Japanese Crustacean Species 2: Large Prawn/”Botan ebi”

December 31, 2008 dragonlife 7 Comments

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Botanebi/”Botan” Prawn, or “Pandalus nipponesis” for the specialists, is a large prawn found in all seas of Japan at depths varying from 300 to 500 metres. They are caught at 200~300 metres depth in Suruga Bay and along the WEstern coast of Izu Peninsula In Shizuoka Prefecture. Once abundant, they have become scarce and only small specimen are found whereas Hokkaido produces up to 20cm-long prawns.

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They are known under different names: toyamaebi and Kijiebi.
It is not a cheap morsel in Sushi bars. But it is interesting to note they are essentially eaten raw as like “amaebi”, they become very sweet after some time in the refrigerator.

Now, if you are lucky enough to find them fresh with their eggs, ask your chef to dress them as above, or even better, put the eggs on top of a “gunkan nigiri”!

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And one more thing, if they are fresh again, don’t forget to ask for the heads deep-fried!

Incidentally, botanebi change sex (gender) with age to end up as big juicy females!

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Vegan Farandole for the New Year!

December 29, 2008 dragonlife 2 Comments

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Last Sunday, not the New Year I must admit, I had to cook dinner for my other half, and I just happened to be litterally submerged with vegetables.
Why not create something vegeterian, or even better, something vegan, at least to justify my omnivorous preferences? I thought.
Well, I came with a simple idea that can expanded at infinitum. It has the merit of making use of very healthy ingredients and help the system take a much needed rest! LOL

I utilized three different oils from three different countries to add a little inernationalization: Olive oil from Italy, Walnut oil from France and Argan oil from Morocco!

In the centre of the plate I arranged a “circle” of boiled potatoes mixed in “brandade style” with plenty of olive oil, avocado, black olives, lemon juice, a minimum of salt, chopped fresh garlic, pepper, nutmeg, thyme and yuzu chili pepper. Indian friends would probably add plenty more spices.
I surrounded it with a thin crown of boiled diced brocoli stems and shiso/perilla shoots/mini leaves.

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I then added plenty of dressing around the lot. The dressing was made with walnut oil, taragon white wine vinegar, soft Dijon mustard (with seeds), lemon juice, a little salt, pepper and a large amount of very finely chopped fresh parsley and basil. It was very consistent and easy to spread without “leaking” everywhere.
Around the whole, I arranged boiled green brocoli, white cauliflower and yellow cauliflower (beautiful and very tasty) all grown in Shizuoka Prefecture.
I decorated the potato core with plum tomato wedges, and sprinkled both the cauliflower(s) and tomatoes with a little dash of argan oil (take it easy with this particular oil as it is particularly fragrant!).

I hope this will give ideas to my vegan and vegetarian friends for the New Year repast!　By the way, “Farandole is a dance!

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Today’s Lunch Box/Bento (50)

December 29, 2008 dragonlife Leave a comment

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If I’m not sorely mistaken, this is the last bento concocted by the Missus in 2008.
The next one should be onlie on January 5th!
A “classical” bento by my other half’s standards making use of whatever was in the fridge!

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The rice has been the same for some time: white rice steamed with beans (and their juice) and “hijiki/sweet seaweed”. A very lealthy and hearty fare with plenty of calories!

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As for the “o-yatsu/accompaniment”, deep-fried “sanma/mackerel pike” that was seasoned with sauce beforehand and complemented with plentyof lemon, cornichons and black olives, plum tomatoes, and on a bed of finely chopped vegetables, boiled brocoli and cauliflower. Very healthy, again!

I had dressing for the salad and mandarine oranges at the office to make it complete!

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Bryan Baird’s Newsletter

December 29, 2008 dragonlife 2 Comments

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Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin 2008 #27

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

We will be ushering out 2008 and drinking in 2009 with New Year’s Eve Countdown parties at both the Fishmarket and Nakameguro Taprooms. Event details are listed below.

Fishmarket Taproom Countdown Party (Wednesday, December 31, 5:00 pm start)

*All-you-can-eat Mexican buffet @ 1,000 yen per person (5:00 – 11:00 pm)
*500 yen Baird Beers throughout the evening
*Midnight debut of Hatsujozo 2009 Double IPA (complimentary glass to all patrons for 2009 inaugural toast)
*Reservations NOT required

Nakameguro Taproom Countdown Party (Wednesday, December 31, 7:00 pm start)

*All-you-can-eat buffet and All-you-can-drink Baird Beer @ 5,000 yen per person
*Midnight debut of Hatsujozo 2009 Double IPA (complimentary glass to all patrons for 2009 inaugural toast)
*Reservations NOT required

At Baird Beer we mark the transition to each new year with the release of a special Double IPA brewed uniquely in celebration of the fresh possibilities represented by the turning of the calendar. We kick off beer year 2009 with the midnight hour release of Hatsujozo 2009 Double IPA

Hatsujozo 2009 Double IPA (ABV 8.1%):

The wort produced for Hatsujozo 2009 is strong (21.5 Plato) but simple (two primary ingredients: Maris Otter malt and sudakito sugar). The hopping is equally strong (85 IBU) but more complex with four varieties of American hops (Warrior, Columbus, Centennial, Amarillo). Dry-hopping in the conditioning tank takes place with equal amounts of Columbus, Centennial and Amarillo. We kraeusen at packaging with wort from a different IPA in order to achieve secondary fermentation and natural carbonation. If Hatsujozo 2009 Double IPA is any indication, the Japan beer enthusiast is in for a fantastic year in 2009.

Hatsujozo 2009 Double IPA will be available on draught beginning January 1 at select Baird Beer retailing pubs and restaurants throughout Japan (including our own Taprooms). A limited number of 633 ml bottles also will be available for purchase at Baird Beer retailing liquor stores in Japan.

Taproom O-shogatsu Business Hours

*Fishmarket Taproom will be closed on January 1 and 2. It will re-open for business on Saturday, January 3 at noon. January 3 and 4 will feature several O-shogatsu dishes (prices ranging from 300 to 600 yen) cooked up by Takanaka Tencho and Sayuri to celebrate the New Year.

*Nakameguro Taproom will be closed on January 1. It will re-open for business on Friday, January 2 at 2:00 pm. Business hours from January 2 – 5 will be 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm before returning to normal on January 6.

Happy New Year!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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Open Quiche (with Leek, Bacon and Potato)

December 27, 2008 dragonlife 11 Comments

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Some people, sometimes rightly, complain that quiches, for all their quality, are a bit heavy because of the pastry. I sometimes cook them without pastry, calling them “open Quiche”. They are simple to make and are welcome by foodies with an allergy to flour.

Here is the simple one I made for the Missus last night a very cold night!)

Ingredients (for 2 to 4 people):
-Eggs: 3 large
-Fresh Cream: 400 cc (2 cups)
-Fresh leek: one large, chopped.
-Potato: 1 medium-large
-Bacon: 2 large rashers, cut in 1 cm-thin strips
-Lemon juice: 1 teaspoon
-Grated parmesan cheese: 1 large tablespoon
-Butter: 50 g for frying vegetables + enough to coat inside of oven dish
-Salt ( as little as possible), pepper, nutmeg, thyme, laurel and anything else you wish according to your preferences.

Recipe:
-Bring a pan full of salted water to boil, drop all the chopped leek in and boil for a couple of minutes. Take out and plunge the leek into cold water. Let cool, then drain, and put them aside in draining dish to allow any excess water to go away. This will take care of the leek’s astringency and make it softer. If too wet, press water out before adding them to the quiche.
-Boil potato to 80%, plunge in cold water (this way, it will not break or disappear inside the quiche), peel and cut into 1 cm square cubes. Put aside.
-Dry-fry (that is, do not add any oil) bacon until the colour has changed. Put aside.
-In same fry-pan, to preserve the juices left by the bacon, drop 50 g of butter and lightly sautee the leeks and potato for a couple of minutes. Put aside.
-Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (about 360 degrees F).
-In a bowl drop the leek, bacon and potato, season with lemon juice, a little salt, plenty of pepper and spices and mix well.
-In another bowl break the eggs and beat them into an omelette. Add fresh cream and mix well. Add a little salt, pepper and spices according to taste. Last parmesan cheese. Mix and check taste.
-Butter the inside of a large shallow oven dish (glass is best as you can see the inside cooking). Spread the bacon, potato and leek mix over the bottom. Pour in the omelette over the whole. Check and arrange the heavier food inside the omelette with a fork for more evenness.
-Cook for about 40 minutes

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Serve hot. You should be able to cut it and transfer it easily if you have buttered the dish properly. Serve with a fresh salad and a light red wine or real ale!
Enjoy!

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Today’s Lunch Box/Bento (49)

December 27, 2008 dragonlife Leave a comment

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The end of the year is always a very hectic time in Japan.
The two of us busy in spite of no university holiday, the Missus prepared a typical, if very simple bento:
On a bed of freshly steamed rice she spread some slices of soft “sha shu/Chinese-style braised pork” she quickly heated again in sweet soy sauce with a few pieces of processed cheese and sprinkled with black sesame. The sauce added welcome tatse to the rice.
One “umeboshi/pikled Japanese plum” and a few cornichons provided the saour balance to the sweetness of the meat.
For greens she included lettuce leaves and plum tomatoes and boiled spinach salad.
The dessert was providedwith plenty of “tamagoyaki/Japanese omelette”
Quite filling actually! And tasty!

One more bento on Monday and then I will post 2008 bento compilation!

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Sashimi Set: Sushi Ko Restaurant

December 26, 2008 dragonlife 2 Comments

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Last night, the Missus and I went out to celebrate Christmas our own way by having dinner at Sushi Ko, our favourite sushi restaurant in Shizuoka City!
This was our first order, a “sashimi no moriawase/sashimi plate”.
All seafood came from Shizuoka Prefecture!
For the rest of our dinner, please check Shizuoka Sushi!

From left to right:
“Mebachi Maguro/Big-eyed Tuna” on a “shiso/perilla” leaf and finely cut daikon, fresh “Sakura Ebi/Cherry Blossom Shrimp” from Yui with grated ginger and cucumber, “Aburi Kinmeidai/slightly grilled Golden Eyes Snapper/Seabream”, lemon, “Shiso no Hana/Perilla Flowers, “Ishidai/Parrot bass, Stone Flounder, Striped Knifejaw” and freshly grated wasabi!

Sushi Ko
shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho. 2-3-1 (Aoba Koen)
Tel.: 054-2512898
Business Hours： 17:00~25:00. 17:00~23:00 （Sundays）
Closed on Wednesdays
Reservations recommended
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

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Today’s Lunch Box/Bento (48)

December 26, 2008 dragonlife 2 Comments

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Yes, I worked yesterday on the 25th of December. Chritmas is more a business bonanza than anything else. In any case I’m agnostic!
The Missus made doo with whatever she had in the fridge and some buns she had baked the day before.

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The main dish included from bottom clockwise:
Turkey ham bought at the local supermarkert, lettuce leaves to wrap around the turkey, plum tomatoes, brocoli and “tobikko/flying fish roe” spaghetti, first fried then cooled down, processed cheese, black olive and cornichons.

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The buns provided with plenty of calories,

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as they contained beans.

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The dessert, plentiful for once, included cut fresh pear, mini kiwi, “benihoppe/red cheek” strawberry from Izu Peninsula and home-dried persimmon.

Plenty to last until the night out!

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Japanese Crustacean Species 1: White Shrimp/”Shiroebi”

December 25, 2008 dragonlife Leave a comment

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Shiroebi or White Shrimp is not as known as other shrimp/prawn varieties. However it is a very popular crustacean in Japanese cuisine.
Also known under the the names of “Shiraebi, Hirataebi and Bekkoebi”, it is mainly caught between depths of 40 and 200 metres off the coasts of Toyama Bay on the other side of Japan and Suruga Bay in Shizuoka Prefecture.

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It is mainlly served as sashimi with some ponzu and grated fresh ginger

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as “gunkan” topped with a dash of grated fresh ginger.

It is possible to serve it as “nigiri”, although one would need large specimen, as the usual length is only 7 cm.
Shiroebi appears on our tables between April and November in many guises:

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The picture above shows on the right the shiroebi in its natural flesh whereas on the left it has been kept between two sheets of wetted seaweed for a while as “kombu-jime”, another very popular way to prepare all kinds of sashimi/sushi.

White Shrimps also enter in the preparation of a kind of “Tamagoyaki”/Japanese Omelette when they are first processed into a paste and mixed thoroughly with beaten eggs, sieved and then cooked.
The Japanese also love them as soft sembei/rice crackers.

The annual catch has exceeded 600 tonnes in recent years, half of them in Toyama.
They are also exported whole.

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Taky’s Classic Cakes (5): Charlotte

December 25, 2008 dragonlife 2 Comments

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charlotte

Charlotte russe is a dessert invented by the French chef Marie Antoine Carême (1784-1833), who named it in honor of his Russian employer Czar Alexander I (“russe” being the French word for “Russian”). Originally it was a cold dessert of Bavarian cream set in a mold lined with ladyfingers.
Nowadays the cake is simply called “Charlotte” and and come in many variations.

Taky’s in Shizuoka City has created his own version with an accent on pears.

The Gateau de Savoie (sponge cake) lining the bottom and sides is imbibed with Poire Williams Liqueur.
It is filled with vanilla mousse containing cuts of pears marinated in Poire Williams Liqueur.
The Gateau de Savoie forming the “lid” was baked separately. It contains more meringue (beaten egg whites) and sugar, making it it lighter and slighter cripsy.

Certainly more fulfilling than it looks, it is best appreciated with a great tea!

TAKY’S
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 1-11-10
Tel.: 054-255-2829
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays

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Shizuoka Bars: Our Boozer! in Shizuoka City

December 25, 2008 dragonlife Leave a comment

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When Karl Emerson, a native from Birmingham City, U.K., opened Our Boozer in July 2003, customers were mostly expats in search for a homey waterhole. Things have slowly evolved since then. These days Japanese patrons make for a good half of the clientele, although English is still the prevalent language.
Karl, into his ninth year of residence, strives to create an easy-going environment where customers fel like “going abroad without leaving Japan”.
Parties of all kinds and budgets can be quickly arranged.

Typical pub food is plentiful at very reasonable prices:
Burger (750 yen), Lamb Grill (1,200 yen), Cottage Pie (850 yen) all served with generous garnish.

Abbot Ale, Carlsberg (after all, the owner’s name is Karl!) and Guinness are served at the tap at 750 yen~ a pint. All kinds of drinks and cocktails can be quickly prepared and served.
Among the attractions are a large TV screen for all major sports viewing, a pool table and an elctronic darts board.
The late hours and informal setting are conducive to making new friends in complete relaxation and freedom of movement as drinkers (and diners) can choose either to sit down, stand or walk around according to their preferences and companions.
A luxury in this crowded bustling city!

Our Boozer!
Koyamachi,Aoi Ku,Shizuoka, Japan, 420-0852
Telephone +81 (0)54 293 7029
Fax +81 (0)54 254 0505
Open from 6:45pm until late. Closed every Tuesday and the first Monday in every month.
HOMEPAGE

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Edamame: Japanese Green Soybeans

December 24, 2008 dragonlife 6 Comments

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I’ve always been somewhat puzzled to find the word “edamame” in my U.S. (and European) friends’ blogs. This conspicuous vegetable seems to conjure grand images of Japanese gastronomy in spite of its almost base status in this country.

After all, “edamame” (枝豆/branch bean in Japanese) is nothing but green soybeans, a food mass-produced and heavily exported by North American farmers.
Or, is it that the soybean’s image has fallen so low on the other side of the Pacific because some people grow it for bio-ethanol that restaurateurs feel more comfortable with a grand-sounding Japanese name?

Alright, before I get collared for indulging into a cheap rant, let me introduce my own recipe for preparing the “delicacy”:
One does not have to boil it, cool it and serve it sprinkled with salt. This is probably the worst and least healthy way to consume it!
If you can, choose them fresh on the branch(es). This will guarantee they haven’t lost any of their nutrient qualities.
Cut out all the pods and throw away the branches (or re-process them inside your fertilizer box!).
Clean the pods under running water.
Drain water, but do not wipe them dry.
Drop them in an appropriate-sized non-stick pan and hand-rub them in a little coarse salt. The less salt, the better, but enough to season all pods. Experience and personal preferences will tell you how much you need.
Cover pan with a glass lid and switch on fire to medium-low. Cook until water seeps out of the pods. Switch off fire and keep inside covered pan (do not take the lid off!) for a good 5 minutes. By then, they should be sufficiently cooked.
Serve immediately.

In Japan there exists another variety called Kuro Edamame/黒枝豆-Black Edamame.
Actually they are a light brown-green soybean grown in Shizuoka Prefecture and elsewhere. They are definitely tastier and deserve the title of “delicacy”.
The beans out of their pods also make for great addition to salads, artful presentation with meat dishes, and are great mixed inside “nigiri”!

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Vegan & Vegetarian Japanese delicacy: “Sea Grapes/Umibudou”

December 23, 2008 dragonlife 4 Comments

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Although not from Shizuoka, this Okinawa delicacy regularly appears in good supermarkets such as Shizuoka JR Station Supermarket and in good Japanese restaurants.

Although called Sea Grapes (Umibudou) for their shape, it is a saweed variety!
Its Latin name is “Caulerpa lentillifera” for the purists.

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Apparently they can be found in some islands an seas in South Eastern Asia and Oceania. World vegetarian and vegans, look out for them (I mean discovere and eat them! LOL)!
The whole seaweed can reach betwen 2 and 5 metres, but only the extremities including the “grapes” are consumed.
In Okinawa where they have been eaten eons, they are also called “green caviar”!
You can eat them raw of course with soy sauce or rice vinegar mixed with mustard.

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In sushi, as “gunkan/maothership”, they certainly make for great fun and taste!
Beware of counterfeits! No less than the JAS was recently caught selling them in August 2008!
Growing them in Japan has apparently been successful, great news for vegans and vegetarians who will find a great source of iodine and other beneficial elements!
Didi I say it? They are delicious/”oishii”!

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Japanese Shellfish Species 1: Torigai/”Large Cockle”

December 23, 2008 dragonlife Leave a comment

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“Torigai” does not have a real name in English. They are approximately translated “large cockle”
They will appear on the market in Spring and earlier in Shizuoka Prefecture. They are mainly found in Tokyo Bay, Ise bay and Seto Inner Sea. Some are imported from Korea, but catches can wildly vary, especially with the occurence of “red tides”. A lot are imported from Aichi Prefecture (Nagoya region) to Shizuoka.

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They must be absolutely fresh to be consumed.
One easy way to check if they are still fresh is to slam them on the wooden board. They should immediately retract, even if cut out. They are at their cheapest between March and May.

(Pic taken at Sushiya No Ichi, Shizuoka City)

They can be appreciated either as “tsumami”/Appetizer with a little grated wasabi and shoyu, or as nigiri.
Beware of torigai with a thin colour! They are not fresh!

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Bryan Baird’s Newsletter

December 23, 2008 dragonlife Leave a comment

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Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin 2008 #26

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

The parade of big winter beers continues with the release on Tuesday, December 23 of an annual Baird Strong Ale Series seasonal: Yabai-Yabai! Strong Scotch Ale.

Yabai-Yabai! Strong Scotch Ale (ABV 7.3%):

Scotland, an historically important center of beer brewing, has a cool climate that favors cultivation of the hardy barley plant. Scottish Ales, thus, tend to feature the rich and robust flavor of malted barley in the flavor profile. Moreover, relatively cool ale fermentation temperatures contribute to brews that are not highly attenuated — i.e. they remain rich in residual sugars and thus round and full-bodied. Strong type Scottish Ales often have been considered “a kind of liquid porridge.”

Baird Yabai-Yabai Strong Scotch Ale is, in a word, rich! It is liquid opulence that verges on decadence. The color is a deep mahogany and the head is dense, creamy and tan. The warming effect begins in the nose, with the wafting of soft fruit esters and warm fusel alcohols. As the aroma dovetails into the flavor, notes of molasses, caramel apples, rum cake and maple syrup perform a holiday festival on the palate. Just as a chewy malt sweetness blankets the mouth, it is pealed back by the ethereal pull of a vinous character reminiscent of port or sherry. One hearty pint is enough to take the bite out of the winter chill. Two pints will leave you toastily, and blissfully, warm. Three pints and…. YABAI!

Yabai-Yabai! Strong Scotch Ale will be pouring from the taps of the Fishmarket and Nakameguro Taprooms beginning at noon on the Emperor’s birthday (Tuesday, December 23). This day is a Japan national holiday so plan to come join us for a few pints and some great holiday cuisine. Yabai-Yabai! also will be served on draught at select Baird Beer retailing pubs and restaurants throughout Japan. Bottle versions (633 ml) are available for purchase through the family of Baird Beer retailing liquor stores in Japan and direct from our website estore.

Remainder: Tuesday, December 23 kicks of a three-day Christmas celebration hosted at our Fishmarket Taproom. Pints of Jubilation Ale (both the 2007 and 2008 versions) will be sold for 500 yen and a special Christmas food menu will be offered. Christmas music and DVDs will be played throughout and small gifts offered to the young ones so bring your kids and enjoy a wonderful family outing.

The Nakameguro Taproom is hosting a Christmas Eve celebration on Wednesday, December 24 that includes a special Christmas food menu as well as 500 yen pints for the lonely and forlorn who find themselves visiting solo.

Stop in and enjoy the Christmas revelry with us at one of our two Taproom locations.

Happy Holidays!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE