Tokyo, I fully realize that Beer Club Popeye is the standard by which I would be judged. It would be challenging. But I believe I know the niche into which I could hit. Kentucky has something to do with it.
Anyhow, DH, I am striving to get to Tokyo (| Kawasaki | Yokohama) the last week of March. I have a rare opportunity to witness the Fertility Festival in Kawasaki that weekend. I must capitalize. If you're still in Japan that weekend, you should view it too.
Maybe you guys could view it together.
I think Popeyes must have the biggest, if not then the best range of Japanese craft beer.
Ushi Tora too, excels in good choices of beers, but both bars tend to be on the expensive side of expensive.
>_^
Hope to have a pint with you in March, then, Pudgy.
Pudgy...Im getting married that week, but after the wedding should have a lot of free time!
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