Japanese Foam Jockey Gives Drinkers Beer Heads That Cause Westerners to Froth at the Mouth

 

Recently we ran a report on how Japanese netizens expressed their outrage over the way a Korean pop star chooses to eat her instant noodles.  Now it seems that the international outrage shoe is on the other foot as Japan has drawn the western stink eye over how they like to enjoy their beer.

At the center of this controversy is an innocent advert for Jokki HourJokki Hour is actually a cleverly designed beer mug that has a lever attatched.  When you push the lever the cup creates a head on the beer.  Not a bad idea in itself, but I think it’s the advertisement that turns westerners off.  Let’s take a look. (a punny mistranslation of “Foam Jockey”).  

To the average viewer who resides outside of Japan this looks like a bunch of people losing their s**t over giving their beer way too much head.  The scene where the little girl claps at her parents giving themselves an extra dose of beer foam pretty much sums up how they see Japanese people and beer: immature drinkers who think “bubbles are fun.”

At least that’s the gist of the comments this promotional video attracted.  “Ohhh Japan…”; “Why?”; and “Can someone get Japanese people a real beer?” were among the comments of bewildered beer lovers.

If we take the issue of appropriate beer head to extremes then it’s easier to see what’s going on. We can all readily agree that no foam at all is no good. It conjures images of stale, flat disappointment.  Since we all know that some head is necessary the real cultural difference is where to draw the line.

Western people are willing to put up with a certain amount of foam to meet their aesthetic needs, but generally have a low tolerance. There are a few reasons for this.  Most importantly, we feel that foam shouldn’t take up too much real-estate in the glass reserved for actual beer.  And while foam is pleasing to the eye, its flavor is almost nonexistent; it gets on your face; and is just an obstruction to the main event.

On the other hand, Japanese drinkers place a very high value on freshness, and they feel that the more head on the beer, the fresher it is.  Japanese people tend to have a more sensitive palette as well and can get more satisfaction from the taste of foam than we usually do.

Basically this all boils down to a case of different strokes for different folks.  And while I too shudder at the image of a pint that’s 40% head, I can appreciate the concept behind Jokki Hour.  I’ve been in more than a few beer tents where the beer was so stale you could waterproof a patio with it.   So don’t guffaw the product based solely on how other cultures use it, give it a try for yourself.

Simply put in some beer.

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Churchkey Can Co. Craft Beer Brewery Brings Back Flat Top Steel Cans

 

Justin Hawkins and Adrian Grenier (who starred in HBO’s Entourage) co-founded Churchkey Can Co., a craft brewing startup company that has brought back beer in flat-top steel cans. The cans require the use of a church key to open them, just like they did 50 years ago. According to the Churchkey Can Co. website, the beer itself is a pilsner recipe crafted by homebrewers Lucas Jones and Sean Burke and is currently being sold in the Pacific Northwest.

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How about a frozen beer foam to go with that pint?

 

Kirin Brewery is creating a new way to enjoy beer by adding a frozen foam on top of each draft to keep the drink icy cold.

So spring just arrived, but is it too soon to start thinking about summer already? The season is pretty great: Nice weather, outdoor concerts, a plethora of festivals, allergies are gone, and a lot of delicious fruits are in season. We also get to enjoy snacks like 7-Eleven Slurpees, ice cream, frozen yogurt … and if you happen to be in Japan, you can also add a Kirin beer with frozen foam head to that list.

Kirin Brewery is adding to its Ichiban Shibori lineup for restaurants around Japan in May with a new frozen draft that is topped with an ice cold foam on every pint. The tap machine freezes the head of a beer at 23 degrees Fahrenheit  (or -5 degrees Celcius) and is added to the top of the beer like soft served ice cream. According to Kirin, this helps to keep your pints cold for up to an extra 30 minutes if you’re a sipper kind of drinker, or you can munch into it like fro-yo. Beer-flavored ice cream? Sign us up!

The foam tap machine is able to fluff up the beer by adding air to the drink then flash chilled and stirred to change its consistency. The process, called Frozen Agitation, is the same way frozen custards are made where air is not necessarily an ingredient but is added to the mixture as it gets frozen to form a new solid state. Compare it to whipping up meringue from egg whites. Kirin is preparing to test the product around Tokyo first before sending it all over the country.

“We want young consumers to enjoy drinking beer in a new way,” said Koichi Matsuzawa, president of Kirin Brewery.

If the Ichiban Shibori Frozen Draft sees a big success, an overseas export could bring this delicious idea to us beer lovers in the states and major cities around Europe. We think Japan just should skip that trial and bring it to America immediately.

Why do we think it’ll work? First of all, it’s alcoholic sorbet. Second, frozen beer mugs are awesome. Thirdly, last year, an Alaskan man survived three days stranded in a snow drift by eating the only thing he had with him at the time: Frozen Coors Light. While the man reportedly poured out the alcoholic content to prevent the beverage from lowering his body temperature, he did primarily eat just the chunky bits to keep himself alive while rescuers locate him. Frozen beer saves lives, people! We need it in America now!

And lastly, this promo video below which demos how the Ichiban Shibori frozen foam is dispensed is scored by a Frank Sinatra version of “New York, New York” so if that’s not a sign, we don’t know what is.

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Scientists solve the mystery of how beer goggles work

 

If you've ever had one too many and tumbled into bed with a vision, only to be greeted in the morning by a sight you'd gnaw off your own arm to escape, take heart. It won't make the memory any less painful, but you can take comfort from the fact that there is now academic underpinning for the effect known commonly as "beer goggles".

In scientific terms, even a little alcohol reduces the ability to assess facial symmetry, which plays a key role in attractiveness and human mate selection.

The effect is particularly pronounced in women, with female drinkers less able to distinguish between attractive and not so attractive men after just a couple of vodkas.

Facial symmetry, where one side of the face mirrors the other, is thought to have evolved as a mark of attractiveness as it signifies good genes. Both sexes select outward signs of genetic quality to ensure better offspring. Ratings of attractiveness in the opposite sex are highest when symmetry is at its greatest, research has shown. It's also known that attractiveness rises when people have had a drink or three: the beer goggles effect.

Male and female volunteers at Roehampton University were subjected to a battery of tests before and after consuming various drinks. The tests included studying images of 20 paired faces that had been manipulated so that one was symmetrical and the other asymmetrical. Results showed alcohol drinkers made significant errors in distinguishing between symmetrical and asymmetrical faces. The study also found that women drinkers made more errors than men. The results are to be published in the scientific journal Addiction.

"The people in our study were not drinking heavily, and the effects we have found seem to increase with the amount of alcohol consumed," said Dr Lewis Halsey, who led the study.

"What we have shown is that people's ability to detect symmetry is part of the explanation for the beer goggle effects.

"The consequences could be considerable. A lot of people say they met their partner when they were drunk. Are their marriages shorter or longer lasting? Does it change the nature of the relationship?"

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Google launches beer

Every day that the Earth keeps turning, Google tries to persuade us that it is increasingly sophisticated.

What better way to express that sophistication than to create a beer?

I fizz with delight to inform you that the Googlies have entered into a partnership with the Dogfish Head brewery that has produced a beer called URKontinent.

For myself, I cannot help staring at that name and wondering whether it represents the opposite thought to URInkontinent--which occurs occasionally after a few too many inferior pints.

However, given the involvement of Dogfish Head, this beer will surely at least be of a superior quality. Its Web site offers that it is brewed in the style of a Belgian Dubbel, which is presumably twice as strong as a Belgian single. Or perhaps it is merely a nod to the idea that Belgians are two peoples stuffed into one little country.

URKontinent is an expression of what Googlies would like to see in a beer. According to the finely flowing video I have embedded, Google and Dogfish Head have very similar philosophies. Yes, they slam that product out there and wait for the data to come barreling in.

The ideas for the beer's ingredients came from all over the world. Yes, even wattleseed from Australia and green rooibos from Africa. All of these ideas came in, naturally, through Google Moderator. Although one apparently was rejected on the grounds that it can induce severe vomiting.

This would be contrasted with the relatively controlled vomiting that can be induced by, say, excess of hops from your average American beer.

Google's Adam Lutz, who coordinated the project, did concede that his main function was "Staying the hell out of the way." However, the company managed to get one of its own ingredients into the beer: honey from the Hive Plex. You didn't know there was a Hive Plex? Of course there's a Hive Plex. 

The beer--a limited edition--won't be available for a while, but the Huffington Post reports that this week's Great American Beer Festival in Denver may be graced by URKontinent.

Legend has it that Urkontinent was the original supercontinent. One can only imagine that this brew will be a highly original superbeer that everyone will want to download--"Beer without the fluff," as one brewer describes it.

And, yes, of course the video shows how the initial tasting for the beer was carried out via a Google+ Hangout. This is advertising, people.

Updated 9:43 a.m. Saturday: Google wants to make it very clear that it isn't making any money out of this foray into inebriation. A spokesman told me: "We encourage our employees to pursue their interests--whether they are training for a marathon, inviting their favorite author to speak, or creating the perfect cafe latte. Similarly, the project with Dogfish Head brewery was a Googler-driven project organized by a group of craft brewery aficionados across the company. While our Googlers had fun advising on the creation of a beer recipe, we aren't receiving any proceeds from the sale of the beer and we have no plans to enter the beer business." Such a pity. 

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The 178th Oktoberfest is officially opened

 Munich beer is back in the sky: the 178th Oktoberfest has started in glorious sunshine

 

With just two shots again tapped Mayor Christian Ude on Saturday at point 12.00 clock the first barrel Oktoberfest beer, and thus opened the largest folk festival in the world. Some six million visitors from around the world are expected at 17 festivals.

"O'zapft is"

After a hearty "O'zapft is" Ude gave the first freshly tapped the Bavarian Prime Minister Horst Seehofer, with him to come to a peaceful Oktoberfest. This year the meeting between the two politicians had been awaited with particular excitement because Ude wants to compete at the upcoming state election in 2013 against Seehofer. Seehofer stressed hard but just before the start of the Bavarian Radio: "The Oktoberfest is traditionally a policy-free zone and we want to keep it."

A political issue, however, is traditionally the price of beer: This year, the measure will cost more than the first nine euros. What people but did not prevent return to flock en masse to the Oktoberfest. And even in the dawn. Even before the official opening some beer tents were closed due to overcrowding, the folder had all the trouble to keep the masses in check. Many guests arrived at 6.00 clock on the fairgrounds to secure a place in one of the beer tents. Most women were in the low-cut dirndl festive, the men came in the reader proper pants. Even visitors from Australia slipped into the Bavarian costume.

Folk music, beer and hearty treats at the "Wiesn Oidn"

And Peter also seems still an Oktoberfest to be a fan: the weather at night was still rather messy, became evident during the day - as is so often the case with Oktoberfest beginning - the sun over Munich.

Especially this year with it's traditional folk music, hearty delicacies and historic rides on the dedicated "Oidn Wiesn", which commemorates the history of the festival. The history of Oktoberfest dates back to 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig in a lavish ceremony Therese of Saxony- Hildburghausen the yes- word was.

The mayor of Munich has tapped the first keg to kick off the 178th German folk festival Oktoberfest. With only two deft blows of his hammer and a cry, the festival opened its doors to the public Saturday. (Sept. 17)

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Drinks maker granted trademark

for German

f-word obscenity

 

A drinks maker has been awarded a trademark for a German 'f-word' obscenity after a two-year legal fight for an alcoholic beverage using the word.

The firm sells a drink made with berries and vodka predominately in 0.02 and 0.03 litre shot measures under the name Ficken.

It has also launched a huge range of allied products such as T-shirts, hats, underwear, and stickers and even condoms bearing the logo and the profanity – all clearly designed to titillate a young customer base.

Applications to trademark the name Ficken – which means "fucking" in German – were first rejected by the German Patent Office, on the grounds that it was immoral.

But this was rejected by the patent court, which ruled that Ficken could be registered when used as a name on clothing and for drinks. This cleared the way for the beverage company EFAG, based in Altheim in Baden-Württemberg, to secure rights to its potty-mouthed brand.

Even the company itself admitted there was no question of the use of Ficken being in good taste, but said the moral arguments against using it were too old fashioned to carry

The court agreed, saying that the fact that the word had sexual connotations and was vulgar language was not enough reason to rule out a trademark on moral grounds.

The court also said that the frequent use of the word in literature and film had reduced its ability to shock to such a degree that, “today it is barely considered offensive or sexually-provocative.”

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No more beer in kiosks? Muscovites react to new alcohol sales law

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a bill restricting beer sales. Starting from 2012, it will only be allowed to drink beer at home or at restaurants. By 2013, beer will no longer be sold at night, and it will only be available in licensed shops - not from street kiosks. RIA Novosti asked Muscovites what they think about the new regulations, which are designed to fight excessive alcohol consumption that annually kills more than 20,000 Russians

 

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Fight against alcoholism in Russia

 

With radical restrictions, the Kremlin wants to combat alcoholism in Russia.

From 2012, all public facilities to an absolute ban Alcohol apply from 2013 in addition to vodka and wine shops may sell well at night, no more beer. Kremlin leader Dmitry Medvedev had signed a law, media reported on Thursday in Moscow.

Kremlin is now also targeting beer

The head of state had the Alcoholism Where every year hundreds of thousands of the dog in Russia, was declared. However, similar experiments were in Soviet times - by about President Gorbachev - failed.

The Ministry of Health in Moscow welcomed the new law. Beer is for the young "gateway drug" for more severe alcohol , Said a spokesman. In contrast to criticize the Russian brewer restrictions as too harsh. Applies to the ban at least five percent alcohol beer - According to the media, 80 percent of berry production constitutes the vast empire. The classic vodka Russia experienced a home for years berry boom with double-digit growth rates.

Fear of use of anti-freeze as a substitute

Doctors warn against exaggerated expectations of the new law. They fear that Alcoholic prohibitions on sales to intoxicated again increased with anti-freeze or other substitutes. According to the Ministry of Health in the greatest country in the world every year on average of 15.2 liters per capita pure alcohol drunk. In Germany there are about th liters.

Medvedev had already zero BAC limit for motoristsAlcoholism(APA) introduced. However, the measures are in force in Russia because of the strong alcohol lobby rather difficult to enforce. The State Duma has recently lifted a ban on alcohol in 2006 to parliament again. After five years of abstinence MPs there may again pick up the glass. 

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The House Made Of 6 Million Beer Bottles

Topping even the Buddhist temple is one man, Tito Ingenieri’s, 19-year-in-the-making, 6 million bottles-of-beer-on-the wall house in Buenos Aires. He collected the motley assortment of bottles from neighbours and the street, and, after one hopes a thorough cleaning, stacked the bottles to create the foundations/walls of his house. Apart from being extremely environmentally-friendly, aesthetically pleasing and an inspirational culmination of hard work, the house is also musical! True to form, the bottle necks whistle when the wind passes through.

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Australia’s annual “Beer Can Regatta”

With contestants from as far as Germany and Mexico, the annual Beer Can Regatta is one event where heavy drinkers have a clear advantage.
This year, more than 12-thousand people descended on Australia's picturesque Mindil Beach - to drink or sink.

 

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