Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:
In expectation of Golden Week, Baird Brewing dialed up its diligence in the production of spring seasonal beer. Resultingly, we are pleased to announce today’s (Friday, April 28) debut at the Fishmarket Taproom of a maiden Baird Beer — Real Deal ESB.
“ESB” stands for “Extra Special Bitter.” As the name indicates, ESB belongs to the style family of beer known as “Bitter.” Within this style there are three members: Ordinary Bitter, Best Bitter and Extra Special Bitter. The main difference between the style members is strength — Ordinary being the weakest and Extra Special the strongest. Bitter is, of course, a classic English beer style. All Bitters, traditionally, are ales that undergo a secondary fermentation and conditioning in the cask (keg) and are served at the pub at low CO2 levels and cool (not cold) temperatures. Noted beer authority Michael Jackson describes Bitter as “the ale over which to talk. It is soothing, restful, relaxing and just slightly appetizing. It is meant for sessions at the pub with friends.”
Baird Real Deal ESB is just that — an Extra Special Bitter crafted with reverence for and in accordance with the glorious tradition of the style. The signature ingredients are England’s finest: floor-malted Maris Otter and Crisp Crystal malt and East Kent Golding whole flower hops. The mashing regime is simple infusion, there is no filtration and the beer is naturally carbonated through a secondary fermentation in the kegs from which it is dispensed. A starting gravity of 1.054 supports 48 units of bitterness and an alcohol percentage by volume of approximately 5.1%.
The gorgeous copper-red color and punchy hop aroma immediately give Real Deal ESB away. The mouthfeel is the rich and luxurious one of honeyed malt and fruit (we detect notes of cherry, strawberry, raisin and plum). The finish is fantastically clean and crisp and satisfyingly quenching. The wonderfully intricate balance between malt richness and hop zest no doubt will leave you nodding your head in appreciation of the Real Deal!
In addition to Real Deal ESB and the entire year-round lineup of Baird Beer, Bureiko Jikan Golden Ale also remains on tap at The Taproom. We strongly encourage you to stop in during this vacation week (Taproom will be open every day from noon to close beginning Saturday, April 29 and ending Sunday, May 7). Drinking real beer, fresh at its source and in the company of good food and friendly people, is a festival all in itself. As fellow beer enthusiast Michael Jackson notes, “Not every drinker has the opportunity to sample each ale in its natural habitat, but the chance is worth seizing if it arises. A wine tastes best on its own soil, in its own social and gastronomic environment. The same is true of all beer.”
Cheers!
