July 16, 2009
Best draft selection in Osaka, and not just house (Minoh) brews either. Interesting, tasty food. Knowledgable staff. Intimate enough you’ll probably start chatting with the other customers-everyone there is a beer lover.

May 30, 2009
Small but nice bar in Osaka. Most of their offerings were Minoh but they did have a couple other brews when I was there. Friendly staff that knew enough English to help out this gaijin. I love the prices in Osaka, so much cheaper than Tokyo. I’d stay away from the uninspired cheese plate. My second favorite bar in Osaka behind Q-Brick.

July 25, 2008 [ Updated January 12, 2009 ]
There are now 2 Beer Bellies about 5 minutes’ walk apart in Osaka. The Higobashi branch is the original, now there is an Edobori branch as well. I am rating the original one here. This is a great place to drink in Osaka. Being the Minoh Brewery tap, they usually have all available Minoh beers (7-9 at at time), plus 4-6 guest Japanese Micros. Usually 2-3 are on handpump. It’s a small, cozy place with some English spoken. Prices are VERY reasonable, especially if you purchase by the Imperial pint (¥900-1000). Food is good and interesting but this place is about the beer. Bar man very friendly and knowledgeable.

February 19, 2008
The best Ji-biru scene in Osaka, hands down. Outside of Popeye in Tokyo, the best local tap selection we found in Japan on the whole. I just wish there was more room for them to have more beers, because I really like their choices. The Minoh Brewery is very well represented here. I think it’s an inside job. We were told that one of the owners (who was our bartender) is married to one of the sisters (there are 3) in the Minoh Brewery family. Once again, what set it apart from other great bars was the range of styles offered. Barleywines, Double IPA’s, Scottish & Scotch ales, Rauchbier, and even a cabernet-aged stout...all on tap. Sure beats the same-same ambers & pales we saw at a lot of other places. Food presentation was great. The Prosciutto carving apparatus is something to behold. Order it. Great location, right on the river on a charming side street. Feels like Europe.

December 1, 2004 [ Updated February 17, 2008 ]
Another really small beer bar in Osaka that just opened at the end of Oct. 2004. They are strictly a draft only place, which is fine with me. The taps are on a semi-rotational basis and if you become friends with the mangement you can ask them to bring in certain beers. They have some type of special relationship with Minoh brewery and always have 5 of their beers on tap, plus one of their beers on cask. They are just starting out so I hope that they are able to refine their selection a little as right now the beers on tap are hit (yona yona barely wine and pale ale, hitachino nest white) and miss (a kolsch that resembled water). Prices are really good for Japanese craft beer and the food is, like the beer, cheap, but in small portion (though very tastey). Near Higobashi station. Should be on the must visit list if you are in Osaka.