Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:
Sultry summer commonly is the season for the swilling of industrial light lagers. With the crisply cool onset of autumn, the mass producers begin
stashing away their summer windfall to help nourish them through yet another long season of hibernation. For the craft brewer, however, the cool days beginning in autumn kick off a season of feverishly fun brewing activity. In concert with the drop in the climatic thermometer, the craft brewer orchestrates a rise in the brewery hydrometer thus inaugurating the season for rich, malty and warmingly alcoholic brews. Unlike the bikini and cold fizzy lagers, real beer is not just for summer!
Baird Brewing continues its celebration of autumn 2006 with the upcoming release (Saturday, October 28) of two special seasonal beers: Country Girl Kabocha Ale and Oktoberfest Lager.
(1) Country Girl Kabocha Ale (ABV approximately 5.8%)
2006 marks the 5th annual release of this unique Brewmaster’s Select Beer Series seasonal brew. Country Girl Kabocha Ale was conceived with inspiration from the craft brewing tradition of pumpkin ales brewed in the United States for Halloween season release. Our version puts a unique Japanese twist on this otherwise American style. Instead of pumpkin, we add Japanese kabocha (a more subtle, less sweet pumpkin-like squash) to the mash, to the kettle and, finally, to the serving keg or bottle itself. Also, unlike American versions, we do not add pumpkin-pie type spices to the mix. Rather, we rely on the subtle yet distinct richness of kabocha to meld with the luxurious flavor of our floor-malted Maris Otter barley to deliver a quietly sublime flavor experience. Deft additions of English East Kent Golding and Fuggle whole flower hops nicely round out the flavor profile.
(2) Oktoberfest Lager (ABV approximately 4.9%)
This is a first ever Baird Lager Beer Series seasonal brew. It is brewed in the classic style of German Marzen lagers and is our tribute to the glorious history and tradition of Bavarian brewing. The malt bill is classically German and includes Munich, Vienna, Carared and Melanoidan varieties. The hops are American (Magnum, Perle and Vanguard). The yeast is a unique Munich lager strain. The result is a rich, medium-bodied brew of great depth and extraordinary balance. Prost!
Both of these fall seasonal brews will be served at the Fishmarket Taproom beginning Saturday, October 28. They also will be available at Baird Beer Retailers throughout Japan.
On a related fall beer note, let us remind readers of the upcoming Great
Japan Beer Festival 2006 in Yokohama. Sponsored by the Japan Craft Beer Association, dozens of craft breweries from all over Japan (including Baird Brewing) will be pouring their beers in Oktoberfest style at the Osanbashi Hall in Yokohama this coming Saturday and Sunday. Sayuri and I will be in attendance ourselves pouring our Oktoberfest Lager, Red Rose Amber Ale, Rising Sun Pale Ale and Kurofune Porter. Please join us for some great autumn beer fun!
Event: Great Japan Beer Festival 2006 in Yokohama
Date: Saturday, October 28 (3:00 – 7:30 PM);
Sunday, October 29 (11:00 AM – 4:30 PM)
Place: Osanbashi Hall, Yokohama
Tickets: 3,500 yen purchased in advance;
4,000 yen purchased at the door
More Information: www.beertaster.org
Cheers!
Bryan Baird
