Once upon a time a young man visited a distant land majestic in its natural beauty. The people of this land were long in history, rich in culture and reverential of tradition. It was the prosaic pleasures of life in this land that most captured the young man's fancy:  the simple satisfaction derived from a long soak in a customary hot bath, or the warm feeling of relaxation produced from imbibing a snifter of junmai-ginjo sake, or the camaraderie enjoyed when dining and drinking communally in the intimate atmosphere of a neighborhood izakaya (restaurant-pub). The women were delicately feminine in their beauty and quietly strong in disposition. The men were determined and proud and professional.

The young man chose to stay in this land because of the pleasure it gave him. Ultimately, he devoted himself to the world of craftsmanship and endeavored to brew artisanal beers inspired by and dedicated to this adopted land that he loved. One day his accumulated experiences in this land merged together to form a conception for a beer that told, in its liquid way, the tale of the land. He named it Japan Tale Ale.

*Japan Tale Ale (ABV: 5.9%):

In a hazy golden hue reminiscent of the morning sun rising up above Mount Fuji, Japan Tale Ale presents itself immediately as a Japanese story. The pure white head of billowy foam hints at the fabled origins of this great island country -- the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu. The sophisticatedly understated aroma of tart Japanese plums speaks of the history of the Imperial Court as it might have existed in the ancient city of Kyoto during the Heian era. The light, almost ephemeral delicacy of flavor tips its hat to the storied history of the Japanese artisan (the potters and the swordmakers, the flower arrangers and the Geisha performers). Beneath this delicacy, though, there exists a flavor character of strength and steely determination that tells of the history of the great Japanese warriors -- the Samurai. An overriding sense of balance and unselfish purpose serves to tie the tale together as if somehow echoing the essence of an informally yet unmistakably united national polity.

Japan Tale Ale is brewed with a host of unique and indigenous Japanese
ingredients (unmalted wheat, rice, sudakito sugar and plums). It is lightly
hopped, highly attenuated, pleasantly tart and extremely refreshing. We
plan to tell many more chapters of this tale in the upcoming years. Currently, Japan Tale Ale is being poured from the taps of the Fishmarket Taproom in Numazu, Japan. It will be available for purchase from Baird Beer retailers in Japan beginning Friday, September 14. Consumer orders of bottle-conditioned Japan Tale Ale also can be placed directly at the Baird Brewery.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird