Belgium is a relatively small country and yet it boasts more specialist and boutique breweries than any other nation on earth. Tokyoites have, for more than a decade, been enjoying Belgium's finest at a handful of Belgian beer bars, like the original Brussels and more recent Belgo chains -- though, without exception, these bars are more personalized than the word "chain" suggests.
Belgo is conveniently located near Shibuya Station. It was opened six years ago by Yoshihiro Takahashi, who developed a taste for Belgian brews through his work as a travel agent. While still running a successful travel agency, he opened Belgo in 1997 and then branched out with Frigo and Favon, in Shinjuku and the Ginza, respectively.
Each of Takahashi's stores is well-stocked with a broad range of Belgian beers, with a minimum of 100 different brews available on any given night. And each bar features the same system, with refrigerators located at the bar's center, where customers can easily browse the current lineup of beers. The fridge's contents is the menu, so browsing is not so much encouraged as required.