Hatsujozo 2010 Belgian Black Ale
Baird Brewing Company / Fishmarket Taproom

At Baird Beer we mark the transition to each new year with the release of a special "First-Brewed" commemorative ale in celebration of the fresh possibilities represented by the turning of the calendar. In years past, Hatsujozo always had been a Double IPA by style. This year, though, in consideration of the fact that Suruga Bay Imperial IPA is now a brand in our year-round portfolio, we decided it would be more interesting to change things up by brewing a different style of beer each year for the Hatsujozo series.

Hatsujozo 2010 is what you might consider a Belgian-style Black Ale. Brewed with a large percentage of Japanese dark sugar (kokuto) and Chocolate Wheat Malt, Hatsujozo 2010 is fermented warm with a Belgian saison yeast. At packaging, we chose to krausen with Angry Boy Brown Ale, thus adding a different non-Belgian yeast to the party. Post-package fermentation and maturation has lasted seven months. The result is a funky, complex, potent yet light-bodied black ale. We have never tasted anything quite like it!

Hatsujozo 2010 Belgian Black Ale is a small-batch, draught-only beer available exclusively at our own Taproom pubs.