The Home of Craft Beer in Kyoto
Four years since it first opened, the Irish pub formerly known as Mc Loughlin’s has been renamed as Tadg’s. Not a big change really, as I think everyone was calling it that anyway. I’ve written previously about this pub; its friendly hospitality and the fantastic views over the river and city. 
And Tadg’s cooking is also justifiably renowned; he uses locally grown organic vegetables in his many fine creations and the menu features an impressive vegan section. All that aside though, this bar’s most impressive feature is the selection of craft beers: Rogue, Ise Kadoya, Minoh, Yeti Imperial Oak and Victory at Sea… I had a snifter of the latter last night; a fine coffee flavored porter with hints of bitter chocolate like nothing I’ve ever tasted before. Absolutely gorgeous.
Writes Tadg:
We continue our quest for great beers, at the moment we have 10 dedicated craft taps and are currently in the process of installing a new cold room with the addition of 15 new taps. We are also negotiating with the top US importer for some of the greatest beers on the Planet (well the greatest beer in the US of A) and some amazing Japanese beers too.
Bear in mind also that though the standard price for a pint of craft ale is 1200 yen, at Tadg’s it’s only 1000. Great taste at great value; this place is a beer affciondao’s dream! Now, Tadg’s Irish pub has a couple of likely looking events coming up of which you can read more below.
Friday 4th June Come on and party with the The Wild Cards & surprise guest artists. Mr Kuzel and his band of desperados will kick off the gig round 8.30pm.
Here are the happy hour prices from 6pm-8pm: A pitcher of German beer at 1,500 yen,
Tequila at 400 yen a shot, and cocktails at 500 yen.
There will also be a free bar snack buffet from 6pm~8pm.
Saturday 12th June – Is the official relaunch party of Tadg’s Irish Pub. There will be a free buffet, a band and spot prizes. The band is The Flaming Strings (featuring John Kuzek of Wildcards fame) and they will be playing from 8pm till late. Says Tadg: it should be legendary.
To find Tadg’s walk straight up Kiyamachi from Sanjo, before you get to Oike you should see the Empire building on your right. Tadg’s is on the 8th floor. To the right is a most convenient map. Click on it for a better look.
Delighted to hear more beers coming to Kyoto…..but great American beers, surely that`s an oxymoron!
Ah, Tim. The great debate! Is there good beer in the good ole US of A? Without naming and shaming the usual suspects the simple answer is: YES! Since the early ’70s small independent breweries have been springing up all over the US, using traditional brewing techniques and in some cases pretty exotic ingredients. These breweries have gone on to brew some of the greatest beers on the planet, much sought after and revered by real beer aficionados all over the world.
Here are but a few of my personal favourites:
The Great Divide brewery in Colorado produces Yeti Imperial Oak (an aged chocolate vanilla coffee stout; an experience for mind and pallet and at 10% it packs a punch!)
Rogue in Oregon is the Daddy of craft beer brewers in America. Rogue have been consistent gold medal winners in all categories (beer, ale, porter etc) since 1988.
Green Flash Brewing of Vista,California.
Ballast Point of San Diego,California.
Bear Republic, California.
Pizza Port, California.
Speakeasy.
Stone Brewery….
Tim, if you just take Yeti Imperial Stout; I have witnessed grown men speak of this stout in hushed reverential tones, weeping at the mere memory of a quaffed glass. I could tell you of the time I drank my first pint of Stone Ruination, the Holy Grail of IPAs and had a spiritual experience or the cold winter’s night myself and the Beer Professor sat up all night after several snifters of Old Crustacean, Rogue`s 15% barley wine (its a beer) discussing salvation and organic gardening… but Tim there are kegs to be tapped and pints to be poured. Dont just take my word for it, all of the above we have or are on their way – along with some amazing Japanese beers too! Judge for yourself!
Cheers !
Tadg
http://kyotoirish.com
Jeez,
there is depth in knowledge.
Right Mr Tadg, I am willing to re-consider, perhaps an evening with those beers above will banish the nightmares spent in the company of the king of beers. I was young and foolish. Budweiser was cheap and plentiful.
I`ll be by sometime.
By the powers vested in me by the Gods of debachuery and the holy saints of the Hop flower, I pronounce you cleansed of all your beeric transgressions. Welcome Brother Tim,we have been waiting for you and its YOUR ROUND!
The US “craft” beers at Tadg’s are awesome and, as Tadg describes, they are a world apart from mass-produced beers (so are their Japanese counterparts, for that matter). Some of them are modeled after traditional European beers and others are renegade beers made by brewmasters blazing their own trails. What they have in common is that they are produced by people who are nuts about making brews with natural ingredients and methods – brews that can stand up to the complexity of wines (and go with all kinds of foods). Great selection and way to go, Tadg!