Suggesting a deeper way to enjoy a single glass of beer.
Maltheads TEXT/KAGEHIRO WATANABE, PHOTO/FUMIHIRO TATSUKIPast the Tanukikoji arcade, tucked quietly into the basement of a building on Nishi 8-chome, sits “Maltheads.” This is a bar specializing in malt-based drinks — beer and whisky. The bottled beer selection is especially extensive, with around 100 labels on hand. The shop puts particular focus on beers from three cities that sit at roughly the same latitude: Sapporo, Munich in Germany, and Portland in the United States.
Munich and Portland are both celebrated beer-producing cities and sister cities of Sapporo — but even many Sapporo residents don't know that fact. Maltheads highlights beers from these three cities partly as a way to introduce that connection. That said, the shop's policy is to stock a broad, well-rounded selection without limiting itself to any one region. Behind the counter, bottled beers from around the world line the shelves, and draft beer is available too. If you're not sure what to choose, just leave it to owner Sakamaki. Even people unfamiliar with alcohol are sure to discover a whole new way to enjoy beer beyond the usual "let's start with a beer."
Be sure to try the cheese here alongside your beer. In Japan, cheese tends to be associated with wine, but in Belgium, known for its distinctive beers, pairing cheese with beer is common practice. As Sakamaki puts it, "both are products of the European climate, so they naturally go well together."
For those curious about whisky, the "tasting flight" is recommended, letting you sample a variety of labels in small pours. The shop's whisky selection centers on distinctive single malts — as you explore the differences in flavor and aroma, you might just discover a new favorite.
If you want to dig deeper into beer or whisky, this is the place. In a calm space with just 10 counter seats, you can savor your drink at leisure.
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