Motoyamacho Brewery

Hey, in Motoyamacho in Mito, did you know there's a small brewery tucked away in a residential alley? Motoyamacho Brewery.

Apparently everyone gets lost, too (lol). It's a super-compact setup with only a counter for standing drinks, and the brewing equipment in the back. They're only open Friday through Sunday.

And here's the thing: the lineup is pretty American and really cool. Their flagship is a West Coast IPA called San Diego Drive, the classic kind with a solid hop bitterness and aroma.

They also have a lighter Hazy IPA called Senba Lake 3 Laps, and the fact that they took the name from Mito's Senba Lake shows their local pride. They also have beers like a wheat ale called Aoshigure and an American pale ale called West Village, and their beer names have real style.

People who drink it say things like, 'They're all fresh and highly drinkable.' Since they pour it right there as soon as it's brewed, the freshness is on another level. They also make porter, and some people say they discovered dark beer here.

They have house-made salted pork, salsa chips, and other easy snacks you can grab for less than a coin. There are lots of regulars, and the atmosphere is the kind where conversation naturally starts with the person next to you at the counter.