Preston - Brown Ale

Preston - Brown Ale - Ibaraki Prefecture - 4% - US Pint @ The Aldgate Pub:
Taste: A good amount of malty taste, not very bitter, and semi-sweet, hops are hiding somewhere I guess..
Smell: Sweet- more-so than in taste, malt, banana nut bread popped into my head.
Looks: Brown-ish/red, no head, no lace, no carbonation, a very clear beer here.Verdict: While not a bad ale- I was not completely impressed with this Brown. I could never fully recommend this over a Hakusekikan brown variety, and definitely not over the amazing East Coast browns back home (Brownstone by Sixpoint, Brooklyn Brown by Brooklyn Brewery, or Old Brown Dog by Smuttynose).

Keel's Lager - by Hitachino Nest

Hitachino Nest - Keels Lager '09 (a Dry Dock original) - Ibaraki Prefecture - ? ABV - 330 ml bottle @ The Dry Dock:
Taste: In your face hops, nice sharp bitter bite, hops drown out any other flavors that might be in there!
Smell: Hops of course, some malt, and a faint trace of fruits.
Look: A beautiful deep copper red/orange with a brown tint, slightly cloudy, poured with head, but little lace retention- hardy any actually, and not really carbonated.Verdict: I really enjoyed this beer; very reminiscent to Dogfish Head 60 Minuet but more intense! One of the best Japanese American-style IPAs I have had and fully recommend this to any hop-head.

Preston - Pale Ale

Preston - Pale Ale - Ibaraki Prefecture - 5% - 330 ml bottle @ La-Cachette bar:
Taste: Light to medium hops and malts- not too bitter nor sweet; subtle fruitiness- apple, orange, peach; clean, crisp & refreshing.
Smell: Whiff of hops, sweetness, honey.
Look: Golden-yellow, light brown body, a little hazy, poured with head, left behind some lace.
Verdict: I go to pale ales to escape the intensity of IPAs- if I want a hoppy ale I simply order an IPA- so I can't say I was disappointed with the low intensity of the hops. This turned out to be the refreshing beer I was looking for. How about it as a Pale Ale though? Okay I guess... I can't complain; though at this point I gotta admit I'm not sure how into Preston I am...