Bighand Bros. Beer Kyoto: World Beer Cup Winner Taproom
Beer
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Hi there! I’m Riho, a craft beer enthusiast. This time I’m introducing Bighand Bros. Beer, a brewery in the Nishijin (西陣) district of Kyoto (京都) that I visited during my year-end homecoming trip in late 2025.
Tucked away in a Nishijin back alley, this brewery features an open taproom where you can see the brewing tanks through glass walls. I savored their World Beer Cup 2025 bronze medal-winning beers! Their unique concept of naming beers after minerals was also memorable — this is a must-visit when sightseeing in Kyoto.
I took a detour to Nishijin (西陣) in Kyoto during my year-end homecoming! Bighand Bros. Beer has been on my radar for a while — they’re famous for naming their beers after minerals. The taproom was stylish and absolutely wonderful!
What is Bighand Bros. Beer? Mineral-Named Beers from Nishijin, Kyoto (京都・西陣)
Bighand Bros. Beer is a craft beer brewery based in Kyoto’s Nishijin district. Their most distinctive feature is the unique concept of naming each beer after a mineral or gemstone. Built on a foundation of British-style ales with meticulous brewing, they’ve earned international recognition including a bronze medal at the World Beer Cup 2025.
The interior offers an open layout where you can see the large brewing tanks through glass walls — an irresistible space for craft beer fans. The pop, colorful logo on their original glasses is also charming, and the atmosphere is lively and warm with a mix of local regulars and tourists.
Hop-kun
Their British ale base is really interesting! Japanese breweries that focus on British Ale styles are quite rare. And the mineral-naming concept has a cool, scientific vibe to it!
Rune-chan
Beers named after minerals — just hearing that gets me excited! I can’t wait to find out what they taste like!
Beers I Had on This Visit
IPA (Fresh Hop Style)
Style
IPA (India Pale Ale), British ale base
Aroma
Fresh citrusy hops, tropical notes
Taste
Exquisite balance of bitterness and aroma, clean finish
Notes
More approachable British-style finish than an American IPA
Flavor Profile (IPA)
Hop Aroma
Bitterness
Fruity
Body
Drinkability
Bighand Bros. Beer’s IPA struck an exquisite balance of fresh hop aroma and bitterness — I found myself draining the glass before I knew it. True to their British ale base, rather than the aggressive bitterness of an American IPA, the harmony between aroma and bitterness made for an incredibly pleasant drinking experience.
Hop-kun
British IPAs differ from American IPAs in that the malt backbone remains present! English hops like Target and East Kent Goldings impart earthy, grassy aromas. The mouthfeel is smoother with bitterness that unfolds gradually!
Riho
The IPA was so good that I immediately ordered the next beer after my first glass! The bitterness is solid, but the clean finish means you never feel fatigued. For a Japanese brewery, this quality is truly impressive.
Rune-chan
I can tell from Riho’s face that he loves it! The beer aroma filling the whole taproom had my nose twitching!
On-Site Visit Photos
You can also see photos from my visit on Instagram:
Well-reviewed by local Kyoto residents and tourists. Check official Instagram for latest ratings before visiting
Tabelog
No listing
Check official Instagram (@bighandbros) for latest info
Hop-kun
An Untappd score of 3.77 is quite impressive for a relatively new Kyoto brewery! With over 2,000 check-ins, it’s clear that dedicated beer fans are visiting from all over the country!
Awards & Notable Achievements
World Beer Cup 2025: Bronze Medal (Chiastolite / English Mild or Bitter category)
World Beer Cup 2024: Gold Medal (Andalusite / English Mild or Bitter category) — two consecutive years of awards!
Internationally recognized for their authentic British ale-based brewing style
Unique brand concept of naming each beer after a mineral or gemstone
“Andalusite Best Bitter” won Gold at the World Beer Cup 2024, followed by “Chiastolite Dark Mild” earning Bronze in 2025 — achieving awards in two consecutive years. Bighand Bros. Beer’s brewing prowess, challenging the world’s best with traditional British styles, is the real deal. Head brewer Tomoya Nakamura is a former IT engineer who trained at North Brewing Co. in Leeds, UK in 2022 — a distinctive background.
Riho
The World Beer Cup is the world’s largest beer competition! Being able to drink Bighand Bros. Beer’s bronze medal-winning beer at their own taproom felt really special. I’m glad I visited before they get even more famous!
Recommended Items
For those who want to enjoy Kyoto craft beer at home or learn more about British-style ales, here are some recommendations.
Rune-chan
I’d love for you to try craft beer at home too! They make great gifts as well! Check them out on Rakuten!
Overall: ★★★★★ 4.5 / 5.0 A World Beer Cup award-winning brewery you can visit while sightseeing in Kyoto! An outstanding hidden gem.
Riho
Overall, this was an incredibly satisfying visit! Access is a bit inconvenient, but even accounting for that, it’s absolutely worth the trip. If you’re visiting Kyoto, make sure to experience the beer culture of the Nishijin area too!
FAQ
Where is Bighand Bros. Beer and how do I get there?
Located at 1-519 Sasaya-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8453, B1F. It’s approximately a 15-minute walk from Imadegawa Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway, or right at the “Imadegawa Omiya” bus stop. Please check the official Instagram (@bighandbros) for the latest information before visiting.
Why are the beers named after minerals?
It’s Bighand Bros. Beer’s brand concept — each beer is named after a mineral or gemstone. They draw parallels between the unique character and rarity of their beers and those of minerals. They use names of real minerals such as “Chiastolite.”
Which beer won at the World Beer Cup 2025?
“Chiastolite Dark Mild” won a bronze medal at the 2025 World Beer Cup. Dark Mild is a traditional British beer style, characterized by being light-bodied yet richly flavored. Please check the official Instagram for the current tap list before visiting.
Can you see the brewing tanks from inside?
Yes, you can see the brewing tanks through glass walls from inside the taproom. Being able to feel close to the brewery while drinking is one of Bighand Bros. Beer’s key attractions.
What are the opening hours and closed days?
Wednesday through Sunday, 11:30-20:00. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Please check the official Instagram (@bighandbros) for the latest operating information before visiting.
Other Breweries Visited on the Same Trip
On this year-end homecoming trip, I also visited other excellent breweries!
Official information: Instagram: @bighandbros Address: 1-519 Sasaya-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8453, B1F Hours: Wed-Sun 11:30-20:00 (Closed Mon & Tue) Information in this article is based on a late 2025 visit. Please check the official Instagram for the latest information before visiting.
Disclaimer
The beer opinions in this article reflect the personal views of the author (Riho). Beer flavor can vary by individual, and the same beer may taste different depending on the season, condition, and glassware. Hours, menus, and prices are subject to change. Please check the official website or Instagram for the latest information before visiting. You must be 20 years old to drink alcohol in Japan. Drinking and driving is strictly prohibited.
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