Buzz: Beer is big in Japan, but until now we’ve only had the chance to sample Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and perhaps Yebisu. That won’t be the case any longer thanks to Charlie Guerrier and the good people at JiBiru Japanese Craft Beer Bar, Singapore’s first establishment that exclusively serves fine Japanese brews.
Décor: Low wooden tables with backless benches and tall wooden tables with backless barstools. Japanese-style curtains and a couple of shoji-screen style embellishments. Very casual, natural and welcoming.
Food & Drinks: Even if you consider yourself a bit of a connoisseur, the beers available here offer something of a magical mystery tour. There are the extensive ranges of Shiga Kogen ($15.50-$16) and Hitachino Nest (from $13.90-$14.90), the latter including Nipponia Ale, a brew made from a traditional variety of barley “resurrected” from old agricultural specimens. As for food, all your Japanese favorites are available—warm and cold soba, tempura and the like. And JiBiru opens for lunch too.
Music: The bustle of the bar and calming running water of 313@somerset’s Discovery Walk are the only aural accompaniments one needs.
Crowd: A mix of locals, expats, lovers of Japanese culture and people who appreciate good beer.
Why you’ll be back: The beer of course. And even after you’ve managed to work your way through their extensive menu, they’ve got seasonal and guest brews like the current Pale Ale.
Video: Director Charles Guerrier pours us a Hitachino Nest red rice beer.
JiBiru Japanese Craft Beer Bar is in I-S Best Bars Guide 2014. Download your copy to see where else you should be partying.
