SHIZUOKA GOURMET

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Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin 2007 #23

Topic: Baird Beer Seasonal Release — Japan Tale Ale

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Once upon a time a young man visited a distant land majestic in its natural beauty. The people of this land were long in history, rich in culture and reverential of tradition. It was the prosaic pleasures of life in this land that most captured the young man’s fancy: the simple satisfaction derived from a long soak in a customary hot bath, or the warm feeling of relaxation
produced from imbibing a snifter of junmai-ginjo sake, or the camaraderie enjoyed when dining and drinking communally in the intimate atmosphere of a neighborhood izakaya (restaurant-pub). The women were delicately feminine in their beauty and quietly strong in disposition. The men were determined and proud and professional.

The young man chose to stay in this land because of the pleasure it gave him. Ultimately, he devoted himself to the world of craftsmanship and endeavored to brew artisanal beers inspired by and dedicated to this adopted land that he loved. One day his accumulated experiences in this land merged together to form a conception for a beer that told, in its liquid way, the tale of the land. He named it Japan Tale Ale.

*Japan Tale Ale (ABV: 5.9%):

In a hazy golden hue reminiscent of the morning sun rising up above Mount Fuji, Japan Tale Ale presents itself immediately as a Japanese story. The pure white head of billowy foam hints at the fabled origins of this great island country — the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu. The sophisticatedly understated aroma of tart Japanese plums speaks of the history of the Imperial Court as it might have existed in the ancient city of Kyoto during the Heian era. The light, almost ephemeral delicacy of flavor tips its hat to the storied history of the Japanese artisan (the potters and the swordmakers, the flower arrangers and the Geisha performers). Beneath this delicacy, though, there exists a flavor character of strength and steely determination that tells of the history of the great Japanese warriors — the Samurai. An overriding sense of balance and unselfish purpose serves to tie the tale together as if somehow echoing the essence of an informally yet unmistakably united national polity.

Japan Tale Ale is brewed with a host of unique and indigenous Japanese ingredients (unmalted wheat, rice, sudakito sugar and plums). It is lightly hopped, highly attenuated, pleasantly tart and extremely refreshing. We plan to tell many more chapters of this tale in the upcoming years.
Currently, Japan Tale Ale is being poured from the taps of the Fishmarket Taproom in Numazu, Japan. It will be available for purchase from Baird Beer retailers in Japan beginning Friday, September 14. Consumer orders of bottle-conditioned Japan Tale Ale also can be placed directly at the Baird Brewery.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird
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Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin 2007 #22

Topic: Baird Beer Seasonal Release — Black Velvet Dark Lager

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

The heartland of dark beer brewing in Germany has been and remains Upper Franconia, part of northern Bavaria. “There are more breweries per kilometer, more dark lagers, and there is more idiosyncrasy (a rare quality in Germany) in Franconia than anywhere else in the country.” This Franconia style of dark lager, “at its most sophisticated…combines the dryish, coffee and licorice notes of dark malts with the roundness and cleanness imparted by a lager yeast.”

The introductory information above is courtesy of the great beer historian and critic, the late Michael Jackson. He passed away just a few days ago and his loss will be felt deeply by craft brewers and beer enthusiasts throughout the world. It would not be an exaggeration to state that Michael Jackson has been the single most influential person in the world in terms of
fomenting what has come to be know as the modern renaissance in beer brewing. When brewers like myself contemplate the production of a beer style that is new to us, the first place we turn is the pioneering historical research and cogent writing of Mr. Michael Jackson. The newest seasonal release from Baird Beer is no exception. It owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to the “Beer Hunter.”

Black Velvet Dark Lager (ABV 4.9%):

Inspired by the Franconian tradition of dark beer brewing, Black Velvet Dark Lager appears russet in color and sports a creamy head of tan foam. In the nose, hints of fruity esters combine with subtle notes of toffee, coffee and sweet chocolate. The feeling produced in the mouth is a silky, velvety smoothness. Despite the dark color, no burnt or bitter malt character
emerges. Rather, the sweetly smooth flavors of toffee, caramel and milk chocolate register together in perfect harmony. The finish is round and smooth with just enough effervescence from the all-natural carbonation to leave a pleasing dryish note in the aftertaste.

Black Velvet Dark Lager debuts today (Wednesday, September 5) at the Fishmarket Taproom. It will be available in both draught and bottle-conditioned form through select Baird Beer retailers in Japan beginning Thursday, September 6. As you are enjoying a pint, please lift your glass for a moment in honor of the man who has made possible the re-emergence of small-scale commercial production in so many long-lost or largely forgotten historical beer styles — the Beer Hunter, Michael Jackson.

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

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Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin 2007 #19

Topic: Baird Beer Seasonal Release — Faded Glory Pale Mild & Sunset Beach Blonde Ale

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

The summer heat has reached high intensity. Baird Beer is responding with the maiden release of two wonderful summer session beers — Faded Glory Pale Mild and Sunset Beach Blonde Ale.

1) Faded Glory Pale Mild (ABV 2.7%): Pale Mild is a classic English beer style that, much like the British Empire, has become essentially an historical relic. It is an unfashionably light gravity and low alcohol ale meant to replenish and not to inebriate. The modern renaissance in craft brewing, with American craft beer in the lead role, has largely ignored this historical style and others of its ilk. To be honest, the brewing of low-gravity “small” beers is an extremely challenging task for the brewer because she is attempting to achieve flavor and character with the use of much less raw ingredient material. The Baird brewers relish the challenge and love the tribute that it pays to beer history and tradition.

Faded Glory Pale Mild is amber-gold in color, very lightly floral in aroma and somewhat biscuity in flavor. It is fresh and smooth from start to finish. This is a beer where flavor, refreshment and history meet at the crossroads!

2) Sunset Beach Blonde Ale (ABV 5.2%): This American-style Golden Ale is a child of the modern craft beer renaissance. Smooth, quenching and quaffable, it stands out from industrial beer in its depth of flavor and high hop character.

Sunset Beach Blonde Ale is sunset gold in color, softly fruity in flavor and it sports a wonderful floral-spice hop (highlighted by U.S. Vanguard) aroma. If you find yourself sitting on a beach, gazing out over the Pacific ocean and witnessing a glorious sunset, this would be your beer of choice!

Both beers begin pouring from the Fishmarket Taproom taps on Thursday, August 2. The debut at Baird Beer retailers in Japan will be Friday, August 3. Small quantities of bottle-conditioned Faded Glory Pale Mild are available, otherwise, these beers are draught-only.

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

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