Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2010/11/20)

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

Upcoming Taproom Events
Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Thanks to all the participants in last weekend’s ‘Falling for Brew’ tasting and seminar held at our Nakameguro Taproom. The event was great fun and a tremendous success. Fortunately, we have more upcoming beer events of interest that I will detail below.

Upcoming Taproom Events:
*Beers for Books Charity Party @ Numazu Fishmarket Taproom (Saturday, Nov. 20, noon – close):

We are teaming up again with the Beers for Books organization (www.beersforbooks.org) to host a day-long event to raise money for the Room to Read charity which purchases books for poverty-stricken kids in developing countries. All day long on Saturday, November 20, the Fishmarket Tapoom will donate 100 yen per pint sold (and 14% of revenue from non-pint beer sales) to the Room to Read charity.

Gary of Beers for Books in Tokyo is chartering a bus which will be departing from the Nakameguro Taproom at 11:00 am Saturday. It is not too late to sign up and join the caravan (just send an email to Gary: gary@robertleonard.jp). In addition to offering a huge selection of terrific Baird Beer, we will be cooking up a culinary storm, offering guided brewery tours, and inviting ceramics expert Robert Yellin to display, sell (a percentage of sales also will be donated to Room to Read) and talk about Japanese yakimono. We look forward to enjoying good beer and food with you while we all contribute to a good cause.

*BBQ and Champion Homebrew Celebration @ Nakameguro Taproom (Sunday, Nov. 28, noon start):
The Wan Cup is the premier homebrew competition held annually in Japan. The past two years Baird Beer has sponsored one style category in this competition and offered the winner the chance to brew his/her champion beer at our Numazu brewery for public debut at our Nakameguro Taproom. This year we sponsored the Pale Ale category in which two champion beers were selected. One of the champion beers is Mr. Hitoshi Tanaka’s GIN’s #76 Pale Aleand Tanaka-san will be on hand to pour the maiden pint of his wonderfully citrusy Pale Ale at noon sharp on Sunday, November 28. Tanaka-san, together with Baird Beer brewers, will be on hand to talk about all things brewing. We encourage homebrewers and beer enthusiasts of all levels to join in the fun and partake of the education.

People can’t live on beer alone, however. As a special culinary treat, the pitmaster of our soon-to-be Bashamichi Taproom will be on hand serving up all kinds of wonderful and authentic American barbecue dishes (beef brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and sundry side dishes). Come learn about the culture and tradition of real American barbecue, and taste the glory of it! This will be the final Tokyo sneak preview of Bashamichi Taproom BBQ — so if you can’t wait until mid-January, this is your chance.

*10-Year Anniversary Celebration of the Debut of Baird Beer (Jan. 2-3 @ Fishmarket Taproom):
While the Numazu Fishmarket Taproom opened for business in July, 2000, it was without Baird Beer. Our brewing license had yet to be granted and the FT started out by selling other beer. The debut of Baird Beer didn’t happen until our first day of business in January, 2001. Two Baird Beers were hooked up to our British handpumps that day: Fisherman’s Wheat Ale and Kurofune Porter.

We will be celebrating the 10-year anniversary of this debut with recreations of the original recipes for Fisherman’s Wheat Ale and Kurofune Porter served via the original handpumps. In addition, we will be featuring a small-batch 10-Year Anniversary Ale, also pulled from one of our original handpumps, as well as other special celebratory beers. Sayuri and the FT staff will be cooking up a slew of fun New Year beer dishes also. Sayuri and I will be working behind the counter just like the old days.

Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for this important birthday. We will open at noon both days (Sunday & Monday, January 2-3). More details will be provided in subsequent bulletins.

Other Notes:
*Revised Baird Beer Retailer’s Manual: We have completed a comprehensive revision of our Baird Beer Retailer’s Manual which is available for download at our website (click the appropriate icon on the right-hand side of virtually any website page). There is a wealth of material contained here that will be instructive to any business interested in the proper handling/dispense of Baird Beer.

*Launch of the Official Bashamichi Taproom Blog: In anticipation of the January opening of our Bashamichi Taproom in Yokohama, we have launched the official Bashamichi Taproom blog (http://bairdbeer.com/en/blog_bashamichi/). Here, our Pitmaster/Manager, Chuck Morrow, will be documenting the construction progress at our site and, more importantly, introducing consumers to the culture and history of authentic American barbecue. Check it out when you have a moment and send a greeting to Chuck!

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

The Japan Blog List

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Must-see tasting websites:
-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery
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Please check the new postings at:
sake, shochu and sushi