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Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin 2008 #5

Topic: Seasonal Release — The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale 2008

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Every winter I look forward especially to one day — the annual release ofour Carpenter’s Mikan Ale. This year, that day is today (Wednesday,February 20). 2008 marks the 7th annual release of this special fruit beerwhich originated unexpectedly, but naturally, from the earnest and genuine friendship forged between a Carpenter and a Brewer. The Brewer never intended to embark on the path of fruit ale production but was led there by the creative inspiration of the Carpenter as well as by the Carpenter’s wonderful orchard that was teeming with delicious citrus fruit.

*The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale 2008 (ABV 6.5%):

The mikans used in this brew are fresh, succulent, and local — harvested on the land and by the hand of the Carpenter. The Brewer processes them minimally, combines them with the other wholesome, traditional and minimally processed malt and hop ingredients characteristic of Baird Beer, and orchestrates the whole in a process of simple and traditional brewing. The result, we believe, is a product greater than the sum of its parts — as is true in the case of great human friendship.

The 2008 Carpenter’s Mikan Ale incorporates wheated malt in a 44 percent addition to the grain bill, sudakito sugar in a 5 percent amount, and freshly squeezed mikan juice is added at the rate of 3 liters per hectoliter of boiled wort. The peels left over from the fruit added as juice are placed in part in the whirlpool and the rest in the conditioning tank for aroma contribution. Softly citrusy Centennial and floral Sterling hops are dosed generously together with the mikans to provide an exquisitely complex yet balanced fruit character. The wonderful aromatics of this character waft gorgeously from the billowy white head that forms in the glass. Final transport to beer Nirvana comes courtesy of the tight and spritzy natural carbonation that commands your taste buds to stand alert in glorious attention!

The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale is now on tap at the Fishmarket Taproom in Numazu.
It also will be available on draught and in 633 ml bottles at Baird Beer retailers throughout Japan.

Cheers!
Bryan Baird
HOMEPAGE