Baseball & Beer in Japan

Asahi is one of the largest brewers of beer in Japan and it owns the concession to sell beer at the Tokyo Dome, a 55,000 seat stadium that is home to the Yomiuri Giants, the most successful baseball team in Japanese history. The Asahi Beer Girls, who sell beer at the Tokyo Dome, are themselves famous. During the games, the girls carry a sizable beer tank on their backs, as one would carry a rucksack, and walk the stadium's steps providing beer to thirsty baseballs fans. Certainly beats the hell out of the usually surly beer servers at American ballparks.

Kosciusko Beer Mustard

This is no novelty mustard; this is an award winning mustard from Plochman's, one of the world's leading producers of premium mustard. Their Kosciusko Beer Mustard reputedly does contain amber lager. It's great on hot dogs and sandwiches. It can be hard to find, however. Several on-line boutique food sellers offer it, but you can buy it directly from the manufacturer if you wish at Plochman's website.

Beer in Iraq

Believe it or not, the American fighting forces in Iraq are not permitted to drink alcohol. Well, not unless they're officially on R&R. So, instead the army has supplied their men and women with near beer. I guess if it's 120 degrees in the shade, any kind of beer will hit the spot.

Beer Holster

The perfect gift for the busy beer drinker, this leather holster affixes to any belt and features a gun-slinger strap that goes around the leg. It is designed to hold 12oz. bottles and cans.

Beer Street

William Hogarth created this print called Beer Street during what is known as the London Gin Craze of 1751. Beer here is celebrated as a healthy diversion for the working class, standing in contrast to gin, which was at the time associated with alcoholism, thievery and prostitution. Henry Fielding wrote an accompanying verse:

Beer, happy Produce of our Isle Can sinewy Strength impart, And wearied with Fatigue and Toil Can cheer each manly Heart. Labour and Art upheld by Thee Successfully advance, We quaff Thy balmy Juice with Glee And Water leave to France. Genius of Health, thy grateful Taste Rivals the Cup of Jove, And warms each English generous Breast With Liberty and Love!

Sapporo Brewery Musuem

Just like the can says, the Sapporo Brewery in Sapporo, Japan opened in 1876. It was the very first brewery to be established in Japan. And not unsurprisingly, its primary influence was, and remains, the Bavarian lager brewing tradition.

The museum offers one hour guided tours for no charge. There is a lovely German inspired Beer Garden at which you'll want to spend a couple or more hours, . . . if you ever find yourself in Sapporo, Japan.

Heinekein Beer Cooler

This is an idea long overdue.

Actually, there is a brew pub in Prague called Pivovarsky Dum that does something a little similar, if only on a much smaller scale. They offer 4 liter beer dispensers from which you pour your own beer. It's a bit of a gag for the tourists, but it's fun to do it just once.

You can read my review of Pivovarsky Dum HERE>>>