Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

Our homage to traditional German brewing is ongoing and it continues today with the release of two historical German styles -- Kolschbier and Altbier. Unlike the more commonly found bottom-fermented German lager beers, Kolschbier and Altbier are top-fermented ales associated, respectively, with the cities of Cologne and Dusseldorf. Extended periods of cold maturation, however, separate these German ales from their English and Belgian counterparts in terms of smoothness and cleanness of flavor.

1) Old World Kolsch (ABV: 5.0%):

In the annals of German beer history, Kolsch actually is a relatively "new world" style at a mere two centuries old. It is a pale, dry, assertively hopped golden ale know as the "beer of Cologne." A fruity-winy bouquet is one of its hallmarks. Baird Old World Kolsch is brewed with German Pilsner and Wheat malts and hopped with American Perle and Vanguard varieties. The appearance is highlighted by a gorgeously full head of long-lasting white foam and a slightly hazy white-gold color. The aroma is zesty and lemon-like. The flavor is dry and quenching with a hint of bitter hop fruit.

2) New World Alt (ABV 5.5%):

"Alt" in German means "old" and when used in connection with beer the implication is that the beer is of a type that pre-dates the pale, bottom-fermented styles most commonly found in Germany today. "Alt" as a beer style in and of itself generally refers to amber-colored top-fermented ales associated with the city of Dusseldorf and its environs. A typical Altbier is light to medium in body and sports lots of hop character. Baird New World Alt is brewed with German Pils and Vienna base malts while deriving its copper color and body from additions of both Caramel and Chocolate Wheat malts. 40 BUs of Horizon, Perle, Vanguard and Sterling hops punctuate the flavor experience from start to finish.

These most definitely are not the typical Alt and Kolsch versions available at other breweries in Japan. We believe the German beer gods are smiling contentedly at the Baird interpretation. What say you? Both beers are draught only and are pouring from the taps of our own Fishmarket Taproom as well as from those of select Baird Beer retailing pubs throughout Japan.

Prost!

Bryan Baird