Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:
If you are looking for the beery flavor of fall, seek no more. Baird Beer has captured that autumnal essence in two wonderful brews both of which are being released today: Country Girl Kabocha Ale and Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale.
1) Country Girl Kabocha Ale (ABV: 5.4%):
2007 marks the 6th annual release of this American-style pumpkin ale-inspired autumn elixir. Unlike American-style pumpkin ales, though, we brew Country Girl with Japanese kabocha (an indigenous pumpkin-like squash) and no pumpkin pie type spices. We add the freshly cooked kabocha in two additions — one during the mash and the other during kettle boil. The result is an earthy, rustic beer that still manages to deliver an extraordinarily sophisticated and subtle complexity of flavor. This unique beer honors the Japanese esthetic, best be described as “less is more.”
2) Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale (ABV 5.8%):
To the American sports fan, October means baseball World Series (also known as the “Fall Classic”). To me, the annual Fall Classic invariably brings back boyhood memories of watching and rooting for the great “Big Red Machine” Cincinnati teams of 1975 and 1976 World Series fame. Big Red Machine Fall Classic Ale was brewed initially in 2005 as a 30-year tribute to the Cincinnati Reds World Series champion team of 1975 (apologies to Red Sox fans!).
Brawny in the depth and richness of its malt character, this malt muscle is balanced beautifully by a wonderfully spicy and sprite hop essence. Much as the rare combination of power and finesse was a hallmark of the Big Red Machine on the field, so too is it a hallmark of the Big Red Machine in the pint glass!
Both brews now are being served at the Fishmarket Taproom in Numazu. They will be available also through select Baird Beer retailing pubs, restaurants and liquor shops in Japan beginning Friday, October 26. Bottle-conditioned versions of each style also may be purchased direct from the brewery via fax or email.
Cheers!
Bryan Baird
