Kinshachi - Weizenbock

Kinshachi - Weizenbock - Aichi Prefecture - ? ABV - US Pint @ Bulldog pub:
Taste: This is a sweet beer, rich in wheat and some of that banana/bubble gum flavor you expect from this class of beer, albeit not as light as a regular weizen.
Smell: Banana aroma, wheat, sugar.
Look: A beautiful multi-toned brown, poured with head and had great lace retention.
Verdict: This "limited edition" beer was very good, and one of the few weizenbocks I have ever had - so all I can say is that this was a unique beer for me and I thoroughly enjoyed drinking it ;-)

Kinshachi - IPA

Kinshachi - IPA - Aichi Prefecture - 7% - US Pint @ Bulldog pub:
Taste: Hops make their presence known, nice bitterness, malt, has a big taste, butter, sweetness of raisins or dates.
Smell: Hops and toasted malts.
Look: A clear amber brown body, a deep caramel, medium body, a thin head, though with great long lasting lacing.Verdict: This is in the style of an American IPA and therefore is a winner in my book. Kin-Shachi beers have been good to me, this one is no different. I've reviewed this same beer from a bottle- check it out to compare. Recommended.

Bulldog - World Beer Pub

Bulldog is a "world-bar" - the decor is primarily wooden, giving a sense of an Irish pub, UK tavern or a bar you might see in Anywhere USA -- excepts that it's located inside on the second floor of a mega-mall.
You wouldn't know it though once inside; decorating the walls are miscellaneous beer branded posters which don't give insight to a particular regional theme, knick-knacks adorn the ceiling cross-beams and an array of glasses hang by their stems above the bar.
Although typical in many ways- this is not a bland or boring bar by any means; its located in the heart of Ginza (think 5th Ave on steroids), has decent prices, and is hosted by a very friendly staff whom all of speak English enough to guarantee you get what you ordered. When I stumped a waitress with a question the Bartender was more than welcome to come out from behind the bar and explain to me the differences between two similar beers.
What I also really like about this bar is the opportunity to "people watch" - one of my favorite drinking activities. Looming over Sotobori Dori provides a scenic view of the bustling street which never ceases in activity or entertainment.

But I really go here for the beer, of which Bulldog offers at any given time 4 taps devoted to jibiru; here are some of the beers I have been sober enough at the time to document:

Kinshachi - IPA

Kinshachi - Weizenbock

Fujizakura Kogen - Octoberfest Weizen

Baeren - Rye

Kinshachi - IPA

Kinshachi - IPA - Aichi Prefecture - 7% - 330 ml bottle:
Taste: I got a sweet and hoppy taste from this IPA, detected malt, and raisins contributing to the sweetness.
Smell: Sweet to the nose as well, honey, and dried fruits.
Looks: A deep caramel, an average head and decent lacing.Verdict: I gave this beer on draft a positive review and it's no different here. A great strong IPA; I really enjoy strong brews- you don't have to drink as much to get going; the trick is to find that balance between taste and ABV- Kinshachi nails it here!
Pairing notes: I happened to drink this while eating a lunch box in which there were some caramelized onions, I couldn't help but to note how good this beer went with their sweet roasted taste.

Minoh - WIPA

Minoh - WIPA (double IPA) - Osaka - 9% - 1/2 pint - @ The Cat & Cask Tavern:
Taste: Layers of sweetness: raisins, dates, sugars, syrups, hint of red wine, hops are present but drowned out- you taste them in the background.
Smell: Honey, syrup, alcohol whiffs, faint trace of malts & hops.
Looks: Almost purple in color, deep violet brown, no head, no lace.Verdict: Tastes so much more like a barley wine than an IPA. The quality in ingredients is definitely there, but I could never recommend this to someone thirsting for an IPA. This is a nightcap beer with its extreme sweetness and high ABV.

Shiga Kogen - IPA

Shiga Kogen - IPA - Nagano Prefecture - 6% - US Pint @ The Cat & Cask Tavern:
Taste: Fresh hops, grapefruit-y, peachy, lightly toasted, medium malts, caramel, dryness, pine, tart.
Smell: Citrus, orange, hoppy aroma.
Looks: Dark amber, deep red/orange; pours with white head.Verdict: I really enjoy Shiga Kogen, one of my favorite Japanese brewers; they do an American style very good, quality on par with West Coast breweries! This is a great hoppy & potent IPA!

Shiga Kogen - Draft Pale Ale

Shiga Kogen - Draft Pale Ale (Harvest Brew) - Nagano Prefecture - 5.2% - US Pint @ The Cat & Cask Tavern:
Taste: Some malt presence, heavier on the hops, grapefruit and other citrus, hints of other fruits, clean & refreshing taste.
Smell: Hoppy aroma with whiffs of citrus, and fruit blend.
Looks: Golden color, very clear, pours with head of which there is good retention, as well as lacing.
Verdict: This is the kind of beer I like, an American-style Ale, heavy on the hops, citrus in place for balance, malt present but in the background. This would fit the American pallet very nicely.
Notes of interest: The DPA is limited to draft only; it uses pilsner malt and four types of American and British aroma hops that produce its strong nose.