Motoyamacho Brewery introduces HAZY IPA “HOTARU” at Sannomaru BEER GROOVE
Motoyamacho Brewery has introduced its new HAZY IPA, “HOTARU,” which was released at Sannomaru BEER GROOVE. The beer uses Ibaraki-grown Mikamo Golden malt and is described as combining tropical aroma, a silky mouthfeel, and a crisp finish.
Hop BroToday’s topic is HAZY IPA HOTARU. Motoyamachi Brewery in Mito just introduced it after releasing it at Sannomaru BEER GROOVE.
MugiWait, the one from Sannomaru BEER GROOVE!? Anyone who spotted it there gets instant bragging rights!
Hop BroExactly, and it uses Ibaraki-grown Mikamo Golden malt, so the local character is a huge part of the appeal.
MugiMikamo... Golden...? Mikamo Golden malt sounds less like an ingredient and more like a finishing move!
Hop BroNot a finishing move. It’s a local malt that gives the beer a soft, rounded richness, which is a big part of HOTARU’s personality.
MugiOhhh, so a hazy IPA isn’t just bitter, it can also have tropical juicy aromas like that?
Hop BroExactly right. HOTARU has a silky, velvety body, but it still finishes clean, and that contrast is the clever part.
MugiHold on, rich and crisp at the same time? That’s the best of both worlds. Does your mouth even know how to process that!?
Hop BroIt processes it by voting unanimously for delicious. The brewery even describes it as bitter, wistful, deep, fleeting, and sweetly aromatic, which is wildly poetic.
MugiThat’s ridiculous in the best way. A firefly-night vibe as a beer name is unfairly charming.
Hop BroAnd Motoyamachi Brewery keeps brewing in a backstreet spot in Mito, with pours available on weekends at Motoyamachi Beer Stand.
MugiAnd if they’re bringing it to the Mito Komon Festival, I want to chase it down there and then drink it again at the taproom!
Hop BroThat’s the move. The moment you hear it’s a local event-born release, you start wanting a glass immediately.
Motoyamacho Brewery, a small brewery operating in the back streets of Motoyamacho in Mito, introduced its new HAZY IPA “HOTARU.” According to the post, the beer was first released at Sannomaru BEER GROOVE, so visitors to the event may already have seen it on tap.
The brewery says “HOTARU” was brewed with Ibaraki-grown Mikamo Golden malt. Its flavor is described with the phrase “bitter, bittersweet, rich, ephemeral, and sweetly aromatic.” The brewery also notes a silky texture, a touch of thickness, a crisp finish, tropical juicy aromatics, and malt-driven depth. As the name suggests, the beer seems designed with a strong sense of seasonality.
Motoyamacho Brewery is based in Motoyamacho, Mito, and operates the attached taproom Motoyamacho Beerstand mainly on weekends. True to its local identity, the brewery has continued to share limited releases and event beers with a focus on drinking beer close to home.
“HOTARU” fits that approach well: a locally rooted release that moved from an event debut to a broader rollout. The brewery also says it will bring the beer to Mito Komon Festival, giving fans another chance to find it in the wild.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday’s topic is HAZY IPA HOTARU. Motoyamachi Brewery in Mito just introduced it after releasing it at Sannomaru BEER GROOVE.
MugiWait, the one from Sannomaru BEER GROOVE!? Anyone who spotted it there gets instant bragging rights!
Hop BroExactly, and it uses Ibaraki-grown Mikamo Golden malt, so the local character is a huge part of the appeal.
MugiMikamo... Golden...? Mikamo Golden malt sounds less like an ingredient and more like a finishing move!
Hop BroNot a finishing move. It’s a local malt that gives the beer a soft, rounded richness, which is a big part of HOTARU’s personality.
MugiOhhh, so a hazy IPA isn’t just bitter, it can also have tropical juicy aromas like that?
Hop BroExactly right. HOTARU has a silky, velvety body, but it still finishes clean, and that contrast is the clever part.
MugiHold on, rich and crisp at the same time? That’s the best of both worlds. Does your mouth even know how to process that!?
Hop BroIt processes it by voting unanimously for delicious. The brewery even describes it as bitter, wistful, deep, fleeting, and sweetly aromatic, which is wildly poetic.
MugiThat’s ridiculous in the best way. A firefly-night vibe as a beer name is unfairly charming.
Hop BroAnd Motoyamachi Brewery keeps brewing in a backstreet spot in Mito, with pours available on weekends at Motoyamachi Beer Stand.
MugiAnd if they’re bringing it to the Mito Komon Festival, I want to chase it down there and then drink it again at the taproom!
Hop BroThat’s the move. The moment you hear it’s a local event-born release, you start wanting a glass immediately.
