Cranc Beer Review: Standing-Style Craft in Itabashi

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Tokyo Brewery Hopping: Cranc Beer Complete Review – Standing-Style Craft Beer in Itabashi

This article is based on past tasting experiences and was updated in June 2025.

この記事でわかること

  • The atmosphere and standing-bar style at Cranc Beer in Itabashi
  • Detailed tasting profiles of the Rye IPA, WCIPA, and guest beers we tried
  • Directions from Itabashi-Kuyakushomae Station and nearby beer spots
Hop-kun
Hop-kun

Cranc Beer is a small nano-brewery that focuses on IPAs, brewing once or twice a week! They specialize in beers that highlight hop character, like Rye IPA and WCIPA!

Riho
Riho

The name “Cranc” comes from the bicycle crank! Owner Mr. Hiraga is a cycling enthusiast who made a unique career change from scaffolding work to brewing.

Rune-chan
Rune-chan

It’s a neighborhood brewery tucked right next to a public bathhouse! The DIY interior with malt drum tables is really exciting!

この記事でわかること

  • Basic info and atmosphere of Cranc Beer
  • Tasting notes and characteristics of the craft beers we tried
  • How to get there and crowd levels during our visit
  • Nearby beer spots for brewery hopping

We visited Cranc Beer, a brewpub in Itabashi, Tokyo. Founded by two beer lovers, this brewery offers house-made beers crafted with carefully selected ingredients and a unique guest beer selection. We cover our tasting notes, the atmosphere, and how to get there.

Rune-chan
Rune-chan

What’s a brewpub? Is it a shop and a brewery combined?

Riho
Riho

That’s right. A brewpub combines a brewery and a pub in one facility. They serve beer while brewing it on-site or nearby. The appeal is enjoying freshly brewed beer at peak freshness.

お店情報

About Cranc Beer

A brewpub in Itabashi, Tokyo. Founded by two beer enthusiasts, this brewery has earned high praise among craft beer fans. Their direct taproom serves ultra-fresh original beers brewed on-site.

Rune-chan
Rune-chan

What makes craft beer different from regular beer?

Riho
Riho

Craft beer is made by artisan brewers in small batches, not mass-produced. It features distinctive flavors, aromas, and experimental styles reflecting the brewer’s passion. The appeal is a much wider variety of flavors than major brand beers.

Here is a reference article from Beer Cruise. It is a detailed feature – check it out to learn more about Cranc Beer.

Tokyo Brewery Hopping: Cranc Beer Complete Review - Standing-Style Craft Beer in Itabashi - 画像8
クランクビール

Business Hours

Dayhours
Mondayclosed
Tuesday9:00〜22:00
Wednesday17:00〜22:00
Thursday17:00〜22:00
Friday17:00〜22:00
Saturday15:00〜22:00
Sunday15:00〜22:00
*Business hours are as of writing (November 23, 2022). Check official social media for the latest.

Crowd Levels

When we visited on a Saturday afternoon, it was not too crowded and we had no trouble getting in as a pair. There was still room for a few more after we entered. Weekends tend to be busier than weekdays, so arriving right at opening is recommended.

Rune-chan
Rune-chan

初めて行くときって緊張するワン…どんなatmosphereのお店なの?

Riho
Riho

Cranc Beer has a casual standing-bar atmosphere. It is a friendly space where even craft beer beginners feel comfortable. The staff is kind – ask “What do you recommend?” and they will suggest a beer to match your taste.

Atmosphere

standing bar-style atmosphere. Many customers would pop in for a quick drink or two before heading out. The interior is on the smaller side, so be mindful during busy times. A casual space where beer lovers gather, welcoming for first-timers.

Official Website SNS

Check the latest news and limited beer releases on Cranc Beer’s official website and social media below. New beer info is often posted on social media first, so check before visiting.

accessと二件目候補

It is about a 15-minute walk from the station, so keep that in mind. It is a leisurely 15-minute stroll from the nearest station.

Map showing Cranc Beer and nearby spots
Cranc Beer relative to nearby craft beer spots

TAW is a 13-minute walk. It is on the way back to Itabashi Station, which is convenient. You can stop by for a drink. For brewery hopping, we recommend combining Cranc Beer and TAW.

Rune-chan
Rune-chan

What’s a second stop? Drinking beer at different places?

Riho
Riho

That’s right. Craft beer fans often do bar hopping – visiting multiple breweries. Cranc Beer and TAW are both within walking distance, so you can compare each place’s unique beers. Tasting beers from different breweries deepens your craft beer appreciation.

Beers We Tried

Tap List

Cranc Beer tap list with 3 original beers and guest beers
Tap list at the time of our visit (November 2022)

They had 3 taps of original beers. The guest beer selection also showed excellent taste. We spotted BAGBY beer for the first time. They serve rare beers hard to find elsewhere, satisfying even beer connoisseurs.

Rune-chan
Rune-chan

What is a “tap”? Does it mean a type of beer?

Riho
Riho

“Tap” refers to a beer server faucet. “3 taps” means 3 types of original beer are being served. At craft beer bars, “what’s on tap today” is key. “Guest beers” are beers sourced from other breweries.

Beer Tasting Notes

Bagby Beer Company – Kölsch

透明感のある黄金色のKolschbeer。白い泡が美しく、グラスに注がれている様子
Bagby Beer Company’s Kolsch

We started with Bagby’s Kolsch. A Kolsch is perfect for the first beer. Clean, refreshing aroma, and a beautifully smooth Kolsch with nothing out of place. A brewery founded by someone who won numerous awards at Stone and Pizza Port. I had only seen the name in magazines, so I was thrilled to try it.

[Beginner’s Guide: Kolsch]

Kolsch is a traditional beer style from Cologne, Germany. Brewed as a top-fermented ale but cold-conditioned like a lager – a hybrid beer. Light golden and clear, with delicate malt sweetness and gentle hop bitterness. An elegant beer with refreshing drinkability.

Flavor ElementIntensity (1-5)特徴
苦味2/5Mild and refreshing bitterness
甘味2/5Delicate malt sweetness
酸味1/5Barely noticeable
ボディ2/5Light and crisp mouthfeel
Aroma Intensity3/5Refreshing grain and herbal aroma

CRANC – Rye IPA

クランクbeerのオリジナルライIPAとWCIPA。琥珀色と透明度の高いbeerが2杯並べられている
Cranc Beer’s Rye IPA and WCIPA

Here are Cranc Beer’s original brews. The one in back is the rye IPA.Beautiful clarity was impressive. Dank hop nuances combined with spicy rye notes made for a very appealing flavor. An excellent IPA balancing complexity with drinkability.

[Beginner’s Guide: Rye IPA]

Rye IPA uses rye malt in addition to standard barley. The distinctive spiciness of rye adds complexity beyond regular IPAs. A unique style where hop bitterness, citrus aromas, and rye spiciness fuse beautifully.

Flavor ElementIntensity (1-5)特徴
苦味4/5Solid hop bitterness
甘味2/5Subtle malt sweetness
酸味1/5Barely perceptible
ボディ3/5Medium body
Aroma Intensity4/5Dank hops and spicy rye aroma
Rune-chan
Rune-chan

What does “dank” smell like? I have never heard of it!

Riho
Riho

“Dank” literally means “damp” and is often used to describe aromas similar to cannabis. Some hops have complex aromas of pine, grass, and damp earth. Some American hop varieties have this trait, and it is popular among craft beer fans.

CRANC – WCIPA

クランクbeerのWCIPA。琥珀色で泡立ちがよく、グラスいっぱいに注がれている
The Malty WCIPA

The malty WCIPA was also very impressive. I wanted to sip slowly and take notes, but it was so appealing I could not help drinking it quickly. The powerful hop bitterness of West Coast style balanced beautifully with solid malt.

[Beginner’s Guide: WCIPA (West Coast IPA)]

WCIPAはアメリカ西海岸スタイルのIPA。力強いhopsのbitternessと豊かな柑橘系・松のaromaが特徴で、東海岸スタイルやNEIPA(ニューイングランドIPA)と比べるとクリアなAppearanceと強めのbitternessを持ちます。「モルティ」とはmalt由来の甘さや風味が豊かなことを表す表現です。

Flavor ElementIntensity (1-5)特徴
苦味4/5力強く、しっかりとしたbitterness
甘味3/5maltのsweetnessがしっかりと感じられる
酸味1/5Barely noticeable
ボディ4/5しっかりとしたミディアムボディ
Aroma Intensity4/5柑橘系とパインのようなhopsのaroma

フード

クランクbeerで提供されている軽食スナック。シンプルな小皿に盛られた様子
beerのお供に軽いスナック

軽くつまめるスナックを注文しました。甘くておいしかったです。beerとの相性も良く、つまみながら飲むのに最適でした。food menuは限られていますが、beer中心で楽しむ場所なので十分だと感じました。

Rune-chan
Rune-chan

craft beerに合う食べ物って何かあるワン?

Riho
Riho

craft beerには様々なスタイルがあるから、合わせる食べ物も多様だよ。一般的には、IPAなら辛みのあるアジア料理やスパイシーな料理、stoutなら濃厚なチーズやチョコレートデザート、pilsnerやKolschなら軽めの前菜やサラダが合うんだ。でも最終的には自分の好みで楽しむのが一番だね。

全体的な感想

IPAの品質が特に印象的でした。ブラックIPAも飲んだのですが、写真を撮り忘れてしまいました。品質の高さと多様なスタイルのバリエーションは、craft beerファンにとって魅力的なポイントです。駅からやや遠いですが、周りにいろいろなお店があるので、beer巡り/brewing所巡りの選択肢のひとつとして非常にrecommendedできるスポットです。

【Summary:クランクbeerのrecommendedポイント】

  • brewing所併設の新鮮なoriginal beerを楽しめる
  • IPAのバリエーションが豊富で品質が高い
  • センスの良いguest beerのセレクション
  • カジュアルな立ち飲みスタイルで気軽に立ち寄れる
  • 他のcraft beerスポットと組み合わせた巡りも可能
rating項目rating(5段階)Comment
beerの品質★★★★★original beer、guest beerともに高水準
品揃え★★★★☆タップ数は多くないが、選定センスが良い
atmosphere★★★★☆カジュアルで入りやすい立ち飲みスタイル
access★★★☆☆駅から徒歩15分とやや遠い
コストパフォーマンス★★★★☆craft beerの質を考えると妥当な価格設定

よくある質問

Q: クランクbeerは予約できますか?
A: 基本的に予約は受け付けていません。立ち飲みスタイルのカジュアルなお店なので、直接visitすることをrecommendedします。
Q: 初心者でも楽しめますか?
A: はい、とてもフレンドリーなatmosphereのお店なので、craft beer初心者でも気軽に楽しめます。店員さんにrecommendedを聞くと、好みに合ったbeerを提案してくれます。
Q: クレジットカードは使えますか?
A: 主要なクレジットカードが利用可能です。ただし、小さなお店なので、念のため現金も用意しておくと安心です。

日本のcraft beer探訪記

2024年まで日本在住だった筆者が、全国各地のcraft beerシーンを巡る旅の記録を公開しています。北は北海道から南は九州まで、日本全国の個性豊かなbreweryをvisit。蔵元直営のtaproomから地域に根差したビアパブまで、日本のcraft beer文化を体験するレポートを発信中。季節限定brewingや地元食材を活かしたユニークなbeer、杜氏との対話など、日本のcraft beerの魅力を深掘りしたコンテンツはこちらのタグページからご覧いただけます。

Tokyo Brewery Hopping: Cranc Beer Complete Review - Standing-Style Craft Beer in Itabashi - 画像26
Japan
「Japan」の記事一覧です。

アメリカのcraft beer探訪記

現在シアトル在住の筆者が、本場アメリカとカナダのcraft beerシーンを巡る旅の記録を公開しています。ロサンゼルスの人気brewing所からポートランドの隠れた名店、バンクーバーのユニークなtaproomまで、北米各地のbreweryvisitレポートを発信中。地元でしか味わえない限定beerやbrewing家との対話など、北米のbeer文化を深掘りしたコンテンツはこちらのカテゴリーページからご覧いただけます。

Tokyo Brewery Hopping: Cranc Beer Complete Review - Standing-Style Craft Beer in Itabashi - 画像28
USA
「USA」の記事一覧です。

👉 ダンクIPAとは

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Instagram Post

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What did you think of our Cranc Beer visit report? Have you been there or want to go? Share your thoughts in the comments. We’d also love to exchange brewery recommendations around Tokyo.

Overall Rating

Overall RatingScoreComment
Overall★★★★☆ 4.0/5An IPA-focused nano-brewery in Itabashi. High quality and unique guest beer selection

Where to Buy

Find Craft Beer on Rakuten

Explore craft beers from all over Japan on Rakuten!


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