Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:
A central mission which informs the overall endeavor of the modern-day craft brewer is the delivery of variety. It would be no exaggeration to state that diversity in beer style was killed and buried during the cascading movement toward mass-production, mass-marketing and mass-consumerism throughout the industrial world in the mid- to late-twentieth century. To insist that there is variety among industrial offerings such as Budweiser, Stella Artois, Heineken, Molson, Asahi and the like would be an exercise akin to splitting hairs. Personally, I pleasurably drink many industrial beers. However, I do so understanding that while they account for the absolute lion’s share of production volume and consumer recognition, they represent what amounts to not even the tip of the beer world iceberg. The mammoth world of beer that lies below the surface of the exposed tip is the province of exploration that is of paramount interest to craft brewers and beer enthusiasts alike.
The explorations of this submerged and yet colossal world of beer conducted by the passionate beer explorers at Baird Brewing have resulted, hertofore, in our crafting of six year-round beer styles (Pale Ale, Amber Ale, India Pale Ale, Brown Ale, Porter and Stout), not to mention a plethora of seasonal styles. Fortunately, though, the exploration is ongoing and it is about to yield the seventh style in the year-round portfolio of Baird Beer. Lucky number seven is Baird Wheat King Ale.
While many breweries feature a “flagship” brand that carries the main load in terms of production and sales, we at Baird Brewing view our entire year-round lineup as our “flagship” brand. Consequently, we aim to represent as broad a swath of the ale beer world within our year-round lineup as possible. This means that up and down our entire portfolio, the beer enthusiast will see represented a significant variation in flavor, aroma, color, turbidity, gravity and alcohol strength. Wheat King Ale finds its place in this lineup as the new lead-off hitter (our Ichiro, if you will). It is low in gravity (1.0420) and alcohol strength (ABV approximately 4.2%) but big in flavor production and refreshment. It is an ale of great versatility, flourishing most, however, in the roles of apertif, session beer, and drink companion to fish, poultry and lightly but zestily seasoned food dishes. While enjoying a depth and dynamism that make it a satisfying year-round libation, Wheat King Ale likely will dazzle you most with its refreshing qualities in hot and sultry weather (e.g. summer in Japan!). Wheat King Ale will become the table-setter for the Baird Beer year-round lineup. We hope and trust that you will enjoy!
Wheat King Ale will make its debut at the Fishmarket Taproom this Saturday, July 15, thus kicking off our 1st Annual Baird Summer Beer Fest. Complimentary posters of Wheat King Ale will be offered for the first fifty pints ordered (limit one per customer). The artwork for Wheat King Ale has been crafted by our wonderful friend and hugely gifted artist, Ms. Eiko Nishida. The posters are memorabilia that you will not want to miss. Following The Taproom debut of Wheat King Ale this Saturday, it also will be made available for purchase through the growing family of Baird Beer retailers within Japan.
Cheers,
Bryan Baird
