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I recently visited SHIKI BEER, a fantastic craft beer brewpub located in Mizuhodai, Japan. Their Belgian-style beers were absolutely delicious! I’d been curious about this place ever since seeing it featured in “Japan Beer Times” magazine, but hadn’t had the chance to visit Saitama Prefecture until recently. The brewery has relocated from Shiki to Mizuhodai, making it much more accessible from the station. While their previous location in Shiki was a bit difficult to reach, this new spot along the Tobu Tojo Line is extremely convenient. I took advantage of my summer vacation to finally check it out!
ルネちゃん
What exactly is a brewpub? What was your experience like?
りほ
A brewpub is a facility where the brewery and pub are integrated! The main appeal is enjoying beer at its freshest, and SHIKI specializes in amazing Belgian-style flavors. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming – I felt right at home.
What is a Brewpub?
A brewpub is an establishment that combines a brewery and a pub under one roof. These venues brew their own craft beer on the premises and serve it directly to customers. The main advantage is enjoying exceptionally fresh beer right where it’s made. Many brewpubs also offer food designed to pair well with their beers. For beer enthusiasts, brewpubs provide a unique opportunity to observe the brewing process while sampling distinctive house beers that often aren’t available elsewhere.
【Beginner’s Guide: Brewpubs】
Simply put, a brewpub is “a restaurant that makes and serves its own beer.” While ordinary bars and restaurants purchase beer from other manufacturers, brewpubs have on-site brewing facilities to produce their own offerings. It’s similar to how a restaurant chef prepares meals right in front of you – at a brewpub, you can enjoy beer crafted by brewers just steps away from where you’re sitting. Think of it like a winery with an attached restaurant, but for beer lovers.
You can check out my other brewpub adventures here!
SHIKI BEER: Brewpub Information
ルネちゃん
What kind of brewery is SHIKI BEER?
りほ
It’s a small brewery run by a passionate owner-brewer who handles everything himself! He even cultivates his own yeast and dreams of eventually using all locally-sourced ingredients. This is truly an artisanal, craft-focused operation.
About SHIKI BEER
| Company | Y.craft Co., Ltd. |
| Location | 4-6-27 Kamimunedoka, Shiki City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan |
| Official Website | shikibeer.jp |
| Official Social Media | Facebook, Instagram |
| Established | 2018 |
| Brewing Since | 2018 |
| Core Beer Lineup | Crimson, Marigold, Amber, Yellow, Sunset, Lotus 2 |
| Brewing Philosophy | Uses orange peel made from locally-grown bitter oranges, with the goal of eventually sourcing all ingredients locally. All beers undergo bottle conditioning for carbonation. |
SHIKI BEER is a distinctive craft brewery created by an owner who loves the brewing process. The brewer told me he “enjoys making beer more than drinking it” – that’s how passionate he is about brewing! I’ve been curious about this place ever since reading about it in “Japan Beer Times” magazine. Remarkably, he even cultivates his own yeast strains. This is truly a micro-operation, with the owner single-handedly managing both the brewing and the taproom.
For reference, here’s a write-up from Beer Cruise:
SHIKI BEER Operating Hours
Thursday-Friday: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday-Sunday: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
SHIKI BEER Official Websites & Social Media
Official Website
Online Shop
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Location & Nearby Options
ルネちゃん
Where is the brewery located? Any recommendations for a second stop?
りほ
It’s right in front of Mizuhodai Station – super convenient! For your second stop, I recommend “Sakanashu,” a seafood izakaya just a 2-minute walk away. If you’re following the Tobu Tojo Line, “Mugi Zakkoku Kobo” is another great brewpub you can reach directly!
103 Serutesu Mizuho, 1-2-8 Higashi-Mizuhodai, Fujimi City, Saitama Prefecture 354-0015, Japan
Since it’s located right in front of Mizuhodai Station, you can easily access various izakayas (Japanese pubs) in the area. The seafood izakaya “Sakanashu” is just a 2-minute walk away, offering bottled beer, sake, and fresh seafood dishes. Their fresh fish dishes were particularly delicious. Another option for craft beer enthusiasts is “Mugi Zakkoku Kobo,” which is accessible via a direct train ride. I highly recommend exploring these venues when enjoying food and drinks in the Mizuhodai area.
Check out my article about Mugi Zakkoku Kobo here:
SHIKI BEER: The Craft Beers
Craft Beer Tap List
SHIKI BEER’s official website features their current tap list, which is also occasionally updated on their Instagram. Here are the beers that were available during my visit:
【Beginner’s Guide: Saison】
Saison is a beer style originating from Belgium, traditionally brewed for seasonal workers (saison means “season” in French) during the farming season. Typically, it has a light, fruity, and spicy character with moderate acidity and a dry finish. Saisons are more complex in flavor than standard lagers but remain quite approachable, making them an excellent entry point for those new to craft beer.
I started with YELLOW. It had a beautiful clarity and was truly delicious. This was a smooth, natural saison that went down effortlessly. The Belgian yeast character was prominent, making it irresistible for Belgian beer enthusiasts. This is a must-try for any craft beer fan.
ルネちゃん
What are the characteristics of Belgian-style beers?
りほ
They’re known for their vibrant yeast-driven aromas and complex flavors! You’ll typically notice fruity and spicy notes with distinctive yeast-derived aromas. YELLOW had the perfect balance of these qualities, which is why it was my favorite!
| Flavor Profile | Intensity (1-5) | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterness | 2/5 | Mild and approachable, gentle bitterness |
| Sweetness | 3/5 | Natural grain sweetness, Belgian yeast character |
| Acidity | 2/5 | Slight citrus-like acidity, refreshing |
| Body | 3/5 | Light yet substantial enough |
| Aroma Intensity | 4/5 | Vibrant yeast character, fruity and spicy notes |
Next, I tried the Amber. The balance between malt sweetness, vibrant yeast aroma, and appropriate alcohol presence was perfect, making it absolutely delicious.
| Flavor Profile | Intensity (1-5) | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterness | 3/5 | Well-balanced with malt sweetness |
| Sweetness | 4/5 | Complex sweetness reminiscent of caramel and toffee |
| Acidity | 1/5 | Barely perceptible |
| Body | 4/5 | Substantial mouthfeel |
| Aroma Intensity | 4/5 | Fruity aromas from Belgian yeast |
【Beginner’s Guide: Chill Haze】
Chill haze refers to a temporary cloudiness that appears in beer when it’s cold. It’s caused by proteins in the beer that solidify at lower temperatures, but doesn’t affect the quality or taste. As the beer warms up, it often becomes clear again. This phenomenon is common in craft beers, especially those that aren’t heavily filtered. If you prefer a clearer appearance, allowing your beer to warm slightly will help achieve that crystal-clear look.
I also took a photo after the chill haze (cloudiness that appears at cold temperatures) had dissipated. The beer looks exceptionally clear, highlighting the craft beer’s transparency.
This is WHITE. It features spicy citrus-like wheat notes with a gentle mouthfeel and appropriate sweetness, making it extremely drinkable. The vibrant Belgian yeast character is also evident. A customer sitting next to me mentioned they had been curious about this brewery since it was in Shiki, and they were happy it’s now easily accessible from Mizuhodai. They were enjoying their second glass of WHITE.
| Flavor Profile | Intensity (1-5) | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterness | 1/5 | Almost imperceptible, very mild |
| Sweetness | 2/5 | Gentle wheat-derived sweetness |
| Acidity | 2/5 | Slight citrus-like acidity, refreshing |
| Body | 2/5 | Light and creamy mouthfeel |
| Aroma Intensity | 3/5 | Citrus and coriander spicy notes |
【Beginner’s Guide: Belgian Dubbel】
Belgian Dubbel is a beer style originating from Belgian monasteries, and as the name “double” suggests, it’s more concentrated and complex than standard beers. Typically, it features flavors of caramel, raisins, plums, and other dark fruits, complemented by spicy yeast characteristics. It has a deep reddish-brown color and usually contains 6-8% alcohol. Despite its relatively high alcohol content, it maintains a pleasant drinkability alongside its rich complexity.
This was one of two Belgian Dubbels on offer, with an alcohol content of 6.0%. It was rich and delicious, though I found myself wishing for something with a slightly higher alcohol content. This beer is perfect for those who want to experience the rich flavors of a Belgian Dubbel.
| Flavor Profile | Intensity (1-5) | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterness | 2/5 | Mild but rich bitterness |
| Sweetness | 4/5 | Complex sweetness reminiscent of caramel and dark fruits |
| Acidity | 1/5 | Barely perceptible |
| Body | 4/5 | Substantial mouthfeel with complex depth |
| Aroma Intensity | 3/5 | Nuts, caramel, rich yeast aromas |
This beer featured strong alcohol content, rich malt flavors, and intense yeast aromas, making it the perfect finale to my visit. I definitely want to go back for more. This craft beer is highly recommended for beer enthusiasts who appreciate higher alcohol content combined with rich malt flavors and vibrant yeast aromas. I’m looking forward to visiting again to enjoy this outstanding beer.
| Flavor Profile | Intensity (1-5) | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterness | 3/5 | Adequate bitterness to support high alcohol |
| Sweetness | 4/5 | Complex, deep sweetness with premium character |
| Acidity | 1/5 | Barely perceptible |
| Body | 5/5 | Very rich and satisfying mouthfeel |
| Aroma Intensity | 5/5 | Strong yeast aroma with complex fruitiness |
Overall Impressions of SHIKI BEER
ルネちゃん
How was your overall experience? Would you go back?
りほ
Every beer featured the vibrant aromas of Belgian yeast and authentic flavors! The YELLOW Saison was especially outstanding. Being on the Tobu Tojo Line makes it easy to visit Mugi Zakkoku Kobo on the same trip – it’s a Belgian beer lover’s paradise!
Overall, I was impressed by the strong Belgian yeast character present in all the beers. It was quite a moving experience since it’s rare to find this style of beer served in such prime condition. Every beer was thoroughly enjoyable. Additionally, I had the pleasure of hearing many brewing stories from the passionate brewer. I’m truly grateful for the experience.
I ended up making friends with some regular customers and visited a second izakaya afterward. It was both delicious and enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: What is the most popular beer at SHIKI BEER? |
| A: During my visit, the YELLOW Saison was particularly popular. It features a pleasant Belgian yeast aroma and is extremely drinkable. The brewer himself mentioned it was one of his proudest creations. |
| Q: Do I need a reservation to visit SHIKI BEER? |
| A: While walk-ins are welcome, the taproom is quite small and can get crowded on weekends. If you want to guarantee a seat, it’s best to inquire in advance through their social media channels. |
| Q: Can I purchase bottles or take beer to go? |
| A: Yes, some beers are available in bottles. You can purchase them at the brewery or through their official online shop (https://shikibeer.thebase.in/). |
| Q: Are there other brewpubs similar to SHIKI BEER that you’d recommend? |
| A: If you’re following the Tobu Tojo Line, “Mugi Zakkoku Kobo” is recommended. For Belgian beer enthusiasts visiting Tokyo, “Brussels” (a Belgian beer specialty bar) and “Antwerp Central” are also excellent options. |
American Craft Beer Adventures
As a current Seattle resident, I’m documenting my journey through America and Canada’s craft beer scenes. From popular breweries in Los Angeles to hidden gems in Portland and unique taprooms in Vancouver, I’m exploring breweries across North America. My content covers limited-release local beers, conversations with brewers, and deep dives into North American beer culture. You can find these articles on my category page below:
More Brewpub Adventures
Check out my other brewpub adventures here!
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