Great Places for Beer in Hiroshima

Sep 28, 2022

Great Places for Beer in Hiroshima

As someone remarked, you can’t truly judge a place until you’ve tasted its beer. Like many other regions in Japan and overseas, Hiroshima has recently seen a growth in the popularity of finely brewed beer. It boasts a varied selection of venues, from craft beer microbreweries to more commercial hangouts where you can sample pints of the top sellers. Here are just a few places worth checking out if you’re living in, or just passing through, Hiroshima.

Raku Beer

This “craft beer café” in central Hiroshima, just behind Don Quixote, is the top-rated bar in the city, according to RateBeer. It distinguishes itself from other craft beer bars by focusing exclusively on Japanese products. There are over 15 beers on tap, including a selection of stouts, IPAs, and lambics. If you’re peckish, you can order from the food menu that includes hand-made pizzas. The downsides to this place are that it is pretty small and fills up quickly in the evenings, plus prices are a bit steep (expect to pay around 1,300 yen if you want a pint). However, you can try 100 ml tasters if you’re going to budget yourself.

Website: http://rakubeer.jugem.jp/

KeMBY’s

This American bar is a slightly more mainstream establishment selling mass-produced beers and some craft brews. It’s located close to the Peace Memorial Park and has a western feel, making it popular with expats. You can purchase Asahi and a range of beers on tap and in bottles. Prices are reasonable. Food, including wagyu burgers and pizzas, is served, and there is a pool table.

Website: https://www.kembysbrewpub.com/

Miyajima Brewery

This microbrewery on Miyajima Island is one for connoisseurs. It’s on the first floor above a restaurant and allows ale enthusiasts to pair different beers with tasty cuisine while enjoying the splendid ocean views. Miyajima beers include the Miyajima Weizen, Misen Dragon IPA, Hiroshima Lemon Ale, Oyster Stout, and many more. You can also buy the brewery’s beers in many bars on the mainland and purchase them online.

Website: https://www.miyajima-brewery.com/

Golden Garden

The owners of this pub, which opened in 2007, went on to launch Raku Bar only a stone’s throw away, so it’s no surprise that the place knows a thing or two about nice beer. Although, like Raku, it’s a tad pricey. In contrast to its sister bar, Golden Garden is a world beer specialist, and most of its ales are imported. There are eight brews on draft and more than 100 bottled beers, including a great selection of Belgian beers. The bar’s motto is “happiness is good beer,” so how can you go wrong? Food is also served with an international menu, including German sausages served with sauerkraut.

Website: http://golden-garden.tv/

Hiroshima Neighbourly Brewing

This new brewery and tap room opened in 2020 on the east side of Peace Park, on the first floor of the shopping arcade on Otemachi street. It currently manufactures 16 small-batch craft beers, including IPAs, white beers, wheat beers, stouts, and lemon beers. In addition, you can find a selection of coffee, wines, and cocktails, plus a food menu in the café on the floor above. You can also try out some of the brewery’s beers in Raku and Golden Garden.

Website: https://hnb.beer/

Tatsuo Yamashita, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons