Event Recap: Baird Tap Takeover

We had a fantastic event with our lovely neighbors, The Trappist, back in November -- the brewmaster of Baird Beer was here visiting from Japan, so they took over the taps! They were so kind to invite us in on the fun to collaborate on the event, and so we brought in Casa de Kei to grill up takoyaki (aka octopus bits in batter, grilled into balls), the perfect accompaniment to a glass of ice cold beer. Photo by @stillesommer via Instagram There were spurts of rain throughout the evening, but that didn't stop us from grilling on the back patio. It was a lot of fun! Yoko and I joined Keisuke behind the grill and helped him make the balls -- we quickly learned that it was a very challenging task. Takoyaki is all about timing -- if you miss a beat, the balls will burn, so you must turn them as fast as you can. Chef's vantage point. Photo by Casa de Kei via Instagram After all was said and done, I think we ended up grilling up 600 balls! It was nuts! Photo by Casa de Kei via Instagram Baird Beer set up shop in Numazu City, Japan in 2000, bringing an array of beer styles to an audience increasingly curious for variety. When you think of beers from Japan, light lagers immediately come to mind, am I right? But Baird has filled a niche as popularity for microbrews is growing both Stateside, and in Japan. "We will not brew vapid beer. We are not afraid to not appeal to everyone," Baird states on their website. Punk rock! But Baird Beer business is booming, as they just opened a huge brewery on the river, with a campsite coming soon! Beers by Baird that were available during the event were: Numazu Lager, Wabi-Sabi Japan Pale Ale, Rising Sun Pale Ale, Kurofune Porter, Red Rose Amber Ale, Single Take Session Ale, Angry Boy Brown Ale, Yabai-Yabai Strong Scotch Ale and West Coast Wheat Wine. They don't have distribution here in the States quite yet, but the owner/ brewmaster Bryan Baird spent the evening walking around and talking to everyone -- hopefully Baird will be available soon! Glass of the Yabai-Yabai special edition Scotch ale. Photo by @EastBayBeer via Instagram Thanks Trappist for inviting us over. We'll see you at February's JAPAN BEER FEST! *All photos by CABS unless otherwise noted