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Baird Beer, Bars, Beer, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2012/02/10): Seasonal Release – Morning Coffee Stout; Saturday Taproom Brunch

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Seasonal Release – Morning Coffee Stout; Saturday Taproom Brunch

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Are you a fan of rich, roasty and robust stouts? Do you love a fresh brewed morning coffee? The answer is yes for me on both counts.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Releases:
*Morning Coffee Stout 2011 (ABV 7.5%):

Each year at Baird Beer we combine our passion for stout with our love of coffee in the brewing of Morning Coffee Stout. This 2012 version is an export-style stout infused with freshly roasted (delivered still warm direct from the roaster of our friends at Arabica Coffee) Kilimanjaro beans. We add these beans — whole, without grinding – directly to the stout in the conditioning tank in what amounts to a cold beer toddy extraction method. The result is a perfectly balanced flavor marriage between stout beer and java beans.

Morning Coffee Stout 2012 debuts tomorrow (Saturday, February 11) at 11:00 am sharp at all of our Taproom pubs in a special Morning Coffee Stout Brunch (see menu details below). It also will be available both on draught and in bottles (630 ml) at other fine Baird Beer retailing establishments throughout Japan.

Special Taproom Event:
*Morning Coffee Stout Brunch (Saturday, Feb. 11, 11:00 am start):

All of our Taproom pubs will be opening their doors early tomorrow to host a celebratory Morning Coffee Stout brunch. The brunch menus are as follows.

(1) Numazu Fishmarket Taproom:

Bagel sandwich (ham, sausage, smoked salmon, or grilled chicken) served with potato salad (600 yen)
Bacon and eggs (cooked to order) with toast (600 yen)
Chocolate French toast (Single 400 yen; Double 600 yen)
Cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese (400 yen)
Side order of fries or onion rings (500 yen)
(2) Nakameguro Taproom:

Brunch plate — French toast, bacon and eggs, cole slaw, fresh fruit and small glass of Coffee Stout (1,300 yen)
(3) Harajuku Taproom:

Eric’s morning pancakes (500 yen)
Coffee Stout-marinated chicken karaage set (650 yen)
Coffee Stout curry rice (650 yen)
(4) Bashamichi Taproom:

Smoked salmon eggs Benedict (650 yen; set @ 1,200 yen)
Salad pizza (650 yen; set @ 1,200 yen)
Super Light Belgian Waffles (45o yen; set @ 1,000 yen)
Banana ice pudding (400 yen)
Please join us at the Taproom nearest you for a wonderful morning and early afternoon of great food, wonderful beer (including Morning Coffee Stout and Carpenter’s Mikan Ale), mellow jazz music and warm camaraderie.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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

Baird Beer, Bars, Beer, Beer Brewery, 美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Beer, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2012/02/05): 10-Year Anniversary Release: The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale

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10-Year Anniversary Release: The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

It was back in the fall of 2001 that the builder of our Fishmarket Taproom, Nagakura-san, who since had become a stalwart Taproom patron and loyal friend, brought to me in my little backroom brewery a crate of mikan fruit freshly picked from his family orchard. “Can you use these in a beer?” he inquired. “If not, just share them with customers and your family.”

I, like many professional brewers, harbored a prejudice against fruit beers. Why? Because most of the ones available tended to be gimmick beers, brewed not with real fruit but rather processed extracts, that were designed to appeal to people who didn’t like beer to begin with. However, I quickly decided to formulate a beer that incorporated the carpenter’s mikan fruit. Not only did the idea of using a fresh, local, minimally processed ingredient fit perfectly with the Baird Beer philosophy, but the mikan fruit was delicious. It’s vibrant citrus character, I thought, could be combined in a wonderfully complementary way with various citrus-forward hop varieties being cultivated in the western United States.

The first batch of the Carpenter’s Mikan Ale (all 30 liters of it), was poured, with a tiny bit of trepidation, to Fishmarket Taproom customer-friends who had gathered there at 8:30 am on a Monday morning to view the 2002 Super Bowl (a game that pitted the then powerhouse St. Louis Rams against the upstart Tom Brady-led New England Patriots). The Patriots won their first Super Bowl; the Carpenter’s Mikan Ale won the hearts and the drinking loyalty of all who gathered that morning.

The Carpenter’s Mikan Ale 2012, the ten-year anniversary version, will begin pouring at our Taproom pubs just before the 8:30 am (Monday, Feb. 6) kick-off of the 2012 Super Bowl (NY Giants vs. New England Patriots).

New Baird Beer Seasonal Release:
*Carpenter’s Mikan Ale 2012 (ABV 6%):

The mikans used in this brew are fresh, succulent, and local — harvested on the Heda land and by the hand of our carpenter friend, Nagakura-san. The Baird brewers hand-process the harvested mikans, shaving off the outer skin of the peel and pressing the juice. Both peel shavings and juice are added to the brew during wort production and before fermentation. The mikans serve to add depth and complexity to an already sumptuous ale; their role is to complement, not dominate.

Once again the character of this year’s version is marked most notably by the succulent aroma and piquant flavor of sweet-tart mikans and their wonderfully symbiotic interaction with our selected hop varieties (Nelson Sauvin, Cascade, New Zealand Cascade, Ahtanum).

In addition to our Taproom pubs, the Carpenter’s Mikan Ale will also be available either on draught or in bottles (630 ml) at fine Baird Beer retailers throughout Japan beginning Tuesday, February 7.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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

Baird Beer, Bars, Beer, 美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2012/02/01): Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2012 Debut; Upcoming Events

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Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2012 Debut; Upcoming Events

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

The hibernal rest is over. The big bear of the Baird Beer world, Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine, has forced its way out of our brewery cellars and has taken residence in the serving refrigerators of our various Taproom pubs. The pouring begins today (Wednesday, February 1).

New Baird Beer Seasonal Releases:
*Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2012 (ABV 10.5%):

Brewed and packaged back in June 2011, Ganko Oyaji 2012 sports the same grist bill as previous versions, consisting of floor-malted Maris Otter and Bohemian Pils, as well as British crystal malt and 10% Japanese red (akato) sugar. Once again we increased our hop bittering slightly (up to 80 IBU from last year’s 75) and we changed our blend of hops, this year including Magnum, Galena, Nugget, Glacier and Santiam. Most importantly, though, we returned to full fermentation (primary and secondary) with our house Scottish ale yeast strain while also increasing the attenuative potential of our wort by both lowering mash temperature and lengthening mash duration. The result is a more highly attenuated, drier and stronger finished beer. Ganko Oyaji is an ideal after-dinner or before-bed restorative; it might even be delicious at breakfast too! It promises to condition nicely for months and years to come.

Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2012 is available for immediate shipment to Baird Beer retailers throughout Japan.

Upcoming Taproom Events:
*Superbowl Monday Live! at Fishmarket, Bashamichi and Nakameguro Taprooms:

Kick-off of the 2012 American football Superbowl happens at 8:30 am on Monday, February 6. We will be showing the game live at three of our Taprooms: Fishmarket, Bashamichi and Nakameguro. Doors will open at 8:00 am. Each Taproom will be serving a Superbowl buffet breakfast available to those who take the first meal of the day seriously. Additionally, and in commemoration of its maiden debut 10 years ago at our 2002 Superbowl party, we will be tapping this year’s Carpenter’s Mikan Ale. This is a morning event not to be missed, whether or not you happen to be a football fan. Please join us.

*Morning Coffee Stout Brunch at 11:00 am Saturday, February 11:

Speaking of morning events, for the first time, we will be celebrating the annual release of our Morning Coffee Stout with a Saturday morning brunch at each of our Taproom pubs. Doors will open, coffee stout will be pouring, pancakes will be flipping, jazz will be playing, and happy weekend morning revelry happening at 11:00 am sharp. More details on the brunch menus of each Taproom will be released shortly. In the meantime, mark your calendar!

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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

Baird Beer, Bars, Beer, 美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2012/01/25): Seasonal Release: Angry Belgian Brown Ale

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Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin
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Seasonal Release: Angry Belgian Brown Ale

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Our experiments with yeast strain and fermentation regimen continue. Now up: Angry Belgian Brown Ale.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Releases:
*Angry Belgian Brown Ale (ABV 6.5%):

Our Angry Boy has gone Belgian, fermented at high temperature (around 25 C) with our house Belgian yeast strain (rather than our normal house Scottish ale strain). The flavor comparison is interesting: subtle yet definite.

Angry Belgian Brown Ale begins pouring from our Taproom taps today (Thursday, January 26). It is draught-only and will be available also at other Baird Beer retailing pubs and restaurants throughout Japan.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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

Cocktails, 美食, 酒, 観光, 農業, Fruit, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Tourism

Fruit Cocktails by Masayoshi Tainaka at Bar Le Refuge (1): Kiwi Fruit!

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Service: Pro and very friendly, if a bit shy
Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Beautiful washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Great Fruit Cocktails. Very quiet and relaxing bar. Difficult to find liqueurs.

Shizuoka Prefecture is actually the third producer of kiwi fruits in Japan way ahead of the rest!
It is full season for all kind of varieties during the winter and here is another basic recipe for any kind of this exquisite fruit!

INGREDIENTS:

Kiwi fruit: 1
Sugar (if possible “wasanbon satou/和三盆砂糖”): 2 small teaspoons
Bacardi white rum: 30 ml
Crushed ice
Mint leaves

RECIPE:

Put the cut kiwi, sugar, Bacardi white rum in a blender and blend roughly.
Taste and rectify with a dash of rum if necessary.
Add crushed ice and blend again until smooth.
Pour into an elegant cup glass.
Decorate with a half slice of kiwi fruit and a sprig of fresh mint.
Provide straws.

Very sophisticated and satisfying freshness.
A lady’s favorite, but as a man I was extremely pleased!
A very healthy cocktail actually!

BAR Le Refuge
420-0858 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenma-cho, 9-15, Ribelute-Hirano 1F-B (within walking distance from Cenova)
Tel.: 054-221-0339
Opening hours: 18:00~02:00
Closed on Sundays
HOMEPAGE/BLOG (Japanese)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

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

Bars, Cocktails, 美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Tourism

Bartenders Club Shizuoka 3: Masayoshi Tainaka at Bar Le Refuge

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Service: Pro and very friendly, if a bit shy
Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Beautiful washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Great Fruit Cocktails. Very quiet and relaxing bar. Difficult to find liqueurs.

The Bartenders Club Shizuoka was founded last month by 7 celebrated bartenders all owning their own cocktail bar in Shizuoka City to not only promote their businesses and make fruit cocktails in particular more accessible to customers but also to make products and their farmers better known to the public.
From January they will create cocktails from a designated Shizuoka producer and his/her fruit or vegetable at regular intervals.
Moreover, the producer will be introduced in blogs and bars to prove the traceability and safety of the delicious fruit or vegetables.

But let me continue the introduction of those seven “samurai” and their establishments with Masayoshi Tainaka at Bar Le refuge!

As its name says “Le Refuge” is an establishment away from the bustle of the center of town which offers an haven of tranquility and privacy.

The menu sign outside is welcome because this is a dark if every safe street at night!

As I do not use flash as a rule the establishment does look dark from outside!

But the inside is cozy with diffused lights.
When you learn that it used to be a car park it is certainly a great improvement!

The solid wood counter does not sit more than 9 and Masayoshi Tainaka/田井中正剛 does accept in groups of more than 3 so as to preserve the calm and welcoming atmosphere of his establishment!

Masayoshi already had 8 years of bartending experience in Shimizu Ku where he hails from before he opened his haven in May 2008.
An accomplished cocktail bartender he is always willing to venture into new concepts but his forte like his same-minded friends is fruit cocktails!

Kiwi Fruit Cocktail (coming in next article!)

Strawberry cocktail!

If you are of the lone night owl tribe, or if you wish yourselves away from it all with a special companion, Le Refuge is the place in the new “secret street” in town!

BAR Le Refuge
420-0858 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenma-cho, 9-15, Ribelute-Hirano 1F-B (within walking distance from Cenova)
Tel.: 054-221-0339
Opening hours: 18:00~02:00
Closed on Sundays
HOMEPAGE/BLOG (Japanese)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

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

Baird Beer, Beer, 美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2012/01/18): 2012 Dark Sky Debut and Upcoming Taproom Events

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2012 Dark Sky Debut and Upcoming Taproom Events

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Our news cup has runneth over and this bulletin is packed with announcements. Where to start? That is easy: the 2012 debut of Dark Sky Imperial Stout.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Releases:
*Dark Sky Imperial Stout 2012 (9.5%):

This foreboding stout is a beer lover’s winter dream. It is pitch-black in color, unctuous in body, elusively complex in flavor, warming in alcohol and piquantly hoppy. This 2012 version is more highly attenuated than previous, bumping the alcohol strength to 9.5%. The hop BUs total 80 (up from 75 a year ago) and include significant aroma contributions from a combination of Sterling, East Kent Golding and Hallertau Tradition. As with all our big beers, we krausen at packaging to produce a secondary fermentation, natural carbonation and continued flavor evolution. If you want to take the nip out of winter, this is your brew!

Dark Sky Imperial Stout begins pouring at our Taproom pubs, and at other Baird Beer retailing establishments in Japan, on Friday, January 20. Bottles (633 ml) also are available and can be purchased either through our fine family of BB retailing Japan liquor shops or direct from the brewery via our online Eshop.

Upcoming Taproom Events:
*Big Beer Winter Weekend @ Nakameguro Taproom (Jan. 20 – 22):

This event is our annual ode to the wonderful world of strong beers, or winter warmers, as they’re known in season. We will be featuring twelve Big Beers (six Baird and six guest) during the weekend festivities. These will be:

(a) Baird:

Jubilation Ale
Hatsujozo 2012 Strong Belgian Gold
Yabai-Yabai Strong Scotch Ale
West Coast Wheat Wine
Dark Sky Imperial Stout
Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine
(b) Guest:

Rogue Mogul Madness
Green Flash Imperial IPA
Ballast Point Victory at Sea Imperial Coffee Stout
Lagunitas Imperial Stout
Left Coast Asylum Belgian Triple
Rogue Old Crustacean Barley Wine
Big Beer Winter Weekend Drink Cards (7,200 yen) containing punches for all twelve Big Beers will be available for purchase. Customers who complete the card during the weekend will receive a free, and newly designed, Baird Beer logo glass (500 ml or 250 ml size). A la carte Big Beer purchases will be welcome also.

In addition to the fantastic lineup of strong ales, chef Ishikawa and the kitchen staff are busy designing a special weekend food menu to match and compliment the big beers. Sayuri, John and I will be in attendance Friday evening to kick off this special weekend of gluttony. Please join us.

*Taproom Live — Sat. Jan. 21 @ Fishmarket Taproom; Sun. Jan. 22 @ Bashamichi Taproom:

Aside from good food and friendly camaraderie, nothing pairs better with beer than excellent music. We are privileged to be hosting two live performances of acclaimed Irish fiddle player, Dale Russ, who will be accompanied by his friend and accomplished musician, Kyoto-based Jay Gregg. Shows on both evenings will start at 7:00 pm. There will be a JPY 500 cover charge at the door. Hope to see you there!

Upcoming Taproom Improvements:

Both in the brewery and at our Taprooms, we always are in search of ways to get better. We have hit on two changes to our Taproom service that we think will further enhance the customer experience: (1) new Baird Beer glassware, and(2) newly designed Baird Beer menus.

Glassware plays an important role in the experience of fine beer. In our judgement, the finest beer glassware is crafted in Germany. It has taken us eleven years of hard work in order to be able to afford it, but at last we are turning to glassware from one of Germany’s premier makers — Sahm. Beginning Friday, January 20, Baird Beer poured at our Taproom pubs will be served in volume delineated and BB-logoed Sahm glasses (500 ml and 250 ml sizes for year-round beer; 400 ml and 200 ml sizes for seasonal beer).

Together with the new glassware, we will be debuting a beautiful new Baird Beer menu that has been designed by our talented artist friend, Ms. Eiko Nishida. It is a lovely, full-color menu, printed on wood that is bi-lingual (Japanese on one side, English the other). All of this has been in the making for some time now and we are thrilled finally to be ready to share it with you.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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

Baird Beer, Beer, 美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2012/01/10): Latest Seasonal Release; Upcoming Taproom Events

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Latest Seasonal Release; Upcoming Taproom Events

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Happy New Year! 2012 promises to be an interesting one in Japan in the arena of craft beer. Over the past 18-24 months the door to the Japan craft beer market has been kicked open wider than ever before: the core enthusiast community has expanded, the periphery is becoming curious, and the pub/restaurant world has begun to broaden its drink menus to include a greater choice of characterful craft beer.

We would like to contribute additional momentum to this movement with today’s release of a fantastic seasonal India Pale Ale: Brewmaster’s Nightmare Rye IPA.

New Seasonal Beer Releases:
*Brewmaster’s Nightmare Rye IPA (ABV 6.5%):

We love the flavor of rye malt in beer. It lends a spicy, dry character that we find especially pleasing when combined with large doses of piquantly bitter and pungently aromatic hops. The problem with using significant portions of rye malt in the mash is that it tends to make the wort more viscous and gummy, thus rendering lautering (separation of liquid wort from particle grain material) slow and difficult. This year, with more ambition than prudence, we loaded up the mash tun with a grist containing 50% malted rye! A lauter that normally lasts 90 minutes ran 5 hours, with much stress, strain and underletting — just ask Chris! Was it worth it? Oh man!

Part of the 5-hour lauter nightmare was spent readying a massive quantity of five wonderful hop varieties (Columbus, Citra, Nelson Sauvin, NZ Cascade, Motueka) for multiple dosings in the kettle boil. Why not add more to the whirlpool also? And how about a post-primary fermentation double dosing of dry hops in the conditioning tank? Yes and yes!

Brewmaster’s Nightmare Rye IPA is draught-only. It begins pouring at our Taproom pubs today (Tuesday, January 10). It also will be served at other draught dispensing Baird Beer retailers throughout Japan. Come in and get a few pints while the gettin’ is good!

Upcoming Taproom Events:
*Bashamichi Taproom 1-Year Anniversary Celebration (Sat-Sun, January 14-15, noon-close):

We opened the doors of our Yokohama Bashamichi Taproom on Saturday, January 15, 2011. Fueled by the BBQ dreams and passions of our pitmaster/manager, Chuck Morrow, the Bashamichi Taproom enjoyed a smokin’ first year. To celebrate the one-year birthday, and to show our thanks to the loyal customers that have supported it, the Bashamichi Taproom will be hosting a 2-day weekend BBQ and Baird Beer blowout bash. Highlights include:

-500 yen BBQ plate specials: chicken plate w/ cole slaw, pork plate w/ cole slaw, brisket plate w/ cole slaw, BBQ sandwich

-500 yen Baird Beer: The entire lineup of Baird Beer will be poured in our 400 ml plastic bura-bura cups for 500 yen a pop. This includes our special BT anniversary ale: Black Smoke Stout.

-Live Texas Blues on Sunday afternoon: The Sparky Trio will be rockin’ the house with great Texas blues. They will perform four separate sets beginning at 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 pm.

To facilitate smooth service, food and beverage will be cash-on only, no tabs or credit cards. Additional food and beer stations will be set up on the second floor for your convenience. Please join us for what promises to be a special celebration.

*Big Beer Winter Weekend @ Nakameguro Taproom (Fri-Sunday, January 20-22):

This year’s annual Big Beer Winter Weekend at the Nakameguro Taproom will be held Friday-Sunday, January 20-22. We will be pouring an amazing lineup of strong winter-warmer beers and serving them in conjunction with a special Otsumami menu. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for specific details which will be released very shortly.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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

Baird Beer, Bars, Beer, 美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2011/12/28): The Dawn of a New Year

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The Dawn of a New Year

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

It has become a Baird Beer tradition to greet the dawn of each new year with a special “First Brewed” (Hatsujozo) seasonal specialty beer. At the stroke of midnight on the evening of December 31, we — along with a host of other Baird Beer retailing pubs/restaurants in Japan — pour this commemorative Hatsujozo and share it with our fellow beer enthusiasts in a toast to the New Year.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Release:
*Hatsujozo 2012 Strong Belgian Gold (ABV 8%):

This year’s “First Brewed” is a take on a Belgian-style strong golden ale: a base-malt grist (Maris Otter, Pils, Munich, Sour) buttressed by a mammoth addition of Japanese korizato sugar that yields a strong 17.3 Plato wort; a moderate hopping regimen (30 IBU) that is conducted in five separate additions and combines nine different hop varieties (Motueka, Tradition, Perle, Vanguard, Glacier, Sterling, Hersbrucker, Saaz, Tettnanger); warm fermentation with our house Belgian ale yeast; and secondary fermentation and natural carbonation in package with the same Belgian ale strain. 2012 promises great things; Hatsujozo 2012 Strong Belgian Gold is the first it will deliver!

Hatsujozo 2012 is available this year exclusively in kegs. It is meant to be enjoyed at a fine pub or restaurant on draught and in the company of friends, family, colleagues and all the great people we count as beer enthusiasts.

Kampai to 2012!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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

Baird Beer, Bars, Beer, 美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Tourism

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2011/12/22): A Time for Jubilation

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A Time for Jubilation

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Life is a fleeting thing. Each of us is here but a very short time. The older we get, the more clearly we comprehend this inexorable reality. And despite the sometimes awful travails and the always regular monotony of life, it remains a mysteriously beautiful thing. The end-of-the-year holiday season provides wonderful occasion for reflection and appreciation of the joy of living.

At Baird Brewing, 0ur appreciation of this joy is manifested in a celebratory Christmas-New Year season holiday ale which we call Jubilation Ale.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Releases:
*Jubilation Ale 2012 (ABV 7.5%):

This malty rich, festively red-hued ale derives its special character primarily from the addition of two wonderful local ingredients: (1) fully ripened and freshly picked figs (ichijiku) and (2) cinnamon twigs culled from a Japanese nikki tree. The full bodied character combined with the attendant alcohol strength will warm the flesh just as it brings jubilation to the soul.

Jubilation Ale will be available on draught and in bottles (633 ml) throughout Japan beginning Friday, December 23. Consumer purchases of bottles direct from the brewery are possible through our online E-Shop.

Holiday Season Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

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

美食, 観光, 魚, Fish, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, sushi, Tourism, 寿司

Sushi Set in a Shizuoka City Supermarket!

4 Comments

There is this kind of quaint rivalry between Tokyo and the rest of Japan when it comes to gastronomy, a situation which is fueled by some famous/notorious guides of international repute/disrepute for obvious financial reasons.
How many times was I told almost brutally by other expats living the grand life of Tokyo that nothing compares with the metropolis when it comes to gastronomy…
Admittedly some regions of Japan are grudgingly granted some kind of recognition, i.e. Kyoto, Hokkaido, etc. under the leadership of the media cited above, but for the rest….
The case of Shizuoka is particularly acute. Tokyo expats (not all, mind ou!) go as far as considering Izu Peninsula and Mount Fuji as their own back gardens!
The situation is purposefully exacerbated by most famous restaurants in the Capital who certainly do not wish people at large to know too much about Shizuoka Prefecture for the simple reason that many of them wouldn’t exist without the myriads of vegetables, meat and fish varieties produced here.
Just visit a supermarket in Shizuoka City and you will understand my meaning! Actually, I stopped completely eating in Tokyo! My money is better spent looking for the hidden treasures of faraway Prefectures.
Enough complaining, and just allow me to show you an example to illustrate this topic:
As the Missus was working today I was responsible for the shopping.

This is what I found at the nearby Shizutetsu Supermarket: a sushi set prepared by Uogashi Company (they have a branch in Yokohama), a fish and sushi company located in Numazu City, in the Eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture.

The price: 980 yen! Less than 10 Euros or 13 US $!

And all the ingredients are clearly indicated!
Actually, you could buy in lieu of a bento box!
All the fish comes from nearby seas!

Now, what do we have?

From top to bottom, left to right:
Maguro & maguro akami/鮪赤身/tuna lean part. Not the bluefin tuna, but most probably mebachi maguro/目鉢鮪/big eye tuna.
Ika/烏賊/Cuttlefish, most probably surume ika/鯣烏賊/Japanese flying squid.
Shiradai (also called Shirodai)/白鯛/”White seabream” (Gymnocranius euanus Günther).
Sanma/秋刀魚/Pacific saury topped with chopped leek.
Tachiuo/太刀魚/Scabbard fish or largehead hairtail.

From top to bottom, left to right:
Ika/烏賊/Cuttlefish, most probably surme ika/鯣烏賊/Japanese flying squid.
Suzuki/鱸/Japanese seabass/seeperch.
Tamagoyaki/玉焼き/Japanese omelette.
Tachiuo/太刀魚/Scabbard fish or largehead hairtail.
Shirasu gunkan/シラス軍艦/A gunkan style sushi topped with raw sardine whitebait seasoned with chopped leek and ginger.
Sakuraebi Gunkan/桜海老軍艦/Cherry Shrimps seasoned with grated ginger.
You will not find the last two in Tokyo except in ridiculously priced exclusive restaurants!
Soy sauce and grated wasabi.

You will not find such a set at that kind of low price (if you are lucky enough to discover them fresh) for such variety and quality in Tokyo!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

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

Cocktails, 美食, 酒, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Fruit, Tourism

Fruit Cocktails by Wataru Matsumoto at Botanical (1): Kiwi Fruit!

2 Comments

Service: Pro and very friendly.
Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Splendid washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Great fruit cocktails. Always keen to learn from customers! Very comfortable cocktail bar.

Shizuoka Prefecture is actually the third producer of kiwi fruits in Japan way ahead of the rest!
It is full season for all kind of varieties during the winter and here is a basic recipe for any kind of this exquisite fruit!

RECIPE:

Kiwi fruit: 1
Home-made limoncello (Italian lemon liqueur)
Sugar syrup: 1 teaspoon
Ice
Tonic water

Peel and manually crush the kiwi fruit finely to a pulp.
Pour inside the glass part of a Boston Shaker with all the other ingredients.
Shake well.
Take out cleanly half of the ice.
Add tonic water and stir gently.
Pour the lot in a tulip glass and decorate with fresh mint.

A very refreshing liquid dessert!
Great balance between sweetness and tanginess!
As it is low in alcohol it will suit young people and ladies!
It actually contains an excellent amount of very healthy ingredients thanks to the fresh kiwi, the lemon and the mint!

BOTANICAL (Comfort Bar)
420-0082 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho, 1-6-13, Shade Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-221-8686
Opening hours: 17:00~01:00
Closed on Mondays.
Credit Cards OK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

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

Bars, Cocktails, 美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Tourism

Bartenders Club Shizuoka 2: Wataru Matsumoto at Botanical

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Service: Pro and very friendly.
Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Splendid washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Great fruit cocktails. Always keen to learn from customers! Very comfortable cocktail bar.

The Bartenders Club Shizuoka was founded last month by 7 celebrated bartenders all owning their own cocktail bar in Shizuoka City to not only promote their businesses and make fruit cocktails in particular more accessible to customers but also to make products and their farmers better known to the public.
From January they will create cocktails from a designated Shizuoka producer and his/her fruit or vegetable at regular intervals.
Moreover, the producer will be introduced in blogs and bars to prove the traceability and safety of the delicious fruit or vegetables.

But let me continue the introduction of those seven “samurai” and their establishments with Wataru Matsumoto at Botanical!

Wataru Matsumoto/松本亙 at Botanical (Comfort Bar) is not only an expert at his trade but is always keen to venture onto new paths and promote his peers!
Actually his establishment has turned into the meeting point of officionados always ready to share their views and enthusiasm with their neighbors whatever their social standing. Botanical is the place if you enjoy a nice and productive chat with your fellow drinkers and Wataru!

Kiwi cocktail (recipe in the next article!)

Wataru had already no less than 16 years in the trade in two different establishments before going independent with his cocktail bar Botanical (Comfort Bar) away from the bustle of central Shizuoka City on the 25th of July 2009.
His establishment looks like a European brick house with windows allowing for a discreet peek inside or outside ensuring both enough privacy and openness.

Wataru naturally will produce exquisite fruit and vegetables cocktails but will also please everyone with an enormous range of cocktails, fruit juices and even delicious coffe and tea for the non-drinkers you might encourage to come!

BOTANICAL (Comfort Bar)
420-0082 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho, 1-6-13, Shade Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-221-8686
Opening hours: 17:00~01:00
Closed on Mondays.
Credit Cards OK
RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

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

Bars, Cocktails, 美食, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Tourism

Fruit Cocktails by Masato Matsumura at Juillet (1): Squat Persimmon

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Service: Pro and very friendly, if a bit shy
Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Beautiful washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Great fruit cocktails. Doubles up as a coffee-bar. One of the rare establishments selling top-class cigars!

Squat Persimmons, called jirou Kaki/次郎柿 in Japanese) were actually first grown in Shizuoka Prefecture back in the 19th Century!
There are in full season now and can be appreciated as fruits, vegetables for salads and of course as cocktails!

RECIPE

Ripe squat persimmon: 1/2 (one half)
Havana Club Rum (red): 40 ml
Orange juice: 15 ml
Home-made Star Anise syrup: 2 drops
Crushed ice: 1 tablespoon

Peel and cut the persimmon in quarters and drop all ingredients inside a blender bowl. Use blender or even better a bar mix blender to attain the right consistency. Do not overblend it as it will become too liquid.
Pour in a semi-long glass.

Very deep and fruity taste with a great balance between acidity and sweetness with a tangy note, the whole enhancing greatly the exotic flavors of the persimmon!

To drink slowly!

JUILLET
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajyo, 2-10-8, Passsage Takjyo, 1F
Tel,: 054-273-5755
Opening hours: 12:00^24:00 (~21:00 on Sundays)
Closed on Wednesdays
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

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

Bars, Cocktails, 美食, 酒, 観光, 農業, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka, Tourism

Bartenders Club Shizuoka 1: Masato Muramatsu at Juillet

2 Comments

Service: Pro and very friendly, if a bit shy
Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Beautiful washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Great fruit cocktails. Doubles up as a coffee-bar. One of the rare establishments selling top-class cigars!

The Bartenders Club Shizuoka was founded last month by 7 celebrated bartenders all owning their own cocktail bar in Shizuoka City to not only promote their businesses and make fruit cocktails in particular more accessible to customers but also to make products and their farmers better known to the public.
From January they will create cocktails from a designated Shizuoka producer and his/her fruit or vegetable at regular intervals.
Moreover, the producer will be introduced in blogs and bars to prove the traceability and safety of the delicious fruit or vegetables.

But let me first introduce those seven “samurai” and their establishments starting with Masato Muramatsu at Juillet!

Juillet is located in a very quiet neighborhood on the firstt floor the “Passage Takajyo” building in Takajyo, a district replete with higher quality great restaurants, izakayas and bars.

You will be forgiven if you think it is another fashion shop at first!
But newcomers will soon discover this is a little haven away from the crowds all in sober and elegant white surroundings.

Actually Juillet is open at unusual hours (12:00~24:00) as it doubles up as a coffee-bar all day, too, where one can savor Masato’s wife’s cakes and his own scones!

Before Masato, a native from Yaizu City, opened his cocktail bar in December 2010 he had already had spent 15 years in the trade in the Kansai region and Kyoto where he met his future wife!

Shizuoka squat persimmon cocktail (recipe in next article!)

Masato is not only an expert in fruit cocktails, but he will be happy to concoct fresh fruit juice for non-drinkers apart of coffee, tea and soft drinks!

And Juillet is one of the rare establishments providing cigars of the best class!

JUILLET
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajyo, 2-10-8, Passsage Takjyo, 1F
Tel,: 054-273-5755
Opening hours: 12:00^24:00 (~21:00 on Sundays)
Closed on Wednesdays
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

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