BrewDog opens first Asian bar in Tokyo

Scottish craft brewery BrewDog is opening its first bar in Asia in a move described as a “ninja attack” on the Tokyo bar scene.

BrewDog founders Martin Dickie and James Watt

BrewDog Tokyo will open today and will be the brewer’s third international bar having opened outlets in São Paulo at the end of January this year, and in Stockholm in June 2013.

Located in the Roppongi district of the Japanese capital, the 120-capacity bar brings the Scottish brewery’s total number of bars to 15.

The bar will host 20 beer taps showcasing the BrewDog range as well as guest beers from around the world including Mikkeller, 8-Wired, Yeastie Boys, Minoh, and Shiga Kogen, alongside a menu of cheese and meat platters chosen to pair with beer.

James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog said: “BrewDog Tokyo is a ninja attack on the mainstream beer market in Japan. Our beer has proved hugely popular in Japan so opening a bar in the capital was a no-brainer. The craft beer scene in Japan is booming, with loads of awesome new breweries popping up and we knew we had to be a part of it. Launching our first bar in Asia is a huge deal for us, and a big step towards taking the craft beer revolution truly global.”

He added: “It has been a painstaking operation to ensure that the new Tokyo bar delivers an authentic BrewDog experience and the finished result looks incredible. We’ve shipped chesterfield sofas and ex-cinema seats from the UK, to combine with locally sourced elements to make it a truly unique space.  Roppongi is one of the most exciting districts in the world, and we’re psyched to set up a BrewDog home there.”

The Tokyo bar, previously known as the Cavern Club and used as a gig venue for tribute bands of The Beatles, will host regular beer schools and bottle clubs, giving craft beer fans a chance to learn more about beer tasting.

BrewDog plans to open at least six new sites in the next six months, including a new bar in Sheffield later this month, and was also recently granted licenses at site in Cardiff and Liverpool.

The brewer recently announce record growth for the fifth consecutive year, turning over £17m last year.