I'm back and the Sun is Shining....

That means more of this is on the way....

And for all you hop heads......Johnny Cask 75 Minute IPA...

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin 2009 #20

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

The heat and langour that typify the "dog days" of August are waning; autumn is in the air. Therefore, we are in a rush to release a first-time Baird Beer end-of-summer seasonal brew: Dog Days Golden Ale.

*Dog Days Golden Ale (ABV 5.3%):

Zesty and effervescent, Dog Days Golden Ale is lightly hopped (20 BUs) with three American varieties: Galena, Perle and Vanguard. The light kiss of hop bitterness is just sufficient to balance the soft honey-biscuit flavor of the simple malt bill (Maris Otter, Carahell, Caramel Wheat). A sprite floral hop flavor and aroma (dry-hopping with Vanguard) remind the imbiber that the end of summer is near. Let's enjoy what's left of it!

Dog Days Golden Ale will be available on draught at our Taproom pubs beginning Wednesday, August 26 as well as at other Baird Beer retailing pubs and restaurants in Japan. 633 ml bottles can be purchased direct from the brewery as well as through the fine family of Sakaya which retail Baird Beer in Japan.

As craft brewers, we enjoy autumn every bit as much as we do summer. In anticipation, and celebration, of the onset of fall, we are releasing (rather, re-releasing) a unique style of dark lager that we have been conditioning since its original release in April 2008: Baird Pacific Porter.

*Baird Pacific Porter (ABV 6.6%):

This is the Baird Beer version of a Baltic Porter (a strong dark beer fermented with lager yeast that has enjoyed historical popularity in Baltic region countries). The color is deep copper-brown. The aroma is soft, round and fruity with a hint of chocolate. The body is chewy but not thick. Subtly sweet flavors of caramel and milk chocolate are highlighted magnificently by an underbelly of nut and pit fruit character. The overall impression is one of smoothness and balance.

Limited quantities of Pacific Porter (including 360 ml bottles) remain and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
www.bairdbeer.com

I'M Back!

Friends, I'm back in Japan! After one of the greatest summers in the history of man, I have returned to the Land of the Super Dry to get back to teaching.

I will be back to posting as normal from this point on, expect twitter and your RSS feeds to be back to buzzing as usual.

It's time to organize a meet up for the fall...anyone have any suggestions??

Palmetto Brewing Company

Yesterday saw me driving around Charleston with the family. Good times. I had already done my homework and knew that I wanted to hit a few breweries when I was in the big city.

After lunch and a few brews at The Southend Brewery and Smokehouse, the fiance (still sounds weird!), the old man and I climbed in the car and went in search of The Palmetto Brewing Company.
I had done a little research about Palmetto and knew that it was started by a few friends who had the idea while windsurfing out in Oregon. They sounded like some cool dudes.


After driving around for a bit, I found Palmetto nestled between two old looking buildings. We walked up an open door, where we were greeted by two dogs. (Both friendly mind you!)



We walked into the door, and I could tell I was someplace good. I stared at the brewing equipment all around me and looked for someone to talk to. No one was in the office, or the small tasting bar next to it. I walked around a bit and found a bearded guy on top cleaning a mash tun. I yelled and he looked up. Now, most would think that this guy would give me a strange look since I was a stranger just walking around his brewery. Not Michael, the cousin of the founder as I was soon to find out.

Michael looked up at me, gave me a cool, "What's up?" and then I knew this was a cool craft beer guy. I told him that I wanted to know a bit about the brewery and take a tour, and he couldn't have been nicer. However, I didn't get a tour. Michael told me up front he was in a hurry to get out of the brewery, since it was a nice day and he was meeting some friends to sail. You can't argue with that.


We chatted for a few minutes where Michael told me that the brewery was started in 1994 by a couple of buddies who were fans of Full Sail in Oregon. They decided to come to South Carolina since at the time, there were no other craft breweries operating in the state. They got in early, and made a quality product that they and other South Carolinians could be proud of. Cheers to them.

Michael told me that he wanted me to come back the next day (today actually!) because they were going to be brewing up a coffee stout...an offer that was hard to turn down. (I went fishing with Dad and the brother-in-law this morning and did great!) Michael did tell me that Palmetto does give tours, but it might be wise to call first!



Palmetto regularly makes a Lager, Pale Ale, Amber and a Porter. I have tasted the Lager and the Pale Ale so far, and found them to be in top shape.

The boys at Palmetto are doing something right, and they are having a good time doing it. The short "tour" that we were given was capped off by tasting a few of the beers that Palmetto makes. Great stuff.

If you are in Charleston, make sure you stop by Palmetto and tell them The Good Beer Country Boys sent you. It's a bit hard to find, but the guys will welcome you once you arrive. There's no other way to beat the Charleston heat than with a Charleston Lager.... You will thank me!

Breweries in SC!

Just got back from The Palmetto Brewing Company, Folly Beach Brewing Co. (BeerAdvocate review here), and Southend Brewery and Smokehouse.


Many thanks to Erika from Folly Brewing and Michael from Palmetto! Reviews coming soon when I get my pics on the computer! I might try to make it back to Palmetto in the morning to watch the coffee stout being brewed up!

In my mind I'm gone to Carolina...

Wow. The summer break is going by quickly! I'm currently in South Carolina on Kiawah Island, and today I am trekking into Charleston with the family. Charleston has a few craft brews and brewpubs, so hopefully I can hit up a few.

Nate has left Japan for good. His brother has been visiting for the last two weeks and as of two days ago, he is back on KY soil for good. Maybe he will post here again one day, maybe not!

We're working on another project soon...I'll keep you posted!

I hope all the new ALT's in Japan are enjoying life! I am sure there are a few folks out there who just arrived in Japan and are wondering where good beer can be found. Fear not! We've built up a pretty good database here of friends and brews that can help you no matter what part of Japan you are in! Feel free to post in the comments and try to find some other beer lovers near you.

I'll be back in Japan on the 28th, and promptly will start school after that...should be a good fall!

OH YEAH. And I got engaged to the girl last Friday. Good summer break so far!

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin 2009 #19

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

The grand opening of our new taproom in Harajuku (Harajuku Taproom) is just around the corner. We open for business at noon on Saturday, August 8.

The Harajuku Taproom is a yakitori-izakaya style beer pub inspired by our love of the casual Japanese dining and drinking (and they always go together) experience. The decor is the simple and natural one of wood and stone which has been rendered even more magnificent by the craftsmanship of our world-class carpenter, Mitsuo Nagakura (everything is hand-made by him, including the furniture!). The food too is simple and natural, and fresh! Chef-manager, Tetsuya Naruoka, will be manning the grill with skill and his consummate enthusiasm. The beer will be Baird and it will be served impeccably. The house Harajuku Ale will be a real ale poured from a handpump and is a slight variation of the European Summer Ale we released earlier in the year. The Harajuku Taproom Celebration Ale is a kind of American-style IPA hopped to the heavens and frothing at the prospect of being enjoyed in the company of a plate of perfectly grilled Japanese skewers. As for the location, it is both convenient and fun (from Harajuku JR station walk down Takeshita-dori about 100 meters and turn left at the first intersecting road; walk 30 meters to the end of that road and the Harajuku Taproom will be staring at you from the right). Harajuku Taproom details are below:

Harajuku Taproom

1-20-13 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku

Tokyo 150-0001

Tel/Fax: 03-6438-0450

email: harajuku-tap@bairdbeer.com

Business Hours: Monday-Friday (5:00 pm - Midnight), Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays (Noon - Midnight)

The beer fun is not limited to the Harajuku Taproom, however. Bottles (633 ml) of Harajuku Taproom Celebration Ale will be available through the fine family of Baird Beer retailing liquor shops in Japan beginning Friday, August 7.

Harajuku Taproom Celebration Ale (ABV 6.5%):

This bold and pungently American-style IPA is for hop lovers only. Loads of BUs lend a boastful bitterness exceeded in arrogance only by the aromatics of what can best be described as a hop oil orgy. Cheers to Harajuku!

Lastly, the Baird Brewery is pleased to announce today's release of yet another unique annual summer seasonal beer: Asian Beauty Biwa Ale.

Asian Beauty Biwa Ale 2009 (ABV 6.0%):

Biwa is "the small, yellow, edible, plum-like fruit of the loquat tree." We had no idea what is was until our partner-friend-carpenter-farmer, Nagakura-san, brought some in two years ago for us to taste and then brew with. It is an extremely subtle fruit that harmonizes sweetness with tartness. Asian Beauty Biwa Ale is coyly fruity, spritely effervescent and yet delicately firm -- like a true Asian Beauty! It promises to be a superb August heat and humidity tamer.

Asian Beauty Biwa Ale 2009 is being sold in 633 ml bottles by fine Japanese liquor stores and is available on draught, beginning Friday, August 7, at our Taproom pubs as well as at other Baird Beer retailing pubs and restaurants in Japan.

Looking forward to seeing you either this weekend or soon thereafter at the Harajuku Taproom.

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
www.bairdbeer.com

Breckenridge Brews and Canis Major!

After living in Japan for a while, it's almost hard for me to believe how close I am here to some great brews. I've been enjoying as much as I can and seeing as many people as I can...but for sure I'm going to come back to Japan about 20 pounds heavier. Oh well, I've got time to lose it up in the Aichi hills!

Nate is only 5 days away from leaving Japan...give him your goodbyes!

It seems like all of the Jibeer bloggers and sites out there have died down during the summer drinking season. Hope all you newcomers to the sites will check out the past articles and remember to search the site for any beer you are interested in...

The girlfriend arrived safe and sound yesterday after a two hour delay...Better late than never!

Cheers again!

The Girlfriend Arrives Today!

Going to the airport to get the girl from the Lexington airport.... Good times to follow, and some big news! Nate is still MIA in Japan....I heard he was in Numazu last weekend and walked up some mountain....He's only got one more week in Nihon!

Cheers! Hope your days are warm and your brews cold...we'll be back to posting soon, but for the meantime--I'll be laying by the pool with some cold brews, no time for the net!