Before 1995 Craft Brewing was effectively illegal in Japan as the industrial brewers were protected by a bizarre minimum capacity requirement. Since its repeal 500 breweries have sprung up and it is highly likely that Baird is the best of them. Founded by ex-pat American Bryan Baird and his Japanese wife Sayuri, the company has grown steadily and now has three of its own bars and is exported to the United States through Shelton Brothers.
As well as producing a stable of fine year round beers, the brewery is celebrated for its dazzling array of seasonal beers. Baird’s repertoire is thought to extend to well over 100 different releases, generally coming out at a rate of one per week.
In the 2010 World Beer Cup Baird caused a sensation by winning three gold medals – the most of any brewery.
Angry Boy Brown Ale$7.50
Kurofune Porter$8.00
Rising Sun Pale Ale$8.00
Suruga Bay Imperial IPA$9.60
Teikoku IPA$8.00
West Coast Wheat Wine$16.00