Bruntons combines Yokohama history with carefully selected craft beer in a convivial and welcoming atmosphere. Since relocation from its previous perch in Motomachi across the canal to the edge of Chinatown, owners Kimiko Kawano and Scot Coey have created a distinctive interior within a renovated old house. The result should make newcomers and regulars alike feel right at home. The exterior, with bright primary colors, fits Chinatown aesthetics and makes it hard to miss.
Scot and Kimi maintain a weekly rotation of their five taps (plus a real ale tap), exclusively Japanese craft beer from both near and far. They are partial to Loco, Ebina, Hansharo, and Numazu Craft, but also offer reliable beers from Minoh (Osaka) and Daisen G (Tottori). Regular coordination with other local bars ensures that the beer on tap cannot be found elsewhere at any given time. Draught sizes are 280 ml and 473 ml (typically ¥800 and ¥1400) and 568 ml for real ale. Enjoy your beer while listening to unobtrusive jazz.
The food menu is short but healthy, with vegan options always available. A particular favorite is shepherd’s pie. With unpredictable COVID restrictions in mind, the focus has shifted to off-license sales of over 20 brands in cans and bottles, such as Hideji (Miyazaki), Be Easy (Aomori), and some US and Scottish imports, as well as hard-to-find mead.
The first floor features a small counter space and off-license store. However, be sure to climb the stairs to enjoy the imaginative design above, with the theme of “House and Garden”. It’s ideal for a quiet solitary quaff or a friendly foursome, surrounded by flowering plants. Yokohama’s Meiji heyday is on display, including the remarkable career of Scottish engineer Richard Brunton. He inspired Scot, born in Scotland and a first-generation immigrant to British Columbia’s west coast, to open the bar in the city where he and Kimi have spent much of their lives.