Harajuku Ale
Baird Brewing Company / Fishmarket Taproom

On cask tap at the brewery taproom in Harajuku, Tokyo.
Pours with a clear copper colored body with a minimal head that soon disappears.
Smooth medium body with light carbonation.
Hop forward aroma and flavor with mild bitterness for the style.

 

 

February 20th, 2015 - Lacking the neon pizazz and lacey frills of the rest of Harajuku, this ale is much denser, clouded and hazier, with a thick, mustache forming head on top. Hoppy and slightly dank on the nose, this brew is a oasis for Americans craving a decent dose of hops but stuck with the blander, yellow choices endemic to the convenience store hordes around Tokyo. Sadly, the flavor seems off. Flat, a little nutty, and much more like an English ESB, it feels like this beer doesn't know what to do with its hoppy side. It has some bitterness, but it feels completely out of place.

 

 

 

 

Appearance is dark amber and very cloudy. Cask is special for this beer - lets the mild hops come a bit more forward. Smell is citrus and pine hops - unsure of the sourcing of Baird's hops - not quite American variation but could be an American version just more subtle. Flavor is excellent - detect some grapefruit and other citrus flavors. Malting is sweet maybe some caramel buried. Enjoyable.

Had a pint of this from the hand-pump cask at the Baird Beer Harajuku Taproom in Harajuku, Tokyo. Beautiful appearance... a velvety clear brown with a lovely white head on it, product of the cask. The smell was enticing but a bit flat and could have had a stronger impact. The taste was subdued as well, but still apparent and pleasant. The mouthfeel was buttery and warm and left no stinging aftertaste or excess gas. Overall, this exclusive beer in Harajuku is another of Baird's beers that should be treasured. If you are in Harajuku, make sure you check out the Taproom and try this from the cask!