July 16, 2009
Great selection, second only to Popeye’s. Very pricey, even for Tokyo. For example, a Pint of Green Flash was about 1500yen (US$15), so bring a fat wallet. Was a smoky place but they just opened a new room next door which is non-smoking (but standing only).

May 12, 2009
Definitely a must stop in Tokyo. Very good selection, with interesting imports and older beers. Not the best atmosphere, but fine. Guys seem to know their stuff, but it was too busy when I went to talk to them. Definitely very expensive--one of the highest in the area. Hand pump beers from Yo-Ho were cheap, though.

April 21, 2009
Great place to try some special brews. Very expensive and doesn’t quite have the atmosphere of popeyes or other places. Only really worth going to If they have something on tap you really want to try or you have cash to burn

August 17, 2008
Very cool place in an interesting part of Tokyo. Had a very distinctive Japanese feel...if that makes any sense at all. Pretty small. Maybe 7-10 tables and room for another 10 at the bar. Very nice selection of Japanese micros along with some American stuff...Stone and Rogue to name two. Very expensive, but I felt the need to try 4-5 Local brews. They ranged from good to borderline awesome. Staff was very friendly, but spoke almost no english. Thanks to TimE for being my interpetur. Pretty sure you could get by without knowing the language...beer is spoken fluently here. If I’m in Tokyo again,this will be on my shortlist.

July 6, 2008
Pretty nice restaurant with a great tap list. About 3 stops south of Shinjuku on the Odakyu line. Went there with TimE, Cappa, and a few people from his beer club. A great place to take a date, because of the restaurant like feel, but far too expensive to just try some beers, because of the environmental pressure to buy food. They do have a bar, where I suppose you could drink without ordering food, and that is what I recommend, unless you have money burning holes in your pocket. I tried 1 beer and 1 sample and spent $31. Ouch! On the plus side, I opened a ’06 BA speedway bottle I brought myself and they were cool about letting us open it. Everyone had a sample, including the staff who enjoyed it too.

June 1, 2008
At first I thought I walked into the wrong place. Itstruck me as a new age version of a traditional Japanese eatery. Thank goodness I eventually saw the array of taps behind the bar. The Master welcomed me warmly and gave me a menu of all the beers and food they have. I looked at it and tried to pretend I could read Japanese but before I could get a word out he laughed and asked me what type of beer I like (Meaning no English menu). From there things just kept getting better. The 20 taps and 3 hand pumps had beers you don’t normally see even at the better beer bars around Tokyo. Plenty of Ji-Beer and an assortment of international brews as well. Rouge was the American offering. I had a few of there offerings and all were at the proper temperatures and pulled with care. Prices weren’t bad- for Tokyo. I only had the cheese plate to eat but it was tasty and very well presented which went with the classy but not overbearing mood of the joint. Smoking is permitted. I’d say that Ushi-Tora and Popeyes are the main players in Tokyo but Ushi-Tora doesn’t get any where near the attention. I’ll definitely be back.

February 19, 2008 [ Updated May 3, 2008 ]
Meet the future of the Japanese beer scene. Ushi-Tora is at the cutting edge of craft beer bars in Tokyo, specializing in Ji-Biru (regional craft beer from Japan). It is owned & operated by 2 young beer geeks who seem pretty hardcore...in a good way. I was lucky enough to be there when an interpreter was on hand so communication was both easy & fun. These guys are not afraid to throw down and tell you what they think, good or bad. I like that. Their obvious passion for beer spills out from each tap, easily the most thoughtful draft line up I saw in Japan. Do not miss this place if you go to Tokyo. Note: I rated 11 out of 15 for selection because I am comparing to all beer bars in the world. If it was just Japan, it would be a 14-15. Same with the overall rating (17). If it were just Japan, it would be a 19. We didn’t have food.

September 7, 2007
Nice place easy to find on Time i have this comment 1st aniversery and 50 meters in front of you. Tasted 10 beers on draft that were not availlable at Popey

August 30, 2007
Check out my article for pics and comments about this excellent ji-biru bar: http://www.ratebeer.com/Beer-News/Article-687.htm

August 10, 2007 [ Updated August 19, 2009 ]
About 23 taps (second most in Japan?) that rotate with a few selections you won’t see elsewhere in the city, including Fast Impact which Baird specially made for its 2nd anniversary, but has now become a regular. The difference between here and Popeye’s is the selection changes dramatically here. In one week almost all the taps could be differenent than the week before, which is great for us living in Japan. Prices are also about the highest in Tokyo. Owners are friendly. Pretty laid back place that is best not for large groups. Last time I was here with MartinT, we ate some pickeled smoked vegetables that tasted like good smoked cheese. Very odd, but no one was complaining at all. From Shimokitazawa take the south exit and immediately turn left and walk along the rail tracks until the crossing. Turn right (supermarket on left hand side). At the end of the supermarket turn left. It is on the second floor of the building 20 meters in front of you. Open late and not open for lunch. Since they opened the second place (two doors down) they have about 35 taps, which are always rotating and very interesting. Rating reflects the new selection