Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

Socialize

El Salvador Beer

By

el_salvador
Today in 1821, El Salvador gained their Independence from Spain.

El Salvador
el-salvador-color

El Salvador Breweries

El Salvador Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05%

el-salvador

  • Full Name: Republic of El Salvador
  • Location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Spanish (official), Nahua (among some Amerindians)
  • Religion(s): Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 21.2%, Jehovah’s Witnesses 1.9%, Mormon 0.7%, other religions 2.3%, none 16.8%
  • Capital: San Salvador
  • Population: 6,090,646; 106th
  • Area: 21,041 sq km, 153rd
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Massachusetts
  • National Food: Pupusa
  • National Symbols: Turquoise-browed Motmot, Eumomota superciliosa (Torogoz); Maquilishuat (Tabebuia rosea)
  • Affiliations: UN, OAS
  • Independence: From Spain, September 15, 1821

el-salvador-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18
  • BAC: 0.05%
  • Number of Breweries: 1

el-salvador-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: cerveza
  • How to Order a Beer: Una cerveza, por favor
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Salud
  • Toasting Etiquette: When proposing a toast, people just raise the glass and say, “Salud!” You should always offer your own toast and should say something to the effect that you are pleased to be in El Salvador after hearing so much about it. Then commend the people for treating you in such a family-like manner.

    At the beginning of a meal, someone says “Buen provecho!” (Enjoy your food!). This is the most common social toast, and while not said as a toast in the strictest sense of the word, it’s a must for anyone eating with Salvadorans.

el-salvador-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 35%
  • Wine: 2%
  • Spirits: 63%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 2.61
  • Unrecorded: 1.00
  • Total: 3.61
  • Beer: 0.88

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 2.6 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Time, petrol stations
  • Advertising Restrictions: No
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

el-salvador-na

Costa Rica Beer

By

costa_rica
Today in 1821, Costa Rica gained their Independence from Spain.

Costa Rica
costa-rica-color

Costa Rica Breweries

Costa Rica Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud); Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Commerce (Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Comercio)

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Labels must include the following information: Product name; Net content in SI units (e.g., liters); Manufacturer name and address; Bottler; Distributor or importer; Country of origin; Lot ID must appear on each package, either written in plain language or in code; Expiration date (for alcohol beverages with less than 10% alcohol per volume); Directions for use; Sanitary registry number

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.075%

costa-rica

  • Full Name: Republic of Costa Rica
  • Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
  • Government Type: Democratic Republic
  • Language: Spanish (official), English
  • Religion(s): Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah’s Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
  • Capital: San José
  • Population: 4,636,348; 121st
  • Area: 51,100 sq km, 130th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than West Virginia
  • National Food: Gallo pinto
  • National Symbols: Clay-colored Robin (bird), White-tailed deer (animal); Guarianthe skinneri; Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum)
  • Affiliations: UN, OAS
  • Independence: From Spain, September 15, 1821

costa-rica-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18
  • BAC: 0.075%
  • Number of Breweries: 3

costa-rica-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: cerveza
  • How to Order a Beer: Una cerveza, por favor
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Salud
  • Toasting Etiquette: Toasts are made more often than not. Ticos make toasts to their families mostly, for it is the core of their daily lives.

costa-rica-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 55%
  • Wine: 4%
  • Spirits: 41%
  • Other: <1%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 4.15
  • Unrecorded: 1.40
  • Total: 5.55
  • Beer: 2.29

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 4.2 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Time, location, specific events, intoxicated persons, petrol stations
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

costa-rica-na

Number Of UK Breweries Tops 1,000

By

uk
Well this is a tidy bit of news. CAMRA is reporting that the number of breweries in the United Kingdom is now over 1,000 for the first time in over 70 years. Other tidbits include that there are “[t]wice as many brewers now in operation compared to a decade ago” and the “[n]umber of micro breweries have risen despite recession and pub closures,” something we’ve also experienced here in the U.S., too. You can read the full story in the Scotsman, but tonight I think an English beer may be in order.

Gibraltar Beer

By

gibraltar
Today in 1967, Gibraltar held a referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or join Spain.

Gibraltar
gibralter-color

Gibraltar Breweries

Gibraltar Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05%

gibralter

  • Full Name: Gibraltar
  • Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain
  • Government Type: Republic; multiparty presidential regime
  • Language: English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
  • Religion(s): Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other Christian 3.2%, Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none 2.9%
  • Capital: Gibraltar Town
  • Population: 29,034; 217th
  • Area: 6.5 sq km, 243rd
  • Comparative Area: More than 10 times the size of The National Mall in Washington, D.C.
  • National Food: Gibraltarian Cuisine
  • National Symbol: Barbary macaque
  • Affiliations: Commonwealth, EU
  • Independence: National Day, the day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or join Spain, September 10, 1967

gibralter-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18
  • BAC: 0.05%
  • Number of Breweries: 0

gibralter-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: beer
  • How to Order a Beer: one beer, please
  • How to Say “Cheers”: cheers
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

gibralter-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: N/A
  • Wine: N/A
  • Spirits: N/A
  • Other: N/A

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: N/A
  • Unrecorded: N/A
  • Total: N/A
  • Beer: N/A

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: N/A
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: N/A
  • Excise Taxes: N/A
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: N/A
  • Advertising Restrictions: N/A
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: N/A

Patterns of Drinking Score: N/A

Prohibition: None

gibralter-eu

Tajikstan Beer

By

tajikistan
Today in 1991, Tajikstan gained their Independence from the USSR.

Tajikstan
Tajikistan-color

Tajikstan Breweries

Tajikstan Brewery Guides

Other Guides

  • CIA World Factbook
  • Official Website
  • U.S. Embassy
  • Wikipedia

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC Not Known, but law enforcement has recently started cracking down on offenders

Tajikistan

  • Full Name: Republic of Tajikistan
  • Location: Central Asia, west of China, south of Kyrgyzstan
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business
  • Religion(s): Sunni Muslim 85%, Shia Muslim 5%, other 10%
  • Capital: Dushanbe
  • Population: 7,768,385; 96th
  • Area: 143,100 sq km, 96th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Wisconsin
  • National Food: O’sh
  • National Symbol: Crown and seven stars in a semicircle
  • Affiliations: UN, CIS
  • Independence: From the Soviet Union, September 9, 1991

tajikistan-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 21 (Off-limits to the Muslim majority)
  • BAC: Not known
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 7

Tajikistan-money-1

  • How to Say “Beer”: pivo / пиво
  • How to Order a Beer: як пиво, Аҳамияти
  • How to Say “Cheers”: N/A
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

tajikistan-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 21%
  • Wine: 5%
  • Spirits: 74%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 0.39
  • Unrecorded: 3.00
  • Total: 3.39
  • Beer: 0.08

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 0.4 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Decrease
  • Excise Taxes: N/A
  • Minimum Age: 21
  • Sales Restrictions: N/A
  • Advertising Restrictions: N/A
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: N/A

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

Tajikistan-asia

North Korea Beer

By

korea_north
Today in 1948, North Korea declared their Independence from Korea.

North Korea
north-korea-color

North Korea Breweries

North Korea Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC N/A

north-korea

  • Full Name: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
  • Location: Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea
  • Government Type: Communist state one-man dictatorship
  • Language: Korean
  • Religion(s): Traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way). Note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom
  • Capital: Pyongyang
  • Population: 24,589,122; 49th
  • Area: 120,538 sq km, 99th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Mississippi
  • National Food: Kimchi
  • National Symbols: Korean Tiger; Magnolia; Red Star
  • Affiliations: UN
  • Independence: Founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), September 9, 1948 / From Japan, August 15, 1945

north-korea-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18 (Alcoholic beverages are served on Saturdays)
  • BAC: N/A
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 1

no-korea-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: mek-ju (maek-joo) / 맥주 / 발포성 음료
  • How to Order a Beer: N/A
  • How to Say “Cheers”: N/A
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

korea-no-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: N/A
  • Wine: N/A
  • Spirits: N/A
  • Other: N/A

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: N/A
  • Unrecorded: N/A
  • Total: N/A
  • Beer: N/A

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: N/A
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: N/A
  • Excise Taxes: N/A
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: N/A
  • Advertising Restrictions: N/A
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: N/A

Patterns of Drinking Score: N/A

Prohibition: None

north-korea-asia

Macedonia Beer

By

macedonia
Today in 1991, Macedonia gained their Independence from Yugoslavia.

Macedonia
macedonia-color

Macedonia Breweries

Macedonia Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05% [Note: Zero for professional drivers, public service drivers, commercial transport and drivers beginners.]

macedonia

  • Full Name: Republic of Macedonia
  • Location: Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
  • Government Type: Parliamentary Democracy
  • Language: Macedonian (official) 66.5%, Albanian (official) 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8%
  • Religion(s): Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other and unspecified 1.63%
  • Capital: Skopje
  • Population: 2,082,370; 145th
  • Area: 25,713 sq km, 150th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly larger than Vermont
  • National Food: Tavče Gravče
  • National Symbols: Lion (in Macedonian heraldry), Lynx, Ohrid trout; Makedonium (monument); eight-rayed sun, Vergina Sun
  • Affiliations: UN
  • Independence: From Yugoslavia, September 8, 1991

macedonia-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18 [Note: Must show an ID card upon request.]
  • BAC: 0.05%
  • Number of Breweries: 3

macedonia-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: pivo / пиво
  • How to Order a Beer: едно пиво, ве молиме
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Na zdravje! (“to your health”) / на здравје
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

macedonia-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 36%
  • Wine: 28%
  • Spirits: 36%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 5.61
  • Unrecorded: 2.90
  • Total: 8.51
  • Beer: 2.11

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 5.6 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Increase
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Hours, specific events, intoxicated persons
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

macedonia-eu

Andorra Beer

By

andorra
Today in 1278, the nation of Andorra was founded.

Andorra
andorra-color

Andorra Breweries

Andorra Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05%

andorra

  • Full Name: Principality of Andorra
  • Location: Southwestern Europe, Pyrenees mountains, on the border between France and Spain
  • Government Type: Parliamentary Democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its chiefs of state a co-principality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seu d’Urgell, Spain, who are represented in Andorra by the co-princes’ representatives
  • Language: Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
  • Religion(s): Roman Catholic (predominant)
  • Capital: Andorra-la-Vella
  • Population: 85,082; 199th
  • Area: 468 sq km, 195th
  • Comparative Area: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
  • National Food: Escudella, Trinxat
  • National Symbol: Lammergeier Vulture
  • Affiliations: UN
  • Independence: Formed under the joint sovereignty of the French Count of Foix and the Spanish Bishop of Seu d’Urgel, September 8, 1278 / also celebrated as Our Lady of Meritxell Day

andorra-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18
  • BAC: 0.05%
  • Number of Breweries: 1

andorra-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: cervesa
  • How to Order a Beer: Una cervesa, si us plau
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Txin txin
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

andorra-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 31%
  • Wine: 44%
  • Spirits: 25%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 14.08
  • Unrecorded: 1.40
  • Total: 15.48
  • Beer: 3.93

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 14.1 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: N/A
  • Excise Taxes: No
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Places, specific events, intoxicated persons
  • Advertising Restrictions: No
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 1

Prohibition: None

andorra-eu

Ale Industries Adds New Brewster

By

ale-industries
Just got some great news. Morgan Cox, founder and brewer of Ale Industries, and his wife Laura, had their second child last week. Laura gave birth to Rayah just after 5:00 a.m. on September 2. Join me in wishing the happy couple all the best on their birth of their daughter. Congratulations Morgan and Laura!

Particulars:

Original Gravity: 6 pounds, 8 ounces
IBUs: 21.25 in.
Style: Girl
Release Date: September 2, 2012
Label: Rayah Marion Cox

rayah-marion-cox
A sleeping Rayah Marion Cox.

Brazil Beer

By

brazil
Today in 1822, Brazil gained their Independence from Portugal.

Brazil
brazil-color

Brazil Breweries

Brazil Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: Cobracem (Brazilian Brewer Association); Sindicato Nacional Da Cerveja

National Regulatory Agency: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA); National Advertising Regulatory Council (Conselho Nacional de Auto-Regulamentação Publicitária, CONAR)

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Labels must include the following information: Name of product; Beverage type (e.g., wine or beer); Importer name and contact information, if applicable; Company identification number; Country of origin; Alcohol content; Net volume (in metric units); Date of production; List food additives; Statement of ingredients.

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC is Zero in theory. De facto persons above 0.02% receive a fine and have their license suspended for 12 months. Above 0.06% is deemed a crime.

brazil

  • Full Name: Federative Republic of Brazil
  • Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean
  • Government Type: Federal Republic
  • Language: Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages
  • Religion(s): Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4%
  • Capital: Brasília
  • Population: 199,321,413; 5th
  • Area: 8,514,877 sq km, 5th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than the US
  • National Food: Feijoada
  • National Symbols: Jaguar, Macaw; Ipê-amarelo-da-serra; Tabebuia alba; Southern Cross, Christ the Redeemer; Amazon river
  • Affiliations: UN, OAS
  • Independence: From Portugal, September 7, 1822

brazil-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18 [Note: Laws regarding possession or consumption of alcohol by minors are hardly enforced, especially if in the company of a parent or guardian, but those regarding selling minors alcohol are harshly imposed by law keepers, and it is law to remember the legal purchase age while advertising alcoholic beverages. ID Card is required for purchase.]
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Number of Breweries: 218

brazil-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: cerveja
  • How to Order a Beer: Uma cerveja, por favor
  • How to Say “Cheers”: A sua saúde / Saúde (“to your health”) / tim tim
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

brazil-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 44%
  • Wine: 1%
  • Spirits: <1%
  • Other: 55%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 6.16
  • Unrecorded: 3.00
  • Total: 9.16
  • Beer: 3.36

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 5 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 21
  • Sales Restrictions: Time, location
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None.

brazil-so-amer