Kansai Beer Lovers Awards 2013

Welcome to the 1st Kansai Beer Lovers Awards!

As there are numerous awards for beers & breweries in Japan but no awards for the bars or shops that dispense our favorite drink I decided it was time for someone to make one. The winners of these prizes get bragging rights and the right to call themselves the best. 

I've broken the awards into 7 categories:

1. Best Bottle Shop in Kansai 
2. Best Bottle Shop in Kansai for Japanese Craft
3. Best Beer Bar in Osaka
4. Best Beer Bar in Kyoto
5. Best Beer Bar in Kyoto for Japanese Craft
6. Best Beer Bar in Kobe
7. Most Improved Bar in Kansai

These awards are based on my extensive research over the past year and feedback I heard from patrons. They are not scientifically voted on in any way though that's something I'd like to do someday. Maybe next year. Anyways, on to the awards!

Best Bottle Shop in Kansai

In terms of depth of selection & quality of service no one comes close to Asahiya's Liquor Shop.

Honorable mention: Craft Beer Base provides a slightly smaller selection(but has a few Asahiya doesn't) & 4 taps in a central location near Umeda Station.

Best Bottle Shop in Kansai for Japanese Craft

In terms of places to buy Japanese Craft beer Yamaoka Saketen is by far your best bet for seasonals & rare releases. His relationship with brewers is so good that he was able to launch numerous beer festivals & events in Kyoto. He's even helped brew beers & requested beers be brewed such as Kyoto Machiya's recent IPA!

Best Beer Bar in Osaka

This was by far the hardest category to judge, tons of good bars have opened in Osaka over the last few years but few seem to be really pulling ahead of the pack. In terms of asking around I rarely got the same answer twice. So I will just leave you with a list of honorable mentions:

Craft Beer Base

Craft Beer Base, 4 taps, a central location & take-away bottles make it a popular choice. Especially if transiting through the Umeda Station.

Tenma Beer Belly

Beer Belly, Minoh Beer's 3 taproom locations including the large new Tenma bar make it easy to drink local beer at good prices. The other locations are Edobori & Higobashi downtown.


Qbrick, the most established bar in Osaka that is still good but not as outstanding as it once was as younger bars catch up.










Kamikaze, located down near Shinsaibashi this place has brought craft beer to a part of town that was a good beer desert.



Yellow Ape Craft, a funky name & a popular Guess The Beer Win The Pint event make this one an up and comer.

Best Beer Bar in Kyoto

Tadg the man himself

Kyoto has a good half-dozen beer bars these days but few can match the selection & variety of Tadg's. 23 taps of craft beer covering both Japanese & Imports that are carefully chosen by Tadg means you won't be finding any sub-standard beers on tap though you will find a ton of IPAs! Not the most balanced of menus in terms of styles but I like that he knows what he enjoys and that his tap list reflects a certain vision.

Best Beer Bar in Kyoto for Japanese Craft

No table charge, decent prices, a stylish location that opens right onto Shijo, 10 taps & friendly staff make Bungalow a winner in my book.

Best Beer Bar in Kobe

This is a fairly easy category to judge as Kobe has two Rokko taprooms & not much else beyond a Belgian bar or two. The winner by a large margin is Rokko Beer Dinner. With their mix of Rokko beers, Guest beers & their new in-house Starboard Brewery beers they have the best selection in town, reasonable prices, tasting sets & a location right in front of Motomachi station. In Hyogo, it doesn't get much better than this.

Most Improved bar in Kansai

This last category popped into my head when I visited Marciero after not having stopped by in 6 months or so. What started as a small somewhat sterile little bar has blossomed into a cool place with character, they now have a well curated tap list and a nice mix of Japanese + Imported craft beer. Kudos guys you did a great job!