Good Beer and Country Boys

What to Choose?

2011-01-24T01:47:00.002+09:00

So in less than a month there will be a new Good Beer Country Girl added to the family. No, not a writer, at least not till 2032 at least, but my daughter. That leads to a critical question: What should I celebrate with?

I don't care for champagne, and always slide that over to the wife at weddings. And wine, I don't really drink that either; although some is on hand (minus the bottle another Good Beer Country Boy who won't be named put in the freezer without telling anyone because he thought it would be a good idea after a lot of beer drinking only to forget and leave it to be found exploded some time the next day).

So fittingly, I need a good beer to celebrate with and am open to suggestions. What would you pick?

The Hop Season

2011-01-22T05:50:00.003+09:00

I found some Bell's Hopslam this week at the Lexington Liquor Barn, and I saw on Facebook that The Beer Trappe had Sierra Nevada Hoptimum in stock.

Just for a general poll, do you fall for these super hoppy beers, or do you see them as just a fad? I think the hop movement has really changed the face of beer, and we won't ever be the same again.

Or am I just wishing?

How to Bring an Alcoholic Beverage to Market

2011-01-22T05:24:00.001+09:00

How to Bring an Alcoholic Beverage to Market

I think the subtitle says it all. Except, whoever wrote this article didn't really figure it out either past finding a distributor.

Two New Beers

2011-01-20T13:20:00.003+09:00

Well, new to me. So that means a real beer post tonight and not just filler. You know when you are out and about visiting breweries and beer stores and you buy a good beer, put it in the fridge and it ends up being hidden behind some old leftovers from dinner in the back? Well, the feeling when you find that beer is pretty sweet.

The beer I had forgotten about was a Thornbridge Kipling. It's easy to make a bad IPA, and they are so particular to people's individual tastes. It's probably due to preferences of bitterness. Kipling, besides being an excellent author (read Kim), is a fine beer. It has a fruit like flavor and is a Pacific style pale ale. In all honesty, I'm not 100% sure what clearly defines a Pacific style other than the origin of the hops. These are Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand and are known for a fruitiness, similar to wine. What I really liked was this beer didn't leave a bad finish, a problem I have with a lot of IPAs. I'm a fan of this beer and look forward to trying some other stuff from Thornbridge. If you are a brewer (which admittedly I am not) and are interested in the hop, I believe this is it: http://www.nzhops.co.nz/varieties/nelson_sauvin.html. The brewery has what looks like an extensive web site. I haven't had a chance to check it out in depth, but visit here: http://www.thornbridgebrewery.co.uk/index.php.

The other beer I tried for the first time I actually had been putting off. DH and I made a trade of a few brews a few months ago and he slipped in a Founders Backwoods Bastard. This may sound like beer blasphemy, but I've not really found many Founders that I actually like, until now. The Backwoods Bastard was fantastic. Throwing some beer in a bourbon barrel doesn't automatically make it a well crafted beer. This was done right. As pretentious and wine snob like as it sounds, smell is one of the first things I always notice about a new beer. And bourbon is one of the best smelling things ever. They nailed that part of it. The other tricky thing about bourbon and beer is for it to really work it has to be smooth without being flat. The bitters and carbonation can really mess it up. This was the first bourbon barrel that I've really felt combined beer and the bourbon flavor very well. Loved it.

Anybody tried these and have thoughts?

The World's Most Epic Beer Run

2011-01-20T08:47:00.002+09:00

It may be cool, but brother, that ain't craft brewin.

The World's Most Epic Beer Run

Life.

2011-01-19T11:47:00.001+09:00

It's 9:47PM on a Tuesday. I'm drinking a Bell's Hopslam, Michi leaves for Japan in the AM and UK is losing. Yes, It's going to be that kind of night.

Stone Skips Across the Pond

2011-01-18T04:40:00.002+09:00

Enjoy this video (if you haven't already seen it) of Greg Stone having a small adventure across the pond. Remember, the best reason to brew and drink beer is to have fun with your friends and have some new adventures.

Stone Skips Across the Pond | Full version from stonebrew on Vimeo.

Beer Run

2011-01-15T23:57:00.005+09:00

We've all had to make one.

Louisville Beer Store Calendar

2011-01-15T21:28:00.002+09:00

Although we will write more on the Beer Store later, I wanted to go ahead and link to their event list because there are a number of good tastings coming up. They also are good about bringing guys from the breweries to the tastings as well. So if you are in the Louisville area, check these out.

http://louisvillebeerstore.com/calendar

2011 Release: Dark Sky Imperial Stout; Bashamichi Taproom Opening January 15

2011-01-12T21:06:00.004+09:00

(From DH: It's an exciting time for Baird. They are opening up their FOURTH taproom and releasing some great beers. Dark Sky is an amazing beer and one of my top five made in Japan. I am lucky, as the wife is headed there next week and can bring me back a few!!!)

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Do you need help taking the bite out of the winter chill? We have just the beer antidote for you: Dark Sky Imperial Stout.

New Seasonal Beer Release:

*Dark Sky Imperial Stout 2011 (ABV 8%):

This foreboding stout is a beer lover’s winter dream come true. It is pitch-black in color, unctuous in body, elusively complex in flavor, warming in alcohol and piquantly hoppy. This 2011 version marks a return to our house Scottish ale yeast (from last year’s experiment with a British ale yeast). We also have increased the hop IBUs from previous (65 to 75) and added, for the first time, ample quantities of roasted wheat, which increases body but also lends a nice sprite and tangy character to the flavor.

Fortunately, we remembered to keg a good quantity of this year’s batch so draught Dark Sky Imerial Stout is back. Our Taproom pubs and other Baird Beer retailing pubs/restaurants will begin pouring draught Dark Sky on Friday, January 14. It also will be released in bottles (633 ml) on that same day. Individual consumers can purchase bottles direct from the brewery via our online E-Shop.

Other News:

*Bashamichi Taproom Opens its Doors Saturday, January 15 at Noon:

Yes, the wait is almost over. Our newest Taproom, the Bashamichi Taproom in Yokohama, opens for business at noon on Saturday, January 15. The Bashamichi Taproom is our first pub to focus on authentic American BBQ (i.e. meat smoked and cooked low and slow over a wood fire). This match between barbecue and Baird Beer is, in a word, profound! Stop in and see for yourself.

In addition to serving fresh cuts of Pit Master Chuck’s glorious BBQ (brisekt, ribs, pulled pork …), we will be pouring a tremendous lineup of Baird Beer including some new offerings such as Bashamichi Ale (peat-smoked brown ale), Port City Pils and Bashamichi Celebration Ale (rye-accented IPA).

We look forward to welcoming you to the Bashamichi Taproom on Saturday. Bashamichi Taproom operating hours will be as follows:

-Weekdays (5:00 pm -Midnight), Weekends & National Holidays (Noon – Midnight)

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Digging through the Dust...

2011-01-12T20:54:00.003+09:00

It's no secret that we love to hit the liquor stores in search of buried treasure. What you might see as an out of date, old, dusty bottle on the back of the shelf--we might see as an amazing find. This year alone Nate and I have found dozens of old, higher ABV beers sitting on the shelf just waiting for us to discover. We each bought a few 2007 Dogfish World Wide Stouts, other IIPAs and the like.

Watching us go to craft beer stores is liking watching some women shop for shoes. In fact, I think my wife is just as bored watching me shop for beer as I am watching her shop for...anything other than beer.

Sometimes, you come across a diamond in the rough. Like this picture, where Michi and Nate found some treasures at The Beer Store in Louisville.

Not only did they have Baird, but Ise Kadoya IPA as well. I bought several of each. Tasty.

It's Tuesday, and you know what that means...

2011-01-11T22:42:00.004+09:00

It's a snowy Tuesday in the Bluegrass. For me, that means I have to make the 50m commute to work in the snow. For others, it's a bit more treacherous. Tuesday in the Bluegrass can mean many things to many people. For instance, there is a UK Basketball game tonight. For others, it means that today is the day you have to have the meeting at the office with the guy who has chronic halitosis. For the enlightened few, it means The Chase Taproom.

The Chase Taproom is located in downtown Lexington, about two minutes walk from Rupp. It's a nice cozy bar, no food, and in a decent location. Those are all OK things. But Tuesday is the day this place comes alive.

You see, on Tuesday-all pints at the Chase Taproom are $2. That's right, only $2 for PBR. That's a pretty good deal. What's that? You don't like PBR? OK, well pints of Stone Arrogant Bastard, Dogfish 90 Minute IPA, Founder's Red Rye, Schlafly Bourbon Barrel, Bell's Two Hearted, Flying Dog Pale Ale, and all others are $2 as well.

You read that correctly. You could drink five of these great craft beers for $10. That's just stupid. I don't know how this place is making any money, so you better get your butt there ASAP; it might not be around forever.

The beers were all in good form, and the staff was nice. The place started off a bit slow, but a crowd quickly gathered around 9PM. The lineup changes from week to week, so give them a call first to see what's good this Tuesday.

And oh yeah, if you see me there...buy me a pint.

Makes A Great Gift 5.0

2011-01-11T01:21:00.002+09:00

Just remember not to climb and drink.

Sports and Beer

2011-01-03T07:29:00.007+09:00

Sports and Beer go hand in hand. Tailgating, Super Bowl parties, Hu Dey beer; it's interwoven in the sports culture. But beer as a sports drink is just offensive. I'm pretty tolerant of Bud Light, Miller Light etc. I don't mind drinking them from time to time. On the other hand, Michelob Ultra has always annoyed me. That pains me a little, as some of the first beers outside of Bud and Miller that both DH and myself tried were from a Michelob sampler pack. That sampler featured a number of things we both thought terrible at the time, but it also opened up the idea that there is a larger beer world out there. In a sense, it was a gateway beer to real craft brews.

I think the root of my annoyance with Ultra lies mostly in their commercials. Like the one above, they mostly feature people biking, running, swimming or participating in other sports. It's a niche they've specifically targeted by hiring Lance Armstrong as their spokesman and sponsoring athletic events. They even operate from a different web site than the other Michelob products. I don't mind companies trying to make a good light beer. And I certainly don't mind people drinking them, or trying to get fit. This marketing approach just seems a little insulting. I would rather encourage people to drink one good craft brew a week rather than 10 beers they drink just for the sake of drinking. If you like Bud, Miller, Michelob or whatever, fine. Drink it. You don't need guys on bikes telling you it's OK, though.

It's certainly not the first combo of beer and athletics. In fact, hashers have been doing what those commercials show for years.

Side Note: see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers for what hashers are. In short they describe themselves as "a drinking club with a running problem." Their constitution from original group is admirable (again from Wikipedia, assumed correct):

To promote physical fitness among our members
To get rid of weekend hangovers
To acquire a good thirst and to satisfy it in beer
To persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel

Here's where I see the difference. The hashers are people that like a good drink and they like sports. There is no misrepresentation there. Ultra pushes itself as a cross between Gatorade and beer. These ladies even recognize that it's a red flag:

Of course, their getting rid of beer option to cure obesity is just absurd. After all, the New York Times tells us that drinking encourages exercise.

Finally, I may have it all wrong. I'm willing to buy some and give it a shot. It seems to have worked out for the Untamed Beer guy (just don't expect me to run 5 miles, then drink it):

The New Albanian Brewing Company

2010-12-29T22:03:00.006+09:00

The New Albanian Brewing Company located in New Albany, IN really has something good going on. A few weeks ago, Nate and I headed up to Louisville to meet our good buddy Ethan and tour some brewpubs. It just so happened that we would start this snowy day with a trip across the river their Bank Street Brewery.

If you are in or near Louisville, this place should be a staple. It was only about 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, and really easy to find. We arrived at 12PM on a Sunday, as they were opening, and were very well received. We grabbed some seats at the bar and Tonya took great care of us. Many people underestimate the amount of power that a bartender has over the beer. A well knowledgeable barkeep can make the experience much more enjoyable, while a stinker of one can ruin it. Tonya was great.

We sampled all of the beers and I was very impressed. For starters, 5 four oz. tasters were $5, which is very, very reasonable. There were about 15 beers on tap, and most were delicious. I have to say that my favorite (of course) was the Imperial IPA, Hoptimus. The label for it has just been approved and will be hitting stores in the area soon! (Check the label release here on Beernews.org)

The Imperial Bonfire, a 8.5% Smoked Black Lager was really good as well. Ethan made the mistake of ordering a pint of this one first, which in his words started, "knockin' me upside the face" way too early in the day.

They had several different styles of brews in their lineup, which shows that they aren't afraid to step out and try something new. They converted me, and I will return.

Oh yeah, and the food is good too--or so I hear.

Merry Christmas Friends

2010-12-25T12:55:00.002+09:00

Well, hello there. It's been a while. Some might say that I was suspended after DH returned from vacation to find I had written many meaningless posts and spent all my time watching youtube videos. But nevertheless, I have cracked the blog code and am back to writing. We've had some great adventures lately, and as DH mentioned, he will be reporting on some of the stops made in my home area. Especially since he has all the pictures. Pictures he insisted we take in front of each stop in spite of the cold and snow. Fortunately there was beer to be had at every location to warm us up and the snow held up just enough to prevent the visiting Good Beer Country Boys (and girls) from being stranded in Louisville. I'll wait till DH posts to weigh in on my thoughts about our Louisville beer excursions (some were better than others but they all had their positives), but I will say it's been an exciting year around here in the beer world and more good things are on the way. And to avoid this being another meaningless post I want to say have a safe and very joyous Christmas.

Baird Single-Take Session Ale

2010-12-23T07:11:00.001+09:00

Debuting Live (Christmas Day)

December 23, 2010

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

As you know, we have been spending a good part of 2010 celebrating and commemorating the 10-year anniversary of both the Taproom business and Baird Beer. On Christmas day we continue in this vein with the debut release of the 10th beer in our year-round portfolio: Single-Take Session Ale.

Single-Take Session Ale (ABV 4.7%):

Artistically, one of my real inspirations as a brewer has been great music performed by legendary musicians. Truly characterful music, of any genre, possesses the power to transport listeners to places of bliss and sorrow and soulful reflection that are otherwise difficult for listeners to access independently. Beer of great character is similar in its potential affect on imbibers. Over the years I have been struck by the fact that artisans of enduringly meaningful music tend to approach their craft much as do craftsmen of artisanal beer — with an internal rather than external measuring stick; with authenticity and personal integrity trumping commercialism and mass popularity as motivating forces; and with the intrinsic value of the artistic effort placed ahead of the profit motive.

Rock legend Bob Dylan tops my list of inspirational musicians of this ilk, but Neil Young is not far behind. In fact, it is Neil Young and his preference for raw, in-the-moment and often un-rehearsed ’single-take’ recording sessions that provide immediate inspiration for the naming and label design of Single-Take Session Ale. At Baird Beer, we brew in “single-take” batches, if you will: i.e. we take minimally processed ingredients yearly as they are, brew with them with as much simplicity and as little processing as possible, and depend on the intelligence of our philosophy and the acumen of our skill to yield an outstanding result. The “single-take” approach, pursued properly, produces beer, and music, that is of consistent high quality but not of uniform quality. This distinction between consistent excellence and uniform excellence is a vital and often misapprehended one. We strive always to be excellent, but we don’t desire that excellence to taste precisely the same in every bottle of every batch of every brand. That, to us, is “single-take” brewing. Done correctly, it rocks!

In the beer world, a “session” beer would be considered an ale or lager that is of low-to-moderate original gravity and final alcohol content that can be consumed pleasurably in fairly substantial quantity over the entire duration of the imbibing session. In the bigger is bolder is better world of craft beer, sadly, session beers have become few and far between. From a brewing perspective, session beers arguably are more challenging to craft for the simple reason that the brewer needs to obtain character in the beer while employing smaller amounts of ingredients than normal. When the conception is good and the brewing implementation outstanding, though, there are few if any beverages in this world more sublimely satisfying than a session beer.

The concept for our Single-Take Session Ale is this: a moderate gravity (11.7 P) Belgian-yeast fermented ale that enjoys lots of hop-flavor and hop-aroma character without exhibiting much hop-bitterness (only 20 IBUs). We want Single-Take to deliver a complex yet balanced flavor explosion that is bright and sprite and never fatiguing. A deft grist combination of floor-malted barley (Maris Otter and Bohemian Pilsner), wheat and rye provide the perfect stage upon which our whole hop actors (German Tettnanger, Czech Saaz, American Santiam and Amarillo) get to sparkle. Our Belgian yeast strain holds the entire flavor performance together with its firm, spicy and tart directorial oversight.

In the glass, Single-Take shows in the hazy hue of orange-gold underneath a snow-white head of pint-lacing foam. The aroma is succulent, like the scent of a softly perfumed elegant woman. A burst of honey-dewed, juicy-fruit flavor follows the olfactory experience in a performance prolonged by the bubbly effervescence provided by natural secondary-fermentation derived CO2 carbonation. And then … puff… the finish manages to be both instantly vanishing and yet persistently exhilarating.

Single-Take Session Ale makes its debut on Christmas day, Saturday, December 25 throughout Japan. In the spirit of Santa Claus, we will be offering Single-Take at a 100 yen discount at our Taproom pubs all day on Christmas. Consumer purchases of bottles (360 ml) direct from the brewery can be made through our online E-Shop.

Merry Christmas!

Bryan Baird

An interview with Chris Poel!

2010-12-22T04:33:00.003+09:00

I've got some posts coming about some great (and not so great) breweries in the Ky area, but until then, watch my good friend Chris Poel of Baird Beer talk about brewing and what Baird has in store for the new year!

Makes a Great Gift 4.0

2010-12-22T04:13:00.002+09:00

If you hate someone that is.

Beer Emergency

2010-12-21T06:08:00.001+09:00

I'm at the office at 4pm during the lamest of lame duck work weeks. I need a beer, stat.

Congratulations Brian Sheets!

2010-12-13T23:46:00.006+09:00

A mustached firefighter from Orlando has won the Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year award. This award is not given to the person with the most badass mustache, but to the person who does something badass that has to do with mustaches while sporting a mustache. You can read all about Brian Sheets and his lip sweater adventures here.Said Brian Sheets, "Winning is a great honor for me, as well as for all the firemen who have served under the influence of the mustache. A man without a mustache — is he really a man? I believe not, considering the command presence and extraordinary power that comes with one. And this great honor tells me my beliefs are taking me in the right direction.”
The Good Beer Country Boys raise a pint to Brian Sheets. May beer foam consistently grace the lush carpet of your upper lip (except when you are fire fighting of course).

On a slightly related note, I did awesome things in Louisville yesterday while having a mustache. DH, Ethan, significant others, and I went to Louisville in search of the GREAT BEER. We visited a few classy establishments which DH will be posting about. He had his little nerd notebook out and was taking nerd comments like "two thumbs up!" and "tastes good to me!" Above are three beers I got at the Louisville Beer Store: O'Fallon's Wee Heavy, Bell's Batch 10,000, and Upland's Winter Warmer.

What is the appeal of Light Beer?

2010-12-12T00:35:00.001+09:00

I remember when I was a light beer drinker. My friends and I would head to our favorite spot and get a pitcher of the yellow stuff. I can't remember anything about the beer, other than the fact that it was what we drank when we were together. To be certain, the times were more about looking for girls and hanging with the guys than drinking good beer.

I'm trying to remember what the appeal of light beer was.... Was it the fact that it was familiar? Easily accessible? Cheaper? Were we just ignorant? I'm guessing that it was a combination of all of the above.

I look back on my time in Japan and think about why so many people drink the Big 4. I think that people there drink those mass produced beers for the same reasons. It's just too easy to walk to the combini and grab a mass produced brew than to take the time to search out something more interesting.

What is it that makes craft beer drinkers different?

Why do you think the average Joe still drinks the Light crap??

Baird Beer News & Taproom Events Email Bulletin December 9, 2010

2010-12-09T13:23:00.000+09:00

Seasonal Releases: West Coast Wheat Wine and More!

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

The cool weather and short days provide the perfect season for the enjoyment of hearty, warming and complex ales of potency. We are pleased to greet the season with the release of our 2010 version of West Coast Wheat Wine. To make this year’s release extra special, we are unveiling new brand artwork for West Coast Wheat Wine crafted for us by our friend and immensely talented artist, Ms. Eiko Nishida.

West Coast Wheat Wine 2010 (ABV 8.2%):

Wheat Wine is a beer style born on the U.S. West Coast in the 1980s, thought to have been originally brewed at the Rubicon brewery-pub in Sacramento, California. It has as its progenitor the British Barely Wine style. A Wheat Wine, generally, is characterized by a rich and hearty complexity that is lightened and made a touch sprite by a predominantly wheat, rather than barley, malt base. It is a style representative of the irreverent creativity and unrelenting passion that are hallmarks of craft brewing on the West Coast of the United States. Baird West Coast Wheat Wine is crafted in annual homage to the skilled brewing artisans and fearless beer entrepreneurs who have pioneered craft brewing on America’s great West Coast!

This 2010 version of West Coast Wheat Wine contains no character malt whatsoever and thus appears in a wonderfully hazy hue of sunset gold. The flavor is characterized by a deep, layered wheat malt complexity that is complemented beautifully by a cleanly bitter hop character (exclusive use of U.S. West Coast hops: Magnum, Horizon, Perle, Sterling). Two yeasts (American and Scottish) combine in two stages of fermentation to add further flavor complexity and to produce a piquant all-natural carbonation.

West Coast Wheat Wine will be available at various of our Taproom pubs and at other Baird Beer retailing pubs and liquor shops beginning Friday, December 10. Bottles (633 ml) can be purchased by individual consumers direct from the brewery via our online E-Shop.

Other New Seasonal Beers on Tap:

We also have just released two new small-batch ales which are pouring as Real Ale from the hand-pumps of our three Taproom pubs: Queen & Country Pale Ale and Wheaty Stout.

*Queen & Country Pale Ale (ABV 5%):

This British-style Pale Ale is a deep golden-amber color, exhibits a pleasant caramel-like sweetness in the mouth and finishes with a burst of herbal hop flavor. The dry-hop aroma (NZ Hallertau Aroma and Slovenian Styrian Golding) is grassy, herbal and just a touch spicy.

*Wheaty Stout (ABV 6%):

Midnight black in color and pouring with a massively dense tan-brown head, this hoppy stout (50 BUs of a combination of Warrior, Columbus, Simcoe, Amarillo) is surprisingly light in body due to ample additions of an unique blend of wheat malts (British base wheat, carawheat, chocolate wheat, and un-malted roasted wheat). If you enjoy stouts and porters, this is a must try.

Please visit one of our Taproom pubs soon for a tasting of these splendid real ales.

Holiday Season Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Sunday trip?

2010-12-09T03:07:00.000+09:00

Some of these boys are thinking about a Sunday trip to Louisville to: A. See Ethan and B. visit a couple of breweries. Anybody in the 'Ville want to meet up for a few cheeky pints?

I'm Upset.

2010-12-03T12:59:00.002+09:00

I'm drinking the 2010 Stone Lukcy Basartd. It's good. Really good. It's fresh. It's delicious. It's everything I want in a beer. If I could, I would fill a bathtub with it and.....drink it all. It's that good.

Kentucky finds itself falling too quickly into winter. Snow is falling, the wind is blowing, and Nate and I are outside brewing up an Imperial Stout that will be good. Nate has his six barrel kegerator up and running (yes, you want one) and it is full of kegged homebrew. By far, our Old Dirt Floor Brew has been the best that I think we have made. (Though his Pumpkin Beer was DAMN good.)

I'm working on a post about The Beer Trappe, a new craft beer bar here in Lexington that is doing amazing stuff. It's a place that is going to define and be the trend setter for new craft beer places in the US.

I heard Shinya is brewing at Baird Beer in Numazu. That means, drink the beer. Shinya is a badass and has been trained by the best. Chris Poel and Bryan Baird continue to do their thing. I miss those bastards and wish I was drinking their beer.

I'm upset, I said. Someone send me a cool $10 million so I can travel the world, give some to the less fortunate, and drink the cold beer with my friends. I need it.

Makes a Great Gift 3.0

2010-12-03T06:22:00.003+09:00

On the other hand, just drink your beer.

Beer Savers

Most Expensive Beer's Price Soaring

2010-12-01T22:57:00.002+09:00

This one-upped Brewdog's stuffed dead animal End of History to become the most expensive beer ever. And it keeps getting more expensive.

But does it count when the constantly rising price is not suggested retail, but a donation to a dumb organization?

Does anyone in America really care? Sam Adams Utopias is about $150 (if you can find one) but that's about as pricey as they get. I bought a 2007 Dogfish Head Worldwide Stout (18% abv) for $7. Us Americans are all about bang for the buck.

Makes a Great Gift 2.0

2010-12-01T03:31:00.004+09:00

Ever get tired of just drinking your friend's homebrew instead of making your own? (I don't.) Well, if you know someone who would like to get into the homebrew lifestyle, Brooklyn Brew Shop has your back.

Craft Beer in Louisville and General Thoughts

2010-11-25T00:44:00.007+09:00

Although a number of our posts are all about bringing in some crazy/fun aspects of beer from across the internet, we are all passionate about craft beer. So look for a number of more serious posts on its state in Kentucky, and from my perspective Louisville. So here are some initial unresearched and over simplified thoughts to go with an article on the Louisville Craft Beer scene. The article below is a great primer for what's going on here. It gives some of the highlights of what's happening, and in the future I'll delve into the details a little more.

http://leoweekly.com/news/keep-louisville-local-raising-bar

The first thing that jumps out at me, though, is the growth in consumption and investment of our local establishments and the relatively new Louisville Beer Store itself. The past three years have not been a kind economy for development, people have cut back on spending, unemployment in many areas is over 10%, yet the craft brew related industries are rapidly growing. Brewers are expanding, and that means banks are lending. There is a recognized market that's growing and money is following that.

Coming back to the article it is important to take note that development is local. Did BBC spend a ton of money building a new brewpub? Yes, but they also built it next to the new arena in downtown Louisville. Were it not for that arena, I doubt the new BBC gets built. I think that is a good example of how craft beer growth continues in areas of the state and country where it is not as prevalent, though. Not building next to arenas, but building brewery/restaurants. Many of these places require food be sold if you are selling alcohol, anyway, but more importantly average priced good restaurants may be the best avenue to introduce new people to good beer. Just get them in the door.

There are several implications to all this. First and most simply, if more people buy craft beer more craft beer gets made. That's easy. Second, and what I am really interested to see, is if this growth leads to regulatory change that makes it easier to sell, ship and make beer for the little guys.

Finally, back to the economics of it. Why have craft beer sales grown when the large domestics are flat? There are many answers to this and I don't want to oversimplify it, but I think one of the reasons is that good beer drinkers really appreciate and enjoy beer. I would rather drink a bottle of well crafted beer once a week than the large domestics every day. That's not to say I don't enjoy a Miller High Life or turn up my nose and reject a friend's offer of Bud (I do draw the line at Coors), but there isn't the same enjoyment or appreciation of a good craft beer. And that's worth keeping a little higher on the priority list.

This has been a shotgun blast of initial thoughts, spurred by the article above, and as we get a little deeper into them some may be off the mark. So, sorry for rambling, writing a long post and throwing some scattered thoughts out there, but it's better than you'll get from me after being stuffed tomorrow!

Makes a Great Gift

2010-11-24T03:43:00.004+09:00

Being of the married variety, I know that having a book full of pictures of beer cans is slightly more attractive to the opposite sex than actually having a bunch of beer cans around. Just keep that in mind.

Brewmasters: Asking the questions that you are scared to ask.

2010-11-23T23:26:00.004+09:00

No to be a hater, because I am not, but because DH always looks on the bright-ass shiny side of everything, here is my two cents (sense?) on Brewmasters.

1. Why is it called Brewmasters when it only focus on a single Brewmaster, Sam Caligione? I would love to see each episode dedicated to a different craft brewery that is pushing the envelope. You know Greg Koch from Stone would love some face time on Discovery.

2. Who is backing Sam's play? He presents himself as the guy that is making the beer, the guy scouring the world for ingredients, the guy answering the phone, the guy selling Brew Magic systems, the guy giving tastings, the guy writing the books, the good husband and the good father. Seriously, watch the documentary Beer Wars. Sam can't be doing all of these things alone.

3. Will they change breweries with a 2nd season or will Sam start making even crazier stuff to keep the ball rolling?

4. How many more, already slightly overpriced, bottles of Dogfish Head will Sam sell? Will Brewmasters do for Dogfish Head what Sideways did for Pinot Noir?

5. Finally, will Sam, or someone backing his play (I know you are out there), ever read this post? If you do, picture this: A hot tub placed in-line between the heat exchanger and hot water tank. Every time you transfer a brew, "Alright boys, we got 45 minutes! Get in!" Could make for great TV. Just remember who thought of that and don't drink beer in the hot tub. You could die.

Brew Masters: The First Take

2010-11-23T00:54:00.005+09:00

America's new Beer Hero.

I must admit that I have been looking forward to watching "Brewmasters", The Discovery Channel's new show about Sam and Dogfish Head's quest to make great and interesting beer, after I heard about it a few months ago. Word was traveling around the beer community that cameras were following around Sam wherever he went and something was afoot.

I didn't get to watch it live, since I was unlucky enough to be on the plane on the way back from Jamaica last night. (More on that trip and how amazingly awful Red Stripe in Jamaica is later on...) But I did get to watch it first thing this morning on DVR. I just finished it and thought that I would write some thoughts right away.

First off, for those that don't know, the first episode was about Dogfish Head's "Bitches Brew" a beer that Sony asked them to create to coincide with the re-release of Miles Davis's classic album of the same name. You can read more about the beer and it's unique ingredients here. It is a really interesting brew and one that I had the chance to buy last week, but passed on for some other fine things. I and sure it's gone now.

First off a few thoughts:

1. Wow. This is going to change the beer scene in America. People who have never heard of this beer or had the guts to buy it before are going to give it a chance just on Sam's charisma alone. He comes across not like a beer tycoon, but like an average guy like you and me who is doing what he loves. All those that are working for him seem to love what they do and enjoy being a part of something special. This of course won't only benefit Dogfish Head, but all craft beer--as now it becomes more mainstream and "cool".

2. The biggest thing that Sam said about craft beer (for me) was that it is so much more connected to human hands than other drinks, i.e. wine. If you order a beer at a bar, you can't send it back and say it's in bad form and chalk it up to a bad barley or hop crop that year (like wine). If a beer is bad, it is the creator, not the ingredients. For me, that is HUGE.

3. Did anyone else notice the two Blue Moon commercials that ran during the show? How much did Coors pay for that and how many people will they fool (and continue to fool) into thinking that it is craft beer?

4. That brewery is amazing. Period.

I can't wait to talk to my local retailers and see how their sales go up after the airing of this show. The good people at Dogfish did an awesome job of keeping up with their Twitter feed as beer lovers everyone were tweeting about the show and what it will do for their product. Of course, I was a big fan of their beers already, but this just puts it over the top.

The revolution is coming people. (Even though it will take a while to reach the South) Every day more and more people are coming to the realization that life is too short to drink crappy beer. Educated people drink good beer. Good people drink good beer. Massed produced beer for the masses is not for me. However you want to say it, we are on the doorstep of an amazing time for beer and beer drinkers. More and more stores and bars are realizing that they can't carry the same old status quo of "Yellow Fizzy Beer", to steal a line from Greg Koch from Stone.

I am curious to hear from you about your thoughts on the show. Friends in Japan, are you about to view it online?

I say we all meet up at my apartment to watch next week's episode with a few craft brews. Any takers?

"In some of my songs I've Casually Mentioned...

2010-11-22T04:42:00.004+09:00

...the fact that I like to drink beer."

Continuing with the beer songs, this next one isn't actually one I frequently sing (maybe I should), but I've liked Tom T Hall since my dad played him for me as a kid. He's a good Kentuckian and put into song something we've all thought.

Bonus Tom T Hall! Watch out for ole sneaky snake, he'll sneak up behind you and drink your (root) beer.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone. If you're nice Nate might come by and give you a more technical account of the Avery 15.

Pilgrim Beer

2010-11-20T01:22:00.002+09:00

Some Thanksgiving trivia for you on this last Friday before the holiday. Why did the Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock? Beer of course.

"We could not take much time for further search, our victuals being much spent, especially beer," wrote William Bradford in his firsthand account History of Plimouth Plantation.

If you are bored at work, there's a good read on the history of beer in America here.

Sierra Nevada Celebration!

2010-11-19T00:03:00.003+09:00

Sierra Nevada Celebration 2010 has been released. You can get a bomber at Liquor Barn for $2.69, which is not too bad for a 6.8% IPA. This years version is very balanced with a malty base and some piney citrus flavors doing their thing on top. The hops stick around in the finish a bit longer than the malt, and are a little reminiscent of Pine-Sol (is that how it is spelled?), but that will age out. My brother says the finish reminds him of a baked potato with butter and pepper. Either way, I'm going to get some bottles to stick in the closet.

On another note, the previous mentioned brother and I brewed a 10 gallon cabinet cleaning batch of Cream Stout yesterday. And I do mean cabinet cleaning. There are 10 different malts in this beer, and most of them in half pound increments.

So What's On Your Ipod?

2010-11-18T10:45:00.002+09:00

If you like to sit around and drink beer (and I'm pretty sure you do), then there is a good chance you like a good beer drinking song. A good beer drinking song can be simple and easy to sing when your group's had a few. It can be an epic ballad about how much you love your choice drink or it can be a sad melody about a dry tap. We've got a number of favorites at the Good Beer Country Boys Corral, so I thought I would post a few over the next several days. If there is one you like, let us know and I'll put it on here as well (within reason).

Let's kick it off with one of our original favorites:

The Boss Isn't Looking

2010-11-17T12:07:00.003+09:00

Well, DH is away doing the above, so we've got the run of the place. Go wild. And expect even lower quality posts and more videos! Hooray Beer (and the youtubes!)

How Alcohol Works

2010-11-14T10:29:00.003+09:00

Hello there again. I thought today would be a good day to put on my scientist coat and share with you an explanation of how alcohol affects the body and brain in terms the layman can understand. I think we've all been there, sipping back a few craft beers, then a few more, then wham! So read this to find out what's really going on. Honestly, though, once I got to the part about alcohol helping you live longer I just skimmed the rest.

http://lifehacker.com/5684996/what-alcohol-actually-does-to-your-brain-and-body

Happy New Beer!

2010-11-12T03:54:00.005+09:00

Ya gotta give it to Sam Adams for pushing the envelope on what it can do with beer. Hot off the presses is Infinium. A collaboration with Weihenstephan Brewery of Germany, Infinium may be giving Miller High Life a run for its money as the champagne of beers.

To Infinium and Beyond

Beer's Best Friend?

2010-11-10T01:03:00.006+09:00

I'm not entirely sure what beer's best friend is other than more beer, but these people obviously think it is a cookie. Looks like one of DH's Mom's specials with a pretzel on top to me.

Beer's Best Friend Cookie

Back With Some Avery

2010-11-08T12:17:00.003+09:00

Hey there friends. I apologize for the absence, but I am back. I decided that in spite of no finalized contract with DH I couldn't hold out from the blog. I have to suck it up and be a team player. On a related note, I will gladly shill out a portion of my space on the blog to promote your product or service for a low six figures.

But back to beer. I recently tried an Avery 15th Anniversary Ale. Typically if I don't know how I feel about a drink from the beginning that's not a good sign. This was different. I still can't say that I love, but it was unique and very interesting. Now sometimes that's a code for saying a beer tastes like horse piss, and the only unique quality is whether it favors the thoroughbred flavor or Andalusian. In this case it was unique in a good way. They really put together something with a lot of flavors, but manage not to beat you over the head with it. It's smooth, and is a drink you'll pay attention to rather than passively down.

The beer was actually brewed a couple of years ago, and was meant to be aged to let the flavors develop. My local beer proprietor wisely stashed some away and just pulled them back out. Honestly, I wish I drank this one with people just to see how others reacted. It's not something to drink every day, but it's definitely an interesting mix of flavor with a lot of taste that finishes nicely. Everything you would want a special anniversary ale to be. The guys at Avery did a good job putting this one together. Anybody else tried it?

Beer TV

2010-11-05T05:13:00.002+09:00

Just when you thought that Sam from Dogfish Head couldn't have any more success, he got his own TV show. God bless you, Discovery Channel.

Yet Another...

2010-11-05T04:09:00.001+09:00

Homebrewing in Kentucky

2010-10-27T02:28:00.004+09:00

Things are good in the Bluegrass. I've enjoyed a god summer with the wife, friends and a new job. It's been a change and I sure miss Japan, but things are going well. I attribute that partly to the weekly tradition that Nate and I have instituted recently each Thursday at his place.

The new Country Boy Brewing Set-up

Since we both are free all morning and have to work at night, we meet up early each Thursday morning to brew up a batch of homebrew on his new system. I must admit, it's awesome. Every time we brew we look back on and think how difficult it was to make up a batch of beer in his apartment in Japan. Wow, we were really doing things bare bones there. For many of you reading from Japan, you are going through the same thing.

One thing I love about Kentucky is SPACE. We haul this monster setup out of Nate's garage into his backyard every Thursday morning with ease. We have tons of room. That was always a problem in Japan. We couldn't have brewed outside in Japan without attracting a group of watchers (not the good kind), never mind the fact that it is still illegal. What a travesty.

Nate doin' his thing.

It's easy to get malt here, plus tons of different kinds of hops. Nate and some other friends already made up a Pumpkin Ale, and Nate and I have several beers in the works at the moment that will be ready to drink as soon as the weather gets colder--which my friend, those days are coming.

The Mash!

Nate is a member of B.O.C.K. (Brewers of Central Kentucky) and I am soon to join. I hope that we can meet more people passionate about craft beer here in Kentucky, and those that are doing their part to make their own.

And of course when you brew you must have a few!

Jubilation Ale and Such

2010-10-25T11:19:00.002+09:00

Well, friends. Sorry for the delay in getting this post up. Unfortunately that same delay has made this post a little bittersweet, but I’ll get to that in a minute. I’m guessing majority of the tens of followers of this blog are actually in Japan or interested in Japanese craft beer, so it should be interesting to talk about the good beers we’re drinking on different sides of the world. Thanks to a golden age of logistics we are living in good times for access to good beer. More on that in another post, but while Kentucky is behind much of the country I’ve been able to get a hold of some of the Japanese beer I’ve been hearing about from Nate and DH over the last few years.

First up, the Hitachino Nest XH. That had to be a bad bottle. It couldn’t be as bad as it was. It was like boiled toe nail clippings. I’m certain that in spite of this golden age of logistics somewhere between here and there it was mishandled. I’ll have to give it another try some other time. Too many people have said it’s not that bad.

The more exciting thing is that Baird has some product making its way to the Louisville Beer Store. First, they got in the Mikan Carpenter's Ale, an excellent fruit beer that does not have the common fruit beer problem of tasting like cough syrup. It’s definitely a favorite of mine and apparently a large number of other beer drinkers here in Louisville.

More recently, though, they got in the Jubilation Ale. This was the beer DH and Michi used to toast at their wedding, so wanting to have it ready for another joyous occasion I put it in the fridge hoping to have a celebratory drink of some kind. Coincidently, that weekend the great Kentucky Wildcats were playing the despised SC Steve Spurriers, and having never beaten Spurrier in 17 prior tries a win would be a nice time to crack open that Jubilation Ale and celebrate. Coming off three straight losses and already down 28-10 at the half it was looking more like I was going to celebrate folding the laundry, letting the dog out or something else entirely other than Kentucky actually winning. Well, by now it’s come across the East Asian news wire that with the wife and I nervously waiting for something bad to happen the Cats did indeed come back to win. I was able to crack open that bottle of Jubilation Ale. Her in a “delicate” condition, I was drinking for two so happily killed the whole bottle myself. All that is the long way to say that I was so excited I have no idea if the Jubilation was the greatest thing ever or just good. It certainly tasted excellent that night. Now Bryan Baird, how about sending over some of that Red Rose and Angry Boy?

The bittersweet part comes in the form of yesterday’s game. It’s my post, and I don’t have to talk about it.

Craft Beer Dictionary To-Go

2010-10-25T03:07:00.002+09:00

iPhone users: Do you like craft beer? There's an app for that.

Craft Beer App by Affect Global, Inc.

I haven't dropped the $.99 for it yet, but if the comments are any indication, it should be worth the investment.

How to Drink Beer Better

2010-10-22T03:18:00.004+09:00

How to Drink Beer Better - MSNBC.com

Well...the name pretty much says it all. I know that the article has great advice from some superstars in the beer world, but for those beginning good beer drinkers still stuck on the caps that don't twist off, tip #1 is to not break the bottle when you pop the cap off with a chainsaw. Tip #2 is to not wear sandals when operating chainsaws.

a new day, a brew day.

2010-10-21T03:50:00.004+09:00

It has been awhile and I have been busy. As DH has mentioned before, I am a full fledged, rubber boot wearin' brewer. While I won't say what brewery I work for, I will say that it may or may not be the only beer making establishment in Lexington. Besides making beer professionally, which keeps me busy 40 or so hours a week, I occasionally find time to fire up the as-yet-unnamed home brewery. If you follow DH's tweety tweets, you have already seen pictures of it in action. Last Thursday we turned out 10 gallons of Saaz Wars, a 1 hop, 1 malt ale. Tomorrow we are making 5 gallons of jalapeno smoked porter.

Before I post this and head to work, I want to say welcome to Ethan, Fenner, and Bobbit! Together we shall spread the gospel of beer and the joy it brings.

Also, DH, I know the picture is backwards and that bothers the hell out of you, but I can't find the button to click to flip it.

20 Things Worth Knowing About Beer

2010-10-20T22:28:00.003+09:00

I imagine I won't be the guy on this blog lecturing about great hop aroma or whether or not 10% ABV is considered candy-ass in this day and age. No, I'll probably be the guy who finds all kind of random beer-related stuff on the internet and shares it with the world. Considering my favorite beer is defined as "cold" on a day that could be described as "hot", you are gonna see a lot of web junk out of me. Like this:

20 Things Worth Knowing About Beer

Country? I got your country.

2010-10-19T10:47:00.002+09:00

Don't listen to a damn word these boys say.

They wouldn't know country if it came along and bit 'em on the ass.

Two years ago, I decided to move to the Mississippi Delta. It doesn't get much more country than this.

On my drive to work, I'm lucky enough to pass a Wal-Mart, but nearly everything else is fields, flat and far as I can see.

During planting season, I was late for work for entire week because I was stuck behind large pieces of slow-moving agricultural equipment.

Where I live, "crop-dusting" actually refers to low-flying planes spreading various chemicals over crops, and not just DH walk around the apartment "spreading chemicals" over the whole place.

While I have been known to drink some Yankees under a table or two since I've been down here, one thing I've found: beer sure as hell doesn't change. Whether it's a Kentucky boy or a Mississippi boy, the song remains the same, and beer is beer. I've never seen anything bring a room together like cold, cold beer. And whether we're pounding PBR at ridiculous rates, or taking it slow on a Dogfish 90 Minute IPA, there are only a few things I would trade for a summer day by the creek with a whole lot of beer and even more bullshit, in Mississippi or Kentucky.

I think it's only right that I leave with a beer drinking song. Glad to be here.

Meet the Boys.

2010-10-19T02:38:00.004+09:00

One can never have too many friends. It's with this in mind that I introduce you to three of our great friends who are going to add to the great conversation on this site. I am positive that you will love their take on great beer and the fun times that we have had with it in the past. Without further ado, and in no particular order, meet the boys:

1.) Bobbitt.

Bobbitt standing victorious over Hurricane Katrina.

Yes, you read that right. His name is Bobbitt. Yes, he still it attached. No, it's not the same one. Bobbitt is probably the smartest guy I know. Well, he is most of the time. Except for that one time when he drank a pint glass full of mixed salsa and bourbon, he is really smart. I've known him since I used to whip his nerdy-nerd Academic Team in junior high school. In fact, my nerdy-nerd team never lost to his. Don't believe anything he says. Bobbitt knows tons about brewing beer and even more about drinking it. I'm excited to read his additions.

2. Fenner, aka. Fen-Fen

Fen-Fen always ready to pitch in, or enjoy a brew on top of the world.

Fenner is an adopted Kentuckian. He's a Native Kentuckian now, even if he wasn't born here. I know, I know. I don't care if you think native has a different meaning, I am from here and I can declare anyone a Native Kentuckian. Said and Done.
Fen-Fen and I have had some great times. He is type A and I tend to be Type-Don't worry about anything, but we still have a blast together. Every team needs the Voice of Reason, and he will be that voice here. (And at the UK tailgates when we try to steal a Porta-John.)

3. Ethan

Ethan, caught in the act!!!

Ethan and I grew up together. He is probably more of a true Country Boy than I am. But, as he said earlier, he lives in Louisville now and that is some SERIOUS demerits. (Even though Louisville has the best beers in the state.) I can't think of anyone who can appreciate a good beer more than Ethan, and I know that you will like his insights and opinions when it comes to Great Beer and Good times. Maybe that will be a spin off site.

As we continue on, you will be able to form your own opinions about all of us--some good and some not so desirable. Above all I encourage you to join the discussion and get involved.

And oh yeah, if you see us out on the town, buy us a beer. I'm sure we will repay the favor.

Greetings!

2010-10-18T10:32:00.004+09:00

Hello friends. Allow myself to introduce, myself. As the author heading indicates, my name is Ethan, and I am one small part of the extended Good Beer Country Boys family that DH is attempting to add to the blog. There are some lofty standards in place, but I will half-ass this the best I can. I am currently blogging from Louisville, KY. You might say, “Wait a minute. How can you be a part of Good Beer Country Boys while living in the city?” Excellent question, but no worries. Like DH I am actually from The County , so it’s legit. Kind of like a dual citizenship sort of thing. And you’re right, Good Bear City Boys just doesn’t have the same panache.

I’ll be writing about a random assortment of things. As mentioned in the previous post by DH, I won’t be doling out specific tasting notes beyond the basics of what I like and what I don’t. There are far better people out there than me already doing that. I will still share the good brews and pubs that I come across, but what I love about beer is the social aspect of it. From a group of friends sitting around telling the same story for the thousandth time to somebody using beer as a launching pad to make the world a better place (looking at you Beers for Books!). Then there is the relaxing aspect of coming home and settling down by yourself with a tasty beverage to top off the day. Whatever the circumstances, drop by the comments section and say hi to us new guys. It might not be long before DH and Nate get fed up and kick us all out.

Finally, the new look is here!!!

2010-10-16T00:04:00.002+09:00

As you no doubt have seen, I finally have changed the look of the site. Of course, I half-assed it and used a common Blogger template that most likely half of the other blogs out there are using, but hey--it's a start. I have changed a few things around as well, most importantly being the mission for the blog.

I still love Japan and the brews that are coming from there, and it will always be in my heart (and home since the wife is from there...). I will do my best to keep up with the beer scene there, and for those of you new readers to the site who have found it due to the many articles that Nate and I wrote on Japanese beer during our stays there--welcome! Feel free to comment or ask any questions that you may have about Japanese beer. There are still many homebrewers, REAL brewers, and Japanese beer fans and experts that read and post here.

We will not be just a blog where I post pictures of beers and tell you how they taste like bananas and fairy feet. There are a million other blogs out there like that already that no one reads. What we will strive to be is a place where all beer fans can come to be educated and entertained, and where ultimately we can further the World Wide Craft Beer scene.

Of course since I am in Kentucky, I will focus on the beer scene here. Compared to many parts of the US and many places in Japan, Kentucky is a craft beer wasteland. Hopefully we can be a small force that helps elevate the craft beer community here in Kentucky to what it should and most certainly can be.

Also I have added a few writers to the site who will add tons to what we are doing. Of course they all are craft beer lovers, and I think they can add something to the conversation as well.

I hope you all will read, comment and most importantly enjoy what we are going to do here. Now, it's time to get to work, and then get ready for tailgating tomorrow.

Oct. 14th Baird Beer Update

2010-10-15T23:37:00.002+09:00

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Fall is in full swing and the Baird Brewery is busy crafting flavorful brews at what is for us an unprecedented pace. Many of these beers are small-batch (brewed on our 250-liter system), draught-only experiments that we release only at our Taproom pubs. Stop in at one of our three Taproom locations to get a taste of what I am talking about.

New Taproom-only Baird Beer Seasonal Releases:

White Rose Brown Ale (ABV 4.5%): In the Wars of the Roses, the white rose represented the House of York in the north while the red rose symbolized the House of Lanchester in the south. White Rose Brown Ale is a Northern English style Brown Ale, moderate in gravity and alcohol but rich in texture and malt flavor. We are serving it in Real Ale fashion via our English hand-pumps.
New Zealand Hallertau Aroma Single Hop Ale (ABV 4.7%): This brisk andbright Golden Ale is hopped exclusively with the New Zealand variety Hallertau Aroma. If you desire to explore the bitter, aroma and flavor character of this lovely New Zealand variety, this is your brew!
Baird Pacific Porter (ABV 7.5%): This is our version of the Baltic Porter style: a strong, dark beer fermented with a lager yeast that has enjoyed historical popularity in Baltic region countries. Baird Pacific Porter enjoys a layered complexity of flavor (dark chocolate, pit fruit, licorice, brown sugar, etc.) and a very stealthy alcohol wallop. Imbibe with caution!

All of these terrific new experimental brews can be enjoyed at one of our three Taproom pubs in the coming days and weeks.

Upcoming Taproom Events:

We have a couple of interesting upcoming events at our Nakameguro Taproom. Please mark your calendar and plan on attending.

*2nd Annual Nakameguro Taproom Booktoberfest (Thursday, October 21). This is a charity event held in cooperation with the Beers for Books organization (www.beersforbooks.org) to raise money for the Room to Read charity which purchases and distributes books to poverty-stricken children in developing countries. This is a terrific opportunity to contribute to a great cause while enjoying a great time.

*”Falling for Brew!” seminar and tasting which focuses on fall-season beers and autumn food accompaniments. The Japanese language seminar and tasting will take place on Saturday, November 13 (3:00 pm start). The English language version will be the following day, Sunday, November 14 (3:00 pm start). Tickets cost 3,200 yen and seating is limited. Please contact the Nakameguro Taproom directly about attending (nakameguro-tap@bairdbeer.com; 03-5768-3025).

A Taproom in Yokohama — Is the scuttlebut true?

Yes it is. We are thrilled to announce that we have found a wonderful location in Kannai, right off Bashamichi, very near the Kannai, Sakuragicho and Bashamichi train stations. The Bashamichi Taproom will be a genuine American-style barbecue restaurant and, of course, craft beer oasis. The manager and pitmaster will be the most experienced and skilled barbecue man in all of Japan, Mr. Chuck Morrow. The opening date is planned for Saturday, January 15.

We still are on the lookout for excellent and passionate individuals to round out our Bashamichi Taproom staff. If you are a serious candidate, drop us a line directly at: jobs@bairdbeer.com.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Give Your Beer the Proper Pour

2010-10-15T15:06:00.001+09:00

Every beer drinker that drinks out of something besides a can and a koozy knows that your standard, all-american beer glass (that I have piles of at home) isn't the best way to enjoy your favorite brew. But just what are you supposed to drink out of then? Just find your favorite cicerone, of course, and he'll fill you in.

Lifehacker.com: How to Give Your Beer the Right Glass and a Proper Pour

Fall is here and the Blog will change soon...I hope.

2010-10-06T22:26:00.002+09:00

I've amassed a few of the best mediocre beer bloggers I know. We're going to start blogging. It'll be fun.

The restaurant is super busy and of course taking up all of my time. That stinks.

Great to hear that Baird Beer is growing and expanding with a new taproom in Yokohama. It's amazing to think that it all started in Numazu (still the greatest place on the planet) and now has grown to several places in Japan and exporting around the world. Follow your dreams!

The beer scene in KY is pretty stale. The Lexington Brewing Company still just makes the three beers, and what comes out of BBC in Louisville is OK, but nothing to blog about. My new favorite breweries hands down are Founders and Schlafly--brewers that aren't scared to push the agenda!

Baird Beer News & Taproom Events Email Bulletin September 2, 2010

2010-09-02T22:50:00.001+09:00

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Beer, as you know, is our passion. We enjoy drinking it everyday and in some quantity. Our aim is pleasure from flavor enjoyment, though, not inebriation. To this end, we are great fans of flavorful beers that sport a moderate to low alcohol content. Today we are releasing two first time seasonal brews that pack powerful flavor without undo alcohol strength.

New Seasonal Beer Releases:

Eastern Wind Session Ale (ABV 4.8%): Session Ales are moderate to low alcohol content beers that enjoy full flavor and are meant for imbibing the duration of the social session. Eastern Wind is brewed with a variety of wheat malts, rye malt and floor-malted barley. It delivers moderate hop bitterness but tons of hop flavor and aroma from generous late hopping with equal portions of three aromatic varieties (Tettnanger, Santiam, Saaz). It then is fermented with a Belgian yeast strain which lends a wonderfully tart and fruity character. Eastern Wind Session Ale is available on draught and in bottles (633 ml) through the fine family of Baird Beer retailers in Japan. Consumers can purchase direct from the brewery through our online E-Shop.
NZ Cascade Single Hop Ale (ABV 5.0%): We love to experiment with different hop varieties. In this single-hopped version of an English-style Pale Ale, we employ the New Zealand varietal version of a classic American hop — Cascade. While the aromatics tend to be somewhat restrained, the bitterness is firm and clean and the hop flavor has great depth in its piquant fruitiness. NZ Cascade Single Hop Ale is available only on draught and exclusively at our own Taproom pubs.

If you are planning a session drinking outing to one of our Taprooms soon, you also will find one additional beer gem: Hop Burst Brown Porter. We are serving the lowish gravity English-style Brown Porter as Real Ale on hand pump. Generally, Brown Porters tend to be low in hop character but this is not so with Hop Burst, which enjoys terrific hop flavor and aroma with restrained bitterness. “Hop bursting” is our practice of making only late flavor and aroma hop additions and forgoing early bittering additions. Come in for a pint and see for yourself what that tastes like.

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

I'm still Country.

2010-08-07T23:48:00.004+09:00

It's been a long few weeks. As anyone who has ever been in the restaurant biz knows, time is not a plenty. The main thing is that I am having a good time, although every now and again I find myself dreaming about Japan...

I've been trying to decide on which way I am going to take this blog. I bought kybeer.com, and was planning on starting something like that here in Kentucky--but I can't get away from Good Beer and Country Boys. So, I've made my decision.

This blog will live on. I am going to try and bring back Nate, as well as bring in a few other personalities to give you some fun stuff to read, and as always to try and promote the craft beer world, both in Japan and KY.

We are going to write about where to get good beer here in KY, all of the Japan news that I hear, and of course to post crazy pictures of my friends and I drinking good beer all across the globe. I hope that you keep reading and commenting, and thanks to all of you who have done so through the years!

The blog will take on a new look, but never fear. No ads or crap like that.

I'm looking forward to next weekend as none other than Bryan Baird of Baird Beer is coming to visit me in KY! I'll post some pictures of us getting wild and enjoying catching up on the craft beer scene.

And just in case you were wondering about life in KY, here's a pic. Oh yeah, I'm still country.

If you guessed that this pic was from my rehearsal dinner in KY, you are right. Seriously.

2010-07-31T14:29:00.003+09:00

Well I have said I will post again soon...which I will. Nate is a REAL brewer now. I am a restaurant manager. The brewery dream is alive. But I miss Japan. Drinking Dogfish Head IBA now. Wishing I was drinking Suruga Bay.

Ahhh....Nihon...

2010-07-09T14:44:00.002+09:00

I'm missing Japan. Reading about Baird Beer's upcoming events...it's enough to drive a guy crazy!!!! If you are in Japan and you like beer, you have to get over to the Taproom to celebrate with them this summer.

Baird Beer is blowing up in the US. People are asking about it, searching for it, and wanting to drink it. AWESOME. Japanese beer is on the map. The real beer map.

I know I have been slipping on the blog, but I am working on getting it rolling again. I promise. I also promise to be back in Japan before too long. That's right Chris, get the toilet ready.

Japan Wins!

2010-06-25T12:30:00.002+09:00

It was a good day. Lots of work, and Japan wins an awesome game. I'm drinking Baird Beer to celebrate.

The beer scene in Japan is taking off. I see it now in all of the new sights, magazines, apps, and people that are flocking to the good stuff. I am proud. Japan will be the mecca for beer soon.

Being married and working 80 hours a week make it tough to blog, but I am working on it. We will get this site up and running again soon. Never fear.

Miss all of you in Japan and around the globe!

CHEERS!

2010-06-10T01:43:00.003+09:00

Well guys, it has been a while. I came back from Japan on April 16th, and after our second wedding, Michi's family coming for a visit, and both of us starting work--I am back to blogging.

I find myself managing a restaurant in my hometown called Circa 1840, a fine dining spot located in a old home from...you guessed it, circa 1840. It's fun and great experience, but just like all jobs in the restaurant/ bar biz--long nights.

Nate is working for our local brewery now, as an associate brewer making KY Ale, the very beer I am drinking in our blog pic. Really cool stuff. It's crazy how life works out. We want to own a brewpub one day, and I think we are on our way to getting it going!

Kentucky is nice and the weather is good, but I would be lying if I said I didn't miss Japan. More to come !

Getting married...AGAIN.....

2010-05-27T21:39:00.002+09:00

So after this Sunday's wedding I will be back to posting as usual. I have been scrambling to get all of the arrangements made for the wedding...and I hope it goes well. Michi's family arrives tomorrow: mom, dad, brother, his wife, and their FOUR kids. All staying at my place. Going to be fun!!!!!

I'm missing Japan, but enjoying life here. We will see what the future holds. Part of me can see me staying here for a long while, and another part of me can see me trying my hand at a good beer pub in Japan. One thing is for sure, I WILL have a house on the bay in Numazu to retire to. Chris, if you are reading, that means YOUR house. Upstairs toilet and all.

Just to let you all know, I'm still drinking good beer.

NATE!!

2010-05-23T15:08:00.002+09:00

You all remember NATE, the other Good Beer Country Boy. Well, you will be happy to know that he has just been hired on as the next assistant brewer at The Lexington Brewing Co., makers of Kentucky Ale and Bourbon Barrel!!!!!!!!!!!! Great news for a good friend!

Leave him some love, he still gets on here!!!!

Business is good in Gtown, but I miss Japan!

2010-05-13T13:39:00.002+09:00

Drinking some Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale tonight. Awesome stuff. Really cool too considering that this is the same recipe as Stone's 11th anniversary ale, which I also happen to have cooling in the fridge to taste at the right moment. It's been a hard day at the restaurant, and I need something to help me unwind....this is the beer....

Tomorrow I have to paint the bathroom, buy a TV, and continue to set up this place. The couch we bought arrived today, and I couldn't help but think of all of the Suruga Bay's that I could have bought with what it cost. Oh well, if I can drink them while I sit on it that will be ok......

Miss all of you in Japan! Dreaming of some good sushi and yakitori at the moment...

Bell's Hopslam and Founder's Centennial IPA

2010-05-12T13:02:00.001+09:00

Got off work a bit early tonight, so had to come home and try a few that I picked up today at the store. WOW. They are good. Now I just need a Suruga Bay to wash them down.

I'm working too hard!

2010-05-10T12:48:00.004+09:00

Well friends, it has been some time. I miss Japan, all of you, and of course--some good jibeers on the street. Kentucky is fun and I am working all of the time, and I have had little time to drink good beers.

After my wedding here in KY at the end of this month, I will be doing some changes to this site and writing more often planning a wedding takes it out of you!

I am drinking a Rogue Dirtoir Black Lager now, and it is TASTY!

Check back this week for the top five things I miss about Japan, and the top five things that I don't miss. Angry Boy is on one list, being packed in hot subway cars is another. I will let you decide which list each is on!

Cheers!

10 Years of Baird Brewing; Nakameguro Taproom 2-Year Anniversary Celebration

2010-05-10T12:47:00.001+09:00

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

The older one gets, the faster time seems to fly by. Well, a full decade has logged itself into the history annals since the incorporation of Baird Brewing Company (March, 2000). Sayuri and I opened the doors of the Numazu Fishmarket Taproom for business in July 2000, serving Hoegaarden White and Guinness on tap and selling an array of American and Belgian craft beers. The brewing license for Baird Beer was granted finally in December, 2000, paving the way for the debut of Fisherman’s Wheat Ale, Kurofune Porter and Teikoku IPA in January, 2001.

We plan to celebrate ten years in business this year with the release of a series of commemorative Baird Beers. The first in this series is being released in conjunction with this weekends’ 2-year anniversary celebration of the opening of our Nakameguro Taproom. We call this special brew NT-2 Extra Imperial IPA.

NT-2 Extra Imperial IPA (ABV 8%):

Hoppy IPAs have always shared a warm spot in my brewing heart. This extra strong IPA finds its signature character in the hop flavor and aroma of two European varieties that I possess a strong sentimental attachment to: East Kent Golding and Styrian Golding. It was around these two hop varieties that I designed our original flagship IPA: Teikoku IPA. These varieties were unavailable to us for several years but they are back and look for their reappearance in upcoming batches of Teikoku IPA.

NT-2 Extra IPA carries 101 hop bittering units contributed largely by the trio of clean, high-alpha American varieties Warrior, Magnum and Galena. Flavor- and aroma-hopping are exclusively with a combination of East Kent Golding and Styrian Golding. We then triple dry-hop the beer, again with East Kent Golding and Styrian Golding, one week each in three different conditioning tanks. Finally, we krausened at packaging to produce a secondary fermentation, maturation and natural carbonation in keg.

NT-2 Extra IPA is available only on draught and only at the Nakameguro Taproom (although a couple brewer’s share kegs might be available at the Fishmarket Taproom also). Its release on Saturday, May 8 kicks off the 2-day Nakameguro Taproom 2-year anniversary celebration. Please join Sayuri and me there for a pint or two.

Hops, however glorious, are not the only arrow in our brewing quiver. We love to incorporate fresh, natural, local ingredients that can accentuate a beer’s base character and make it even more interesting and compelling. Thanks to our good friends at the pub Lavian Lee down in Shizuoka, we accessed some very good, locally grown ginger (shoga) that we immediately dedicated to the brewhouse. The result is a special Shoga Ale that also will debut on Saturday at the Nakameguro Taproom celebration and will be available only there and at Lavian Lee.

Shoga Ale (ABV 4.8%):

The idea behind this unique beer is simple: flavor and refreshment. Mild in gravity and alcohol strength, Shoga Ale is built on a very simple grist bill: 2 types of base malt and Japanese dark sugar (kokuto). The hopping is restrained at 20 bittering units, but clean and brisk. Center stage is given over to our friend Shoga, whose piquant, peppery, playful performance proves winning! This is an ale not to be missed but in very short supply.

Nakameguro Taproom 2-Year Anniversary Celebration:

For two days (Saturday-Sunday, May 8-9) we will be celebrating the 2-year birthday of our Nakameguro Taproom. During the celebration, all Baird Beer will be served at special (read cheap) Numazu prices. Discounts on our guest American beers also will be applicable. Additionally, the NT kitchen has come up with a wonderful beer-inspired buffet that is available for 1,500 yen per person (all-you-can-eat).

It is thanks to your patronage that the Nakameguro Taproom continues to increasingly flourish. Please plan to stop in and receive a personal thanks from Sayuri and me and the entire Nakameguro Taproom staff.

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Coming soon!

2010-05-04T10:00:00.001+09:00

Ok, so the internet at the new place will be here May 5th. That means I can start blogging again!!!! Now I have to take my computer to the local bar just to catch a signal. Not exactly the easiest way to put up a post.

Hope all is well in Japan. Both me and the lady have started working here...already missing Japan too...

I'll be in touch soon!

I made it home!

2010-04-21T06:01:00.001+09:00

Thanks to everyone for all of your well wishes and support! The Good Beer Country Boys will still be blogging!!!! (At least I will!)

I have been super busy since I have been home, but I did manage to drink a Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary's Fritz and Ken Stout with a friend. It is good.

I'm missing Japan already, but the wife comes to KY tomorrow--so that will be nice!

Expect some posts to come this weekend....beer in KY, and the state of jibeers in Japan!

Cheers!

Goodbye for now!

2010-04-15T20:51:00.002+09:00

I'm heading home in the morning friends. But don't worry--the blog will live on! I've had the time of my life here in Japan, and will be back soon. Until then, please follow and comment as I try to get readjusted to live back in the Bluegrass State. I wish you all the best! To all of you who I have met and who have taught me so much over the years, I can never say 'thank you' enough. If ANY of you readers are ever in Kentucky, hit me up on here and let's meet up. I'll be managing a restaurant and bar when I go home, and I'd love to pour you a pint. The blog will change a bit of course, since my days will not be filled with trips to Nagoya looking for jibeer, but none the less I hope you read and join in on my journey!

The Final Weekend in Numazu...(for now)

2010-04-14T21:07:00.005+09:00

DH and Chuwy with two of the 'Zu's Finest.

I can't tell you how much fun last weekend was in Numazu. Of course, all of the regulars were there, and it was awesome. Of course, the beer was great. Of course, the food was stellar. Now, the weather was good, which was quite rare considering this past winter. But by looking at those things separately you might not think we had that great of a time...but after a few surprises, it was one for the books.

You see, I am leaving this great country this Friday. I know I will be back one day soon, but I don't know what day or when that will be. So this was a send off for me of sorts. Chuwy came down, and it was our last bash together. Michi and I had just gotten married, so this was kind of a celebration.

Now, the biggest kicker of all was the fact that while we were there, Bryan Baird called from the World Beer Cup in Chicago to tell his wife that Baird won THREE gold medals. Wow. No other breweries won more golds, and only one tied with Baird, Ballast Point, who also happened to win small brewer of the year. That's pretty good company for Baird to keep.

Chuwy with some brew that Chris brought us!!!

After word spread about the news, we passed around sheets with the other winners and scoured through them looking for other winners and just how big of an accomplishment that this was for Baird. I don't think it hit us at the time, and maybe it still hasn't hit the boys in Numazu yet, but this is a HUGE deal. Japanese Craft Beer is on the map. The bar has been raised, and the gauntlet has been thrown down. People from California to Prague saw these results and are wondering just where in the hell Numazu is and what is going on there.

Many times on this blog I have told you that I feel like Baird is leading all of the Japanese Craft Brewers (by far) and they are the future of Japanese Craft Beer. It's true, and now the world knows it. Of course, there is more great beer out there in Japan. And this should just go to show that Japan is not the good beer void that I thought it once was.

Michi and the leftover hops from the Suruga Bay that Chris brewed up Sunday morning!

But the fight has just begun. Other Japanese Craft Brewers-- the bar has been raised. Japan has a world class beer (more specifically at least THREE beers that were judged the best styles in the WORLD) and making so-so beer will not cut it anymore. Sticking to the three "German" types of beer at your brewery will get you nowhere. It takes skill, a daring spirit, and as Bryan Baird himself likes to say over and over again--PASSION.

The Gold Winning Saison Sayuri 2010 and a blurry Chris. (We were the first to try it in Numazu---shhhhhh!!!!!!!)

I know the boys at Baird who brew the beer-Bryan, Chris and Shinya-- and they are NOT going to slow down. This will light a fire under their asses so hot that I bet they will still be feeling a year from now. This awesome success will push them for 10 golds next year and beyond.

Japanese beer drinker--get ready. You've only seen the beginning of what Baird Beer will be. And for Pete's sake son, if you haven't been to one of the Taprooms or ordered some Baird Beer yet....DO IT.

The best guy I know in Numazu, Chris Poel-Baird Beer's lead brewer.

(Also some notes about Baird's golds. Numazu Lager, which one best American Style Amber--is one of their year round beers. It's just a one time specialty ale--it's a year round constant. That says something about Baird's quality and devotion to their year-round line-up. Saison Sayuri, which won gold for best Belgian and French Style Ale, was voted the best out of a group of 57 other beers. 57. That beer didn't win a new style or a category with only a few entries. 57. WOW.)

Baird Beer wins Three Gold Medals!!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-12T16:20:00.003+09:00

I have been singing their praises for a long time now, and it seems that the good folks at Baird Beer are going to get a lot more famous--really soon.

I promise I am going to do a proper write up about this weekend, but I had to post this quickly:

Here is the link to the official press release from The World Beer Cup. Notice anything?

Two breweries tied for taking home the most gold awards:
- Baird Brewing Co. from Numazu, Japan

Numazu Lager – American-Style Amber
Country Girl Kabocha Ale – Specialty Beer
Saison Sayuri – Belgian- and French-Style Ale

Ballast Point Brewing Co. from San Diego, CA
- Bourbon Barrel Aged Piper Down Scottish Ale – Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer
- Fathom IPL – Out of Category – Traditionally Brewed Beer
- Sculpin IPA – International Pale Ale

HOW ABOUT THAT???? Baird Beer tied Ballast Point for the most Gold Medals. No one won more Golds than Baird, and the only brewery to match them is one of the hottest in the US. Not too bad. Not too bad at all.

Cheers to the Baird crew in Numazu, and those working hard in Naka-meguro and Harajuku. The world knows Baird now!

And for those of you who are readers but haven't tried Baird yet--get yourself to one of the taprooms and drink some of their Gold Medal winning, world's best beers!!!!!!

NUMAZU IS ON THE MAP!

BAIRD BEER = 3 GOLDS

2010-04-12T08:55:00.002+09:00

More to come soon, but for now just know that Baird Beer won THREE gold medals at the 2010 World Beer Cup in Chicago: Saison Sayuri beat out 57 other beers to win the best Belgian/Fresh Style Ale, and Numazu Lager and Kabocha Ale brought home the Gold as well. Coedo Brewery also brought home a silver. It's a great day for Baird Beer and Japanese Craft Beer!!!!!

KOMPAI!

MARRIED!!!!

2010-03-31T21:19:00.005+09:00

Sorry I have been gone from the wired world for a while folks. I was busy getting hitched! (And showing my parents around Japan....) We just got back from a tour around Fuji....got to get some more of Bayern Meister Beers and some BAIRD. Of course Chris showed us a great time!!!!!!

Be back soon with some more beer reviews, and a shakedown of the wedding. Wild times. Until then, enjoy these shots of your boy looking last The Last Fat Redneck Samurai.

And this goes to show you boys. THERE IS HOPE FOR YOU ALL.

Shiga Kogen Beer

2010-03-24T07:59:00.006+09:00

The lovely couple in front of Tamamura Honten, makers of Shiga Kogen Beer.

What, these display bottles aren't full???

I made it to Nagano and back. I had a great time, hanging out with the soon to be wife, our two older friends from Tahara, and three Italian high school students. Yes I know, that last one is random and I assure you, it is true.

Shiga Kogen IPA and Miyama Blond. The Blond was good, but not my style of brew, but the IPA was spot on.

When I found out that we were headed to Nakano City, I was super exited becuase we were within driving distance from where Shiga Kogen Beer is made, Tamamura Honten. (Of course this is not TAmura Honten, which I spelled mistakenly in several earlier posts. You would think that if you ask someone if they have heard of Tamura Honten, that they would be able to discern that you really meant TaMAmura Honten. That was not the case. I would hope if someone asked me in English to give them directions to the "Town Ha" I could use some deductive reasoning and point them the right way. OK. Rant over.)

We did find the spot and it was in a beautiful little town with a river flowing out of the mountains that cuts it right in two. I would have loved to have spent all day just walking around the town sightseeing, but we had places to go and onsens to soak in. Priorities.

We didn't get a behind the scenes tour, but we did get to talk to a girl working there for quite a while and taste some of the Miyama Blond (7%) on tap from the shop. I bought a case of several different kinds, and of course my friend from Tahara had to buy a $100 bottle of sake. Only the best. I was able to pick up a bottle of their Saison 1: Yama Bushi. It's not my favorite style, but it was the only one left and the impulse shopper in DH took over and I was unable to control myself. I will be taking it back to the states.

By fay the best beer was their IPA. Really really good. Lovely aroma and taste and bitterness stood up well too. I could have drank it all day, and actually wished I had skipped on buying the porter and pale ale and bought more IPA. The collab. brew with Nogne, Not So Mild Ale was good, but I wouldn't say it was better than the IPA.

The "Canadian Fridge"

We had a great time, and even the snow was still on in full force. In fact, the last night we were there we got about six inches more! Of course, we made use of the "Canadian Fridge" as we say in KY and kept the beers outside in the snow. Of course, I didn't account for so much snow and accumulation so quickly, because when I went in search of some of the bottles (and cans of Super Dry for the others) they were buried. It took some digging, but I am 98% sure that we found all of the bottles. I wouldn't be surprised that if when the snow melts another bottle appears!

The "Canadian Fridge" after about six inches of snow...had to dig to find the bottles!

All in all, the beer was good, it comes from a beautiful place, and you should drink it. I don't like the fact that they don't have a brewpub, because I would have loved to have saddled up to the bar and had the IPA from the tap. I know you can find this beer in Tokyo, and if you do, buy the IPA. Also, it was only 360 yen a bottle, and for what it is, you can't beat that price!!!!

DH & SHIGA KOGEN BEER TO FINALLY MEET?

2010-03-18T08:04:00.004+09:00

Is there a chance I could be drinking some of Shiga Kogen and Nogne O's collaboration Not So Mild ALE this weekend?

So I admit I have been pretty bummed about this upcoming weekend. The fiance wanted to take a trip with some old friends of ours to their summer house in Nagano. This of course would be fine, if A. it was summer, and B. it wasn't the same weekend as the Baird Lucky 7 Stout Week. However, being the kind guy that I am, I conceded and said that we could go to Nagano this weekend, as long as we get to spend several days in Numazu before heading back to Kentucky.

I asked this morning if we knew where we were headed in Nagano, since last night before I went to bed a tiny thought popped into my head. I said to myself, "Self, I wonder if there could be any breweries near the location of said summer house?" (Yes, I talk to myself in that way...)

Michi told me that we were heading someplace near Nakano City, which to my amazement....is not to far from Tamura-Honten, makers of SHIGA KOGEN BEER.

Now, I'm not sure how far we will be, but the chances are good that we will be staying for two days within an hour's drive or train ride from this great brew. I'm officially excited now.*

Many of you living in Tokyo and the surrounding area will know Shiga Kogen for its fairly widespread presence in many of the town's good craft beer bars. Chuwy also tells me there is a place where you can go drink it in the bottle for really cheap. But for those of you living south of Tokyo (Aichi on down), chances are that you've never seen this beer in your local beer shop or craft beer bar, and possibly never heard of it at all. I've lived in Aichi for nearly three years, and I have never seen it available at any store.

You may recall that Nate and I were supposed to visit this brewery last fall, but a untimely snowstorm and piss poor prior planning lead to that excursion's demise. Ahhh....vindication. (hopefully)

I won't write much more about this beer until I've drank it from the source, but suffice it to say that some have called the Shiga Kogen IPA one of the 1001 beers to drink before you die. Barring any tragedies between now and Saturday, I can cross that one off the list.

For those of you who have visited the brewery or tried the beer, care to share your thoughts?

Also, do you know of any other craft beer spots in the area?

*Note: This does not mean that I am happy in the least bit about missing Lucky 7 Stout Week. Still bitter.

KIRIN 1000: This is not good beer

2010-03-17T08:34:00.002+09:00

So I try to write about where you can find good beer here in Japan, and sometimes they are hard to come by. That is not the case for the mass marketed crap like Kirin 1000, which you most certainly can find in almost any convenience store in Japan.

For the casual beer drinker: be warned. Stay away. This is the stuff that headaches and early evening puking sessions are make of. Your body was made to process beer, not artificially flavored beer-water with grain alcohol added. Trust me. I know.

MIdweek Update!

2010-03-17T08:24:00.003+09:00

I know not everyone has an apartment that used to be an old bar from the turn of the century...but hey, I told you I was Country.

As many of you know, I don't have that much longer in Japan. Only one more month here to be exact. While I am going back to Kentucky to get involved in the restaurant (and one day craft beer) business, I am not leaving Japan in my dust. I will be back many times, since I'm marrying someone who has to come back for yakiniku and Baird's stouts at least once a year.....

This last month is going to be busy. I'm getting married, the parents are coming to visit, and I have to find time to visit a few more breweries, and of course say goodbye to many good friends. Oh yeah, and the wife and I are going to Okinawa for a few days from April 3rd until the 8th. (That means I will be there while the Final Four is going on...anyone know where I can watch the game? I'm also going to hit up the Helios Brewpub, are there any other hot spots???)

For sure I'll be back in KY soon, but until then--there's a ton of good beer still to drink here. Besides, drinking The High Life Light with the boys from home can wait a few more weeks, right?

New Seasonal Releases; Lucky 7 Stout Week Kick-Off; Numazu Hanami Party

2010-03-16T20:09:00.002+09:00

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

We kick off our Lucky 7 Stout Week at the Numazu Fishmarket Taproom on Wednesday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day). We wind up the week on the Japan national holiday of Monday, March 22. For event details, please refer to last week’s bulletin. Please join us for the Irish-inspired beer, food and revelry.

We also are marking St. Patrick’s Day with the general release of two seasonal ales: Midnight Oil Export Stout and Imperial Belgian Red Ale.

*Midnight Oil Export Stout 2010 (ABV 6.5%):

Export stouts generally are rich and roasty in flavor, moderately high in alcoholic strength, and sporting some noticeable hop character (normally registering in terms of bitterness and flavor). Baird Midnight Oil Export Stout 2010 enjoys a complexly layered roasted malt character that is balanced beautiful by a kiss of caramel sweetness from additions of two varieties of crystal malt. A firm, straightforward hop flavor rounds this Stout into perfect harmony.

Midnight Oil Export Stout will be available at Baird Beer retailing pubs, restaurants and liquor shops in Japan beginning Wednesday, March 17. Bottles (633 ml) also will be sold direct from the brewery via our online E-Shop (http://bairdbeer.com/en/shop/).

*Imperial Belgian Red Ale (ABV 7.5%):

Belgian ales, to the extent that they can be characterized, tend to be yeast-driven and idiosyncratic. We ferment this unique, high-gravity, lovely red-hued ale with a Belgian yeast strain that lends a softly fruity and subdued phenolic character to it. Moderate attenuation leaves a luscious upfront malt sweetness on the palate that lingers pleasantly through the warm alcohol finish. This is a great ale to mark the transition from winter to spring.

Imperial Belgian Red Ale goes on sale Wednesday, March 17 and is available both on draught and in bottle (633 ml).

Finally, the Hanami season is fast approaching and we are planning a festive Hanami party in Numazu sponsored by our Fishmarket Taproom. The party will be held from noon until 4:00 pm on Sunday, March 28 at the Minato-guchi Koen which is just a few hundred meters down the street from the Taproom. Participants can enjoy a tabe-hodai picnic and nomi-hodai Baird Beer (several styles) for 3,000 yen per person. Kids can attend for free. The cost for non-beer drinkers is 1,500 yen. More details will follow in next week’s bulletin. If you would like to reserve a spot in advance, please email the Fishmarket Taproom (fishmarket-tap@bairdbeer.com).

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

March Madness

2010-03-15T10:44:00.002+09:00

I know this is a beer blog, but hey--I'm from KY and our love runs deep. The University of Kentucky just won the SEC Tournament Championship, and the NCAA Tournament is just around the bend. This blog and beer will take a seldom used back seat to UK basketball this week, so I might only get a few posts up.

If you don't know about John Wall. Educate yourself. Some call him the best player of all time. Some are calling him the next #1 draft pick. Some call him The Great Wall or Wall to Wall John. In Kentucky, they call him by his real name:

Blue Jesus.

GO CATS.

Bayern Meister Bier

2010-03-12T13:40:00.005+09:00

Photo thanks to Bayern Meister Bier

Now this place was a real treat. I remember it was over a year ago when I first heard that there was a German brewing up some great beer in the mountains near Fuji. It was only just last week that I made it there for the first time. Let me tell you, if you haven't had this beer, you are missing out.

DISCLAIMER: This beer is not super hoppy, mixed with any types of black currants or dry hopped with tobacco leaves. This beer probably wouldn't even make the BeerAdvocate's or Ratebeer's top 1,000 because it's not 65% alcohol. BUT IT IS REALLY GOOD.

From left to right: Weizen, Weizenbock, and Pilsner

Stephan Rager is a real German Brewmaster who has a brewery called Bayern Meister Bier. No really, he is a licensed German Brewmaster. Many brewers and drinkers in Japan and around the world throw the word 'brewmaster' around a bit too liberally at times. With one taste of Stephan's beer you will know that he has earned this title. His beer is great. He only makes three styles: a pilsner, a wiezen and a weizenbock. Especially after trying the travesty which is Fujiyama beer, Bayern Meister's beer is top notch.

We made our way to the brewery with Chuwy's navigation and my buddy Jordan's tiny car. Bayern Meister is in the mountains, and when we arrived it was foggy and rainy. We happened to show up on Stephan's birthday, and truth be told, his brewery was closed. However, he kindly welcomed us in to his place and poured us some beers. Each one was excellent. It's hard to say which one was the best, since each one was a perfect example of it's style.

Will you look at those pours? And the color??? Perfect.

But since I must choose a favorite, I will. Weizenbock happens to be one of my favorite styles of beer, and while I prefer to drink it on a lazy summer afternoon, this one was out of this world. This is saying a lot, but his Weizenbock was the best I have tasted. BAR NONE. Great stuff. So smooth. So much malty goodness. Wow. I have one left in my fridge and I better stop writing about it or I may be forced to run home and pop it open now.

Stephan's place is small and it is quaint. It looks and feels like you may well be in the German mountains. It is a bit of a drive, but it is most certainly worth the trip. We were treated to such a great night with amazing service, and we were even lucky enough to hang out with three Germans who came to celebrate Stephan's birthday! Talk about a great night!

Thanks to Stephan for showing us such an amazing time, and for making an awesome beer. He truly is a master of his craft.

Fuji Breweries Scuttlebutt

2010-03-11T07:51:00.002+09:00

I'm going to post more about the beer trip soon, but wanted to share with you some of the beer news I was able to hear while traveling last weekend.

Gotemba Kogen Beer: Word on the street is that Gotemba is branching out soon. The brewers there are putting their heads together and each crafting some really cool styles in the near future. Look for an IPA, some darker brews, and even some cask and possibly some real ales. This is good news from a brewery that makes good beer (and steak!).

Baird: I don't have to inform you that Baird is always coming out with new beers and new styles. They make more styles of beer in a year than all of the other breweries in Japan combined.* While we were sneaking around the brewery last weekend, I heard that a Super Double Secret Probation Quadruple Dry Hopped Upside Down Suruga Bay(IIIIPA) was in the works, as well as some other really cool brews. I might have heard that the Harajuku Ale would be going through a change as well.

Fujiyama Beer: Fujiyama has some really excited news as they are going to continue making beer that tastes like carpet cleaner!

It's an exciting time to be a beer lover in Japan!

*I totally just made that up.

Lucky 7 Stout Week @ Fishmarket Taproom (March 17 - 22)

2010-03-11T07:47:00.001+09:00

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

March 17 is the Irish holiday St. Patrick’s Day. We take this occasion every year as an excuse to celebrate a beer style long associated with Ireland: Stout. Stout, of course, is a wonderful pitch-black ale that enjoys many stylistic manifestations. We serve up seven different interpretations of Stout during our week-long celebration which we call Lucky 7 Stout Week.

Lucky 7 Stout Week @ Numazu Fishmarket Taproom (Wed. March 17 – Mon. March 22):

This year’s Stout selection is as follows:

Shimaguni Stout
Mama’s Milk Stout (served on hand-pump)
Midnight Oil Export Stout 2010
Great American Stout
Citrus Wheat Stout
Morning Coffee Stout 2008
Morning Coffee Stout 2010

In addition to these Stout selections, we also will be honoring the Irish with the 2010 Real Ale debut of Luck of the Irish Red Ale. Special Lucky 7 Stout Cards, which include punches for all seven seasonal Stouts will be available for purchase and use during the week (Pint cards @ 5,000 yen; Half-pint cards @3,500 yen). Enthusiasts who purchase and complete a card during the week will be entered into an end-of-the-week raffle in which seven Baird Beer prizes will be awarded. The lucky 7 prizes to be awarded are:

Fishmarket Taproom Nonbei Pint Drink Card
Fishmarket Taproom Nonbei Half-pint Card
Shimaguni Stout (360 ml) 6-Pack
Midnight Oil Export Stout (633 ml) 4-Pack
Shimaguni Stout T-Shirt
Set of two Baird Beer logo glasses (pint & half-pint)
Set of two posters (Shimaguni Stout & Baird Beer logo)

Great Irish- and Stout-inspired cuisine, of course, will be served up by the Fishmarket Taproom kitchen during the week. A special Lucky 7 Stout Week food menu will include the following:

Irish Beef Stew
Roast Beef
Potato Gratin
Traditional Fish & Chips
Fisherman’s Seafood Pasta
English Cheese Plate
Stout Cake & Chocolate Platter

Warm Irish-style camaraderie and revelry will also be in abundance all week long. Please note that the final day, Monday, March 22, is a Japan national holiday and thus the Fishmarket Taproom will be opening its doors at noon. For all you Tokyo denizens who have not made the Numazu pilgrimage recently, this represents a great chance! We look forward to seeing and drinking/eating with all of you.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Fujiyama Beer

2010-03-09T19:20:00.004+09:00

This past weekend I made my way to Shizuoka with a friend from the mountains near me. Our plan was to rendevous with the infamous Chuwy and spend a few nights at The Taproom, and hopefully take in some great views of Fuji while visiting some the breweries that surround the mountain.

Of course, if the weather doesn't want to cooperate, you end up with views of Fuji that look like this:

For those of you who don't know, there are several breweries that almost make a perfect circle around Fuji. If you were to start at Gotemba Kogen Brewery, you could make your way to Fujiyama Beer, Fujizakura (Sylvans), Bayern Meister, and then end up at Baird's The Fishmarket Taproom in Numazu.

We made it to The Taproom on Friday night in time for some good beers and chats with some old friends. Early in the morning on Saturday, we headed to Gotemba Kogen and the wonderful onsen there.

After relaxing there, we went to Fujiyama Beer.

Fujiyama Beer is housed in a gigantic building. HUGE. It's a massive beer hall type building near the Radar Dome Museum of Fuji. Chuwy warned us that the beer might not be in tip-top form, but we had to stop and try it anyway.

Inside, we were greeted by an enormous room, pristine brewing equiptment, and several people working. There were only about 10 people in the entire place, and Chuwy said that is about par for the course. We sat down and ordered one of each style of brew: Pilsner, Weizen, and Weizenbock.

We were served the brews by a young waitress who quickly disappeared. It might have been a good thing, because I would have been embarrassed for her to have seen our reactions. This beer was about to change our day.

The Weizenbock was really really off. In fact, all of the beers had something wrong with them. I am convinced that their brewing equipment might have something wrong with it, and maybe they could get Fletch to take a look and see if it's a bad Fetzer Valve. The Weizenbock was the worst one, and had a distinct public pool taste to it.

We laughed as we drank the brews. We also ate some delicious fried potatos. Those were good, and redeemed the place just a tiny bit.

A nasty weizenbock and a delicious fried tater.

All in all, this place is worth the visit just to check and see if the beers have improved. Don't order too many there, as good beer at the breweries before it (and after!) await!

What a weekend again!!!

2010-03-08T08:26:00.002+09:00

I'll post some pictures and a full review soon, but this past weekend was great. Went to The Fishmarket Taproom both Friday and Saturday night, Gotemba Kogen Brewery to see brewer Scott Brimmer, Fujiyama Beer to drink some "interesting" beers, Fujizakura Brewery at Sylvan's to find it closed, and Bayern Meister with brewer Stefan for his birthday party with a bunch of Germans. Talk about a fun filled weekend.

And someone took a Number 2 in Chris Poel's upstairs potty that I'm pretty sure was illegal to dump without a permit. His name starts with a 'C' and ends with a 'huwy'.

In all seriousness, a big thanks to all of the great people in the 'Zoo: Chris Poel, Bryan Baird, Robert Yellin (Rob the Potter), Cajun Chris the Chef, Shinya, and many others. Thanks to Scott Brimmer of Gotemba Kogen, and Stefan of Bayern Meister. And of course, thanks to Chuwy, and my good buddy Jordan who drove Chuwy and I to all of the breweries around Fuji.

It can never be said enough how welcoming the craft beer makers and craft beer drinkers can be. I will take the memories of my jibeer in Japan buddies with me everywhere I go!

2010 The Carpenter's Mikan Ale

2010-03-04T08:56:00.004+09:00

This year The Carpenter came through with some good mikans, and the boys at Baird succeeded in turning them into some good beer. This one doesn't have as heavy of a mikan taste as I remember in the past, but it is still really good.

If you can imagine a warm spring day (I know it's hard after the winter we have been though) , this is the perfect beer to sit and sip on the front porch as you watch the world pass you by. And of course, you won't mind a bit.

This is also the beer that you reach for when wedding planning with dual MacBooks. Whatever works for you.

If you find yourself in Numazu (as I will this weekend) it's not uncommon to look up and see The Carpenter: the man responsible for the mikans, the rustic wooden decor of all three taprooms, and the coolest guy in the room. No, "The Carpenter's Mikan Ale" isn't just a clever name. The Carpenter is real. And if you are lucky enough (and are a certified Grade A badass- like yours truly) you can get a picture of him as he sips his beer and gazes over the harbor into the Numazu night.

Is Spring coming?

2010-03-03T08:01:00.004+09:00

I'm headed to the Fuji area this weekend with a good buddy of mine, and hopefully will meet good buddy buddy Chuwy up that way. We've got a weekend full of fun, sun, Fuji, and good Japanese craft beer planned. Too bad that Mother Nature has a weekend of rain and fog planned. We will see who wins!

We plan on hitting the Fishmarket Taproom Friday and Saturday nights, with a trip Saturday during the day to Gotemba Kogen, and possibly Bayern Meister and/or Fujizakura. All will depend on the weather and how long I decide to lay in the onsen.

This week's weather has been a bit spring like. It's sunny and a bit warmer today, which makes me long for Hanami and all the fun that spring in Japan has to offer!

Recently in Nagoya, I was able to stumble upon some good craft beers from Yo-Ho. Now, while Yona Yona can be found at many stores and even some conbinis, these three are much more rare. The ESB and National Trust were good, but the Wild Harvest was very so so.... Anyone out there who has had them, what did you think? I'll go as far as to say the National Trust is the best canned beer in Japan!

Of course the Kinshachi Imperial Stout was good. Just broke the bank!

New Seasonal Baird Beer Releases: Morning Coffee, Wabi-Sabi, Obatarian

2010-03-02T12:29:00.001+09:00

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

The Baird Beer brewers have been busy bees over the past several months crafting a diverse range of unique seasonal brews. Wednesday, March 3 will mark the official debut of the following three seasonal beers:

Morning Coffee Stout 2010 (ABV 7%): Each year we combine our passion for stout beer with our love of coffee in the brewing of Morning Coffee Stout. This 2010 version is an export-style stout infused with freshly ground fair-trade espresso beans from Arabika Coffee. This year we added the coarsely ground espresso beans directly to the stout in the conditioning tank in what amounted to a cold beer toddy extraction method. The result is a perfect flavor marriage between stout beer and java beans.
Wabi-Sabi Ale (ABV 5.5%): Shizuoka is the green tea capital of Japan. Drinking fine Shizuoka tea is to experience the Japanese wabi-sabi cultural aesthetic in microcosm. We feel the same is true of imbibing Baird Beer. So it struck us: why not skillfully combine the two? This we have done in a richly malty brown ale in which hop character is almost wholly absent (only 15 BUs of hops were added in a single kettle addition). We use the Shizuoka tea (infused into the beer in the conditioning tank) to supplement and make complete the bitter, herbal and aromatic character generally supplied by hops. The result is a wonderfully unique beer best characterized by the following descriptors: refinement, elegance, sobriety, dignity.
Obatarian Strong English Ale (ABV 8%): Strong English Ales generally are noted for richness of malt character, alcohol strength which imparts warmth, and a pleasant estery profile. They normally are released only after sufficient aging and maturation. Thus, they tend to be extremely self-assured beers; ones that care little for the opinions or sensitivities of others. In other words, they are the beer version of that old biddy obatarian you sometimes encounter in the supermarket checkout line here in Japan. We promise, though, that your encounter with Obatarian Strong English Ale will prove more satisfying than your experience with the human version at the supermarket.

Morning Coffee Stout 2010 will be available on draught and in bottles (633 ml) and sold throughout Japan through the fine family of Baird Beer retailing establishments (as well as direct from the brewery via our online E-Shop). Wabi-Sabi Ale is a small batch beer that will be available on hand-pump as real ale exclusively at our Taproom pubs. Obatarian Strong English Ale, another small batch brew, is draught only and also will be poured exclusively from the taps of our own Taproom pubs.

Finally, please mark you calendar for the upcoming Lucky Seven Stout Week which kicks off on St. Patrick’s Day (Wednesday, March 17) at our Numazu Fishmarket Taproom and runs through the national holiday on Monday, March 22. During the week we will be celebrating the quintessential Irish beer style: Stout. We will devote seven taps to different varieties of stout beer, serve a special Stout-inspired food menu and engage in other mischievous fun. More details will be forthcoming in next week’s bulletin.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Nagoya's Super Secret Gaijin Beer Drinking Spot

2010-02-25T09:44:00.003+09:00

There's a place I know in downtown Nagoya (Sakae) called the Super Secret Gaijin Beer Drinking Spot. It happens to be located near the Spirit's liquor shop, which usually stocks a wide variety of jibeers and good imports. It's a great place to have some street beers with friends, and just pass the time amidst the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Of course, the atmosphere is helped by some Kinshachi IPA and Imperial Chocolate Stouts. Not the best in Japan, nor the cheapest...but still good!

No, the beer WASN'T on sale...

It's also a place you can go to drink beer while your fiance takes your credit card shopping to the many stores of Sakae. That's usually my situation.

Japanese Inaka Breakfast

2010-02-25T08:49:00.003+09:00

Believe it or not, the term "Kentucky Breakfast" was around long before Founders brewed up Kentucky Breakfast Stout, now KBS.

True Kentuckians will know a true Kentucky Breakfast is just a couple of shots of bourbon in the morning. That will start your day off right.

Many don't know of the Japanese Inaka Breakfast, though. It's simple really. Some 2010 Baird Beer's Morning Coffee Stout, and some Hachi-no-ko, or stewed up bees and larvae.

Yummy!

* Remember to post some questions for James Watt of Brewdog in the post below!

The Emperor Penguin Will Return!

2010-02-23T09:23:00.004+09:00

It's been just over a year since we did our first interview, and since then we have been lucky to have some of the biggest names in beer stop in to answer some questions.

What better way to celebrate than to go back to the beginning?

The Emperor Penguin himself, James Watt, has agreed to another interview with us. It's perfect timing with Brewdog all over the news these days with their high ABV beers.

He wants to answer your questions.... Post away with your probing questions in the comments, and I'll send them on to James.

Please, no questions involing killing puppies or kittens or the price of tea in China.
Eh, nevermind. Chuwy, ask away.

The Biggest thing to hit the Japanese Craft Beer Scene

2010-02-22T08:42:00.003+09:00

Image from BeerinJapan.com

If you are a craft beer fan in Japan, you HAVE to download the new apple iPhone and iPod Touch app, Tokyo's Best Craft Beer Bars by Beer in Japan. You can read about the app on BEER IN JAPAN here.

This is going to be a bold statement, but I feel confident in making it. This new application is the biggest thing to come to foreign beer drinkers in Japan. I didn't qualify that. This application has the potential to help many people (tourists, people living in Japan, businessmen) have greater access to Japanese craft beer bars.

Don't take my word for it. Take Charlie Papazian's, perhaps one of top five most famous beer guys on the planet. Mr. Papazian is no stranger to the Japanese beer market (he even did an interview with us!) and he is not shy about heaping praise on Beer in Japan's app.

This app does not require that you have an internet or a 3G connection. It allows you to access information, reviews, and maps WITHOUT staying connected. That's a lifesaver in Tokyo and other parts of Japan where wireless is neither abundant nor free in many parts of Japan.

OK, here comes the catch, right? How much will you have to shell out for this app???? WRONG. The app is FREE and the only purpose of its creation was to help people like you and me find great places to try good Japanese craft beer.

I have long said that people in the craft beer world, not only in Japan, are the best people on the planet. More often than not, fans of craft beer are all to happy and willing to share their knowledge and passion about beer with others, free of charge.

I am friends with the creator of this app, and I know first hand of his knowledge and passion for great beer in Japan. Do yourself a favor and download it. The next time you are in Tokyo and can't remember where that one bar is....you will thank me. And if I know Beer in Japan...there will be more updates soon that will only make this app more useful!

Eight hours 'till Freedom.

2010-02-19T07:58:00.004+09:00

Just to show you that even Country Boys clean up every once in a while....

I've got a busy weekend ahead of me. Well, maybe I should use a different word. 'Busy' gives you the impression that I will be running errands and doing paperwork, which is clearly not the case.

Tonight will be another gathering of the inaka boys at my place here in Toei. Usually these nights involved whichever one of the Big 4 is in stock at the store, yakiniku, and a visit to the local bar. I know, you are already jealous.

Tomorrow I'm heading into Nagoya for the quarterly Asahi Factory Tour and 'shopping' with the fiance. We are going to hit up Keg Nagoya before we come home...so if you are in the Nagoya area--hit me up!

Sunday is the annual spring sake festival at my buddy Shutaro's Iseyashuzo in Toyohashi. Lot's of folks, lot's of food, and lot's of free sake. Should be a good time.

The Olympics are dominating the TV these days, anyone out there watching? Anyone out there agree that curling is the most ridiculous sport ever created in the history of the world? I think that beer can smashing would be much more fun to watch.

Kinshachi White Beer 2010

2010-02-17T10:40:00.003+09:00

Available starting tomorrow (2/18/2010) you can order some of Kinshachi's White Beer. I admit that this 5% Mild was not my favorite of their beers last year, but for those who wish to stay away from the higher alcohol and fuller tasting brews, this one might be for you! You should also be able to find it in Nagoya at all Seijo-Ishii's and Spirit's, and on tap at Beer Circus. Also, I'm sure it will find it's way to Tokyo in the near future!

Baird Beer E-Shop

2010-02-17T09:09:00.004+09:00

I remember when I first discovered that I could buy Japanese craft beer online and have it shipped to my house. Now, I know it sounds like a simple idea, but I must admit, when I first came here--I had no idea that it was possible. Most likely this stems from the fact that it is illegal to ship/mail alcohol in the US. It is also illegal for a brewer to sell beer directly to a consumer. Due to the genius system we have in America (tongue explodes through cheek), breweries in the US must first sell to a distributer who then can sell to a retailer. I know, makes sense.

Here in Japan, however, this is not the case. There are several sites where you can purchase many different kinds of Japanese craft beer and have it shipped directly to your door. Sites like Goodbeer.jp have many great styles to choose from, at competitive prices.

However, for the non-kanji reading lot of you out there, you are fresh out of luck. Most of these sites are 100% in Japanese and require you to create a profile that is also in Japanese. Addresses and such must be written in kanji, and that can be daunting for someone who has been in Japan for years, much less months.

If you are lucky enough to have a close Japanese friend to help, or if your Japanese is better than mine--you can navigate these sites and find yourself some cold beer sitting on your doorstep. If you don't though...and you live outside of Tokyo or one of the major cities of Japan...you may find yourself, through no fault of your own, stuck with Super Dry.

Enter Baird Beer's new E-Shop. After a long wait while the site was very well designed, the E-Shop is up and running. True to Baird Beer's love and passion for making great beer and making it accessible to all people here in Japan, the E-shop is available in English and Japanese.

Even if you don't speak a word of Japanese, the E-Shop allows you to access the finest craft beer that Japanese has to offer. Just to make sure I wasn't blowing smoke, on Sunday I ordered TWO cases of 633ml bottles from Baird. One mixed case of seasonals, and one case of Dark Sky Imperial Stout. Using the E-Shop and paying with PayPal, I had my beers ordered in 3 minutes.

After you create a simple profile (a one time deal), you can make your selection and choose your form of payment. You can pay via PayPal, Bank Transfer, or COD. For those of you that have an existing PayPal account, payment is super easy. To pay via bank transfer is also easy if you have a bank account here in Japan. You can pay from any ATM, and if you visit an ATM at a post office or bank, an attendant can help you the first time around. It is surprisingly easy. If you pay via bank transfer, your beers won't ship until Baird receives your payment. Paying via COD is also possible, but not ideal for me, since I am not always certain when I will be home and when I will be out on the town! But, if you don't have a bank account here, it is an option that makes these great beers accessible to you!

I have been assured by the brewers at Baird that they ship from Hokkaido to Okinawa and all of the small islands and hamlets in between. However, they only ship in Japan. (Maybe one day Kentucky!)

If you read me ranting and raving about Baird Beer but have never tried it, the E-Shop is for you. Beers are very reasonably priced (Think 350 yen for a 633ml of 5% bland Super Dry compared to ~1000 yen for 633ml of 10% hand-craft-brewed-with-care-delicious Barley wine) and they offer a wide selection for all beer fans.

Order some now, you won't be disappointed!!!!

See, now this is just a bit childish...

2010-02-17T08:22:00.006+09:00

It looks like the boys at Brewdog are getting into a bit of a wiener showing contest, to use a Kentuckism. Brewdog unveiled Tactical Nuclear Penguin (32% FREEZE DISTILLED) to much fanfare and hype. They basked in their glory for only a short while though, as a German Brewery announced a 40% brew. Brewdog was crushed, until yesterday, when they announced their 41% (Yes, you read that right) Sink the Bismarck! (Of course, this beer was being made before the German one came out...but the timing just makes it seem like keeping up with the Joneses...errr.....VonWolfhousens.

To some, having the title of "Strongest Beer in the World" is perhaps the most important thing in the world. (Although, I must point out, what these breweries are calling "beer" is somewhat of a stretch. It is freeze distilled (Fractional Freezing), which means this is not technically a beer anymore...)

The video is pretty funny though.... and they are pushing the envelope. Were there haters when Dogfish released (releases!) some of their high ABV crazy beers? You bet. For sure don't want to be a hater, and I want to let the Brewdog boys do their thing. But for now, a 10% IPA is good for me....

*UPDATE: Here is James' take on BeerAdvocate. It's a good read.

Sink the Bismarck! from BrewDog on Vimeo.

Ise Kadoya Imperial India Pale Ale: Revisited

2010-02-16T09:28:00.004+09:00

I owe this amazing beer experience to Beerkat, a good friend in on the beer scene in Tokyo. While some friends were visiting the brewery in Ise a few weeks ago, she managed to pick up a bottle for me to try. What a gal, I tell ya.

Number 165 of 610!!! Limited Edition for sure!

I was super excited to try this beer, since the first edition sold out in a day, and this one ended up selling out in less than a week. Ise Kadoya makes some great beers, and recently their quality has gotten better as they have ventured into the "bigger" beers.

Now that's a tasty brew!

My fiance and I were relaxing at my place up in the mountains when I popped this bad boy open. I was in the process of baking a pizza and grilling up some nankotsu (chicken cartilage), and what better food to pair this hop monster with? It poured a beautiful color and just filled the room with hops. OK, so the room is really small-but you catch my drift.

I couldn't put my finger on the exact taste of this IPA. It's unique, and GOOD. This beer claims to use "10 Different Hops at 120 Different Intervals" and to come in at 9% and I don't argue with that one bit. The aftertaste was a bit earthy (I hate to use words like that, but it's all I could think of) and reminded me of some of the simcoe hopped beers I have had in the past.

I won't bore you with tons of big words and made up tastes, and I will just say that this beer is GOOD. Really Good. By far this is one of my TOP 5 BEERS in Japan.

Michi loves it!

Of course, if you didn't get to try it, you will have to take my word for it--as it is gone.

Narihiro and Masakazu---bring on some more of this kind of brew!!! 5 stars!!!

Oh yeah, and the pizza was Delicious.

Seasonal Release: Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2010

2010-02-15T15:22:00.001+09:00

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Winter is a time of hibernation for many species. The Barley Wine style of beer is not one of these. Winter is the season that this big bear of the beer world comes out to play. Baird Ganko Oyaji (”Stubborn Ol’ Man) Barley Wine 2010 is being released from his cellar cave on Saturday, February 13.

Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2010 (ABV 10%):

Brewed in July 2009 and packaged upon krausening in August, Ganko Oyaji 2010 sports a grist bill consisting of floor-malted Maris Otter, Munich and Crystal malts and 10% Japanese red (akato) sugar. The starting gravity is high (25.3 Plato), the apparent attenuation is good and thus the alcohol content is potent. 65 BUs of all American hops, and dry-hopping with a combination of Columbus, Centennial and Amarillo, beautifully balance the malt richness. Ganko Oyaji is an ideal after-dinner or before bed restorative. It promises to condition nicely in the bottle and keg for months and years to come.

Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2010 will be available on draught at all of our Taproom pubs and other Baird Beer retailing restaurants beginning Saturday, February 13. Bottles (633 ml) can be purchased direct from our brewery E-Shop and through the fine family of Baird Beer retailing liquor shops in Japan beginning the same day.

Vertical tastings for three successive years of Ganko Oyaji (2008 – 2010) are possible at two of our Taprooms: Nakameguro and Numazu Fishmarket. Finally, don’t forget the Big Beer Winter Week celebration now underway at our Nakameguro Taproom. An extraordinary selection of both American and Baird strong ales are being poured and celebrated for an entire week. The special cuisine is terrific too. The event runs through Friday, February 19.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Foggy Friday.

2010-02-12T07:58:00.003+09:00

Why couldn't we have moved the holiday to Friday, and made a long weekend? A holiday on a Thursday is always welcomed, but it just doesn't have the feel of the good 'ole three day weekend.

I had Ise Kadoya's Imperial IPA last night. It was good. It was really good. Am I ready to crown it as one of my top 5 beers in Japan? YOU BET. Pics coming soon.

Some news:

The Real Ale Festival is coming to Tokyo on Feb.14th. The beer list looks amazing! They will have Isekadoya's Imperial IPA. I'm jealous. I'll be snowboarding.

There is a Beers for Books event at Craftheads in Shibuya on March 13th. I've never been there, but they have some good beers. Bring your wallet.

Enjoy your Friday!