Non-Alcoholic Beer – Suntory All Free
After last week’s Whiskey post I feel I should balance things up a little and introduce this non-alcoholic beer! This brand from Suntory, as well as another one from Kirin has really been life savers at many a recent corporate drinking parties here in Japan. I am not a big drinker and I have no interest in keeping up with the Japanese (who despite persistent rumors to the contrary are generally incredibly strong drinkers) but the social pressure on “having another one” can be very strong, and to save face both for myself and my drinking buddies, as well as saving my health and my ability to walk upright the following two or three days I have secretly made sure the waiter brought me these beers on many occasions. They taste 99% similar to ordinary beer although beer fiends from all over the world ridicule me for drinking these I hold that although they taste slightly different it is no way worse or better than ordinary beer.
The Japanese culture of drinking together goes very deep and they even have a portmanteau word for it “nominication” (飲みにケーション), nomu (to drink) + communication. It is very hard to get to know a Japanese coworker (or male friend for that matter) without going drinking with them, at least once, but ideally regularly. This is nothing new, even 1000 year old novels and stories tell of lords having drinking sessions with their vassals and warriors to test their mettle. If you work in Japan, try to work in Japan, try to form a circle of friends or take part in any sort of group activity it is not long before they break out the drinks and you’ll have to show your strength.
In defense of the Japanese though, they are truly the best drunks in the world! The general level of drinking aggression is much lower in this country, as anyone can attest who has been outside a pub at closing time, anywhere in the world. So Suntory and Kirin, I salute you for your alcohol free beer! You’ve saved my liver a lot of damage over the years!
Yew, awful stuff (not that I’ve tried it). Don’t want to drink? Just have mugi-cha—it’s basically the same ingredients as beer. A few years back, Asahi made a mugi-cha using the same barley and water as they make their beers from, and packaged up the bottle to look like Super Dry. The psychological effects were impressive!
It’s not about not wanting to drink, it’s about giving the appearance of drinking so that I won’t be hassled by drunkard colleagues…! (^-^;) I have never seen the mugi-cha you mention, must keep an eye out! (^-^)
I’ve never tried it, but during the early summer, Midtown had an alcohol free beer garden, and no one went! I wouldn’t mind drinking it too, but I would expect others to ridicule me so i might as well drink tea! have you ever experienced anything like that?
That’s is why you have to ask the waiter to pour it for you! (^-^) Japanese usually never ridicule anyone though, so you should be safe. I wish I had visited the Midtown event you mention! (^-^)
I think that’s a great solution. I’m tired of other bloggers complaining about the culture but not finding a way to make it win-win.
My experience is probably different since academics in Japan appear rather lightweight. Friends have been great at suggesting drinks that work, so over time I found one: plum wine with soda water. Perfect — can have tons of them throughout an evening and never get drunk. Bonus points for tasting good too
But the first time I went to an izakaya with corporate types — no, that plum wine was on the rocks, no shortcuts there! Good thing my liver only gets that once or twice a year at most.
I’ve also found that Japanese drunks are so cute. Even their most aggressive behavior pales in comparison to the awful stuff I’ve seen in Europe and the US. At least they don’t destroy or deface things…
I absolutely agree with that! (^-^) I’d take a bunch of Japanese drunks any day over the kind we have in the Europe or the US! Umeshu (plum wine) is fantastic any way it is served, but the easier on your liver the better!
I found several kinds of umeshu at 99 Ranch Market (Chinese megamarket), even one without sulfites and a low alcohol level. Major score! Who knew that Chinese loved Japanese plum wine so much…
Lucky you! I am such a cheapskate I make all my plum on my own! (^-^)
Oh! How do you do that?
Easy – get some basic alcohol, a big jar, a load of sugar crystals and the right kind of ume. Then let it sit and wait for 3 months to 2 years. The kind of alcohol and sugar to be used is described on many of the ume-shu websites you will easily find. (^-^)
Ah, OK. I looked up what I would need and “basic alcohol” is soju, or even boring generic vodka? That costs more than the actual umeshu imported from Japan (a bottle cost $10-12 imported, or $5-6 local), never mind finding plums and sugar. I guess for the amount I would drink it here (once in a great blue moon, as it’s a treat that just reminds me of Japan), it’s not worth making. But interesting that you can make it!
Here in Japan it is cheaper to make it yourself if you get the basic shochu, the rock sugar and ume from your granny. I guess it would be too much of a hassle to make it abroad!
I asked my friend to bring one back for me as an お’みやげ but she couldn’t find them. Are they only available at bars??
Hi! No, you can get them in super markets and wine stores as well I think. Maybe not everywhere but almost everywhere I think… (^-^) Maybe she just decided it was too heavy to lug around the world? (^-^)
For an antithese, I think your next post should be one on shochu!
One day I would love to learn enough about shochu to be able to write about it! (^-^)
Like your article, and also learn a new word. Nominication! Hahaha it’s hilarious, im going to tell my wife about it. By the way kind of profession does your work relate to? If you dont mind answering. Cheers!
Nominication is a great Japanese word! (^-^) My work is not so interesting… (^-^;)
I’m also not good at drinking alcohol. Try so-called one of some series of “ChuuHai”, it has lower degree of alcohol than beer at most of the case. To prepare before the next meeting at Izakaya, get a caned “ChuuHai” in convini or supermarket. The brand “Kirin Hyouketsu” ( 4 or 5 % alcohol ) is delicious and my recommendation.
Sorry, the alcohol percent of the said drink is not 4 % nor 5 but 6.
Though I suppose it is easier to drink than beer and you can share real sprits of your companion by having the drink.
Thanks for the recommendation! I do try different stuff, but most days I don’t like drinking any alcohol at all, especially not if I have to get up early the next to work! (^-^;)