The Dry Dock

The Dry Dock was a joint I wanted to hit up just on the basis of the name & location alone. To me this is the ideal bar, its got a nautical theme and is in a seedy location- literally directly under the tracks of the biggest train line in Tokyo (the Yamanote Line). What this means is such: its a shady looking place where at no matter the time of day- sunlight ain't gonna reach it; AND every 4 minuets or so the entire structure shakes under the force of the trains passing overhead.
The nautical theme begins from the exterior with some key details; first the structure is submerged so that the first floor is actually 1/2 underground, a few circular nautical windows are in place (just like on a ship) so that you can peek in (or out); next is the front door- it's a beautiful stained wood which also has in-place a circular hatch window; and it's damp (no sunlight remember) adding to the effect of being port-side.

[Above picture "borrowed" from Chuwy Reviews]

The nautical theme is carried over even more so once inside; with more wood paneling and captain's wheel and instruments front & center at the bar! There is an upstairs, but it's sit-down dining only and carries a stiff cover of Y500 per head! If you ain't gonna eat (or with a date) stay below decks at the standing-only bar and save the yen for another round.

The beer selection, while decent, had some flaws that really rubbed me the wrong way. I was expecting to find a decent jibiru selection but the night I was there they had only one or two. They did have some nice American microbrews (courtesy of Nagano Trading) and also some Japanese macros. And not to sound too petty (but I am), they were served in Japanese pint glasses but were priced on par with US pints... and to add insult to injury, were served with a big wasteful head... yeah the worst, I know.

Hitachino Nest - Keels Lager '09

Sumidagawa - Porter

[The Dry Docks website is here]

Ginga Kogen - Weizen (Star Bottle)

Ginga Kogen - Weizen (Star Bottle) - Iwate Prefecture - 5% - 300 ml bottle:
Taste: Common wheat-beer flavors: banana & citrus; hints of custard; light hops; very refreshing; carbonation produces a fizzy sensation.
Smell: Potent banana & citrus aroma, with whiffs of cream.
Look: Cloudy mellow yellow; carbonated; head forms - however no lacing lingers.Verdict: Compared to their Pale Ale this is far better; I really like this weizen, it's simple yet tasteful and refreshing. This is the "star" of the Ginga Kogen lineup! "German Purity Law was declared in Bayern by Wilhelm IV and stipulates that beer is made of only malt, hop and water.
We are brewing beer as "natural food" instead of industrial product according to German Purity Law. So, Ginga Kogen beer is made of only malt, hop and water.
According to Japanese liquor tax law, beer may contain some kinds of auxiliary material such as rice and cornstarch.
Ginga Kogen beer that includes 100% of malt and no auxiliary material will provide the sweet taste from malt" -- gingakogenbeer.com

Fujizakura Kogen - Rauch Beer

Fujizakura Kogen - Rauch Beer - Yamanashi Prefecture - 5.5% - 500 ml bottle:
Taste: Smokey- but not overwhelming so; wood; bacon; very unique & pleasurable.
Smell: Smokey- yup it's at the forefront here too; burning wood; burnt meats; creamy scent emanates from its head.
Looks: Clear light shades of brown; lots of carbonation; big frothy head that lingered about for a few minuets; lacing which holds strong.Verdict: Drinking this beer conjures up images of sitting by a log fire burning on a winter's day, really what others beers do that for you?! There is a reason why Fujizakura wins medals, and this beer is reason enough! Couldn't drink this on the regular, but can appreciate the craftsmanship behind it.
Notes of interest: Fujizakura Kogen Brewery is located near the base of Mt. Fuji from which the water source is drawn; the beer is solidly German in style, with Rauchbier (smoked beer) being a rare German style from the Franconia region. A small portion of the barley malt used in the beer is smoked and the malt used in the Fujizakura Kogen version is smoked over cherry wood. The resulting beer is world-class. The rich layers of malt flavor are tempered with a subtle smokiness, allowing a free flow of comparisons with top-shelf single-malt whisky. Pairing it with smoked prepared meats such as ham or sausage results in a seamless marriage of flavors.

Ramen - Shimokitazawa

90 Days Stout - by Echigo

Echigo - 90 Days Stout - Niigata Prefecture - 7% - 330 ml bottle @ La-Cachette bar:
Taste: Light roasted malts; hints of bitters (chocolate & coffee), caramel, and smoke; nothing is overwhelming here.
Smell: Roasted malt aroma, nothing else really makes its presence known.
Look: Medium body for a stout (dark brown), wimpy head & lace.
Verdict: This is what you call a light stout- this is not a bad thing actually, as it would go great with raw fish or fresh vegetables. I've had better stouts out here, namely the Tokyo Black and Harvestmoon Double Stout, but as mentioned this could play an important pairing role.

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...

Harry Porter - by Swan Lake

Swan Lake - Harry Porter (an Aldgate original) - Niigata Prefecture - ? ABV - UK Pint @ The Aldgate pub:
Taste: As a good porter should be this is a smoky and complex beer, malt steps up here while the hops settle in.
Smell: Smokey, roasted malt aroma.
Looks: Near black- but a deep brown from certain angles, head dissipated fast but strong lace is left behind.Verdict: Although porters are not my most favorite of styles (I like stouts more), this was delicious indeed. To me the importance lies in getting a smokey flavor, but one that does not overpower the taste; this is a great example of balancing roasted smoked malts to an enjoyable drinking experience.