Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

Socialize

Comoros Beer

By

Comoros-flag-anim
Today in 1975, Comoros gained their Independence from France.

Comoros
comoros-color

Comoros Breweries

Comoros Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.00%

comoros

  • Full Name: Union of the Comoros
  • Location: Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
  • Religion(s): Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
  • Capital: Moroni
  • Population: 737,284; 164th
  • Area: 2,235 sq km, 180th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
  • National Food: Langouste a la vanille (lobster in vanilla sauce)
  • National Symbol: Four Stars and Crescent
  • Affiliations: UN, African Union
  • Independence: From France, July 6, 1975

comoros-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: None
  • BAC: Zero Tolerance
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 0

comoros-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: bière / beereh (biræ)
    جعة / شراب من الشعير / جعة / المزر شراب نوع من الجعة / بيرة
  • How to Order a Beer: Waheed beera, meen fadleek / Une bière, s’il vous plait
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Santé / Bismilah
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

comoros-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 64%
  • Wine: 9%
  • Spirits: 27%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 0.26
  • Unrecorded: 0.50
  • Total: 0.76
  • Beer: 0.17

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 0.3 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Increase
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Places
  • Advertising Restrictions: No
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: N/A

Prohibition: None

comoros-africa

Venezuela Beer

By

venezuela
Today in 1811, Venezuela gained their Independence from Spain.

Venezuela
venezuela-color

Venezuela Breweries

Venezuela Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05%

Venezuela

  • Full Name: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
  • Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
  • Government Type: Federal Republic
  • Language: Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
  • Religion(s): Nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
  • Capital: Caracas
  • Population: 28,047,938; 45th
  • Area: 912,050 sq km, 33rd
  • Comparative Area: Slightly more than twice the size of California
  • National Food: Pabellón criollo
  • National Symbols: Venezuelan Troupial; Cattleya orchid (“Flor de Mayo”); Araguaney (Tabebuia chrysantha); The Seven Stars, arranged in semicircle
  • Nickname: Land of Grace
  • Affiliations: UN, OAS
  • Independence: From Spain, July 5, 1811

venezuela-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 11

venezuela-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: cerveza
  • How to Order a Beer: Una cerveza, por favor
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Salud
  • Toasting Etiquette: Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink. Venezuelans typically toast with the word ‘salud’. The host makes the first toast.

    Toasts are common in Venezuela, and it is not unusual for a host to offer a toast in honor of a visitor. A toast of this kind should be acknowledged with a smile and a cheerful attitude. A visitor should be careful not to drink before the toast or while the toast is being offered, as this may be considered insulting.

venezuela-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 75%
  • Wine: 1%
  • Spirits: 24%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 6.83
  • Unrecorded: 1.40
  • Total: 8.23
  • Beer: 5.19

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 6.8 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Time, places, specific events
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Alcohol sponsorship

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

venezuela-so-amer

Cape Verde Beer

By

cape_verde_islands
Today in 1975, Cape Verde gained their Independence from Portugal.

Cape Verde Islands
cape-verde-color

Cape Verde Breweries

  • Sociedade Cabo Verdiana de Cerveja e Refrigerantes S.A.R.L.

Cape Verde Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.08%

Cape-Verde

  • Full Name: Republic of Cape Verde
  • Location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Portuguese (official), Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)
  • Religion(s): Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)
  • Capital: Praia
  • Population: 523,568; 171st
  • Area: 4,033 sq km, 176th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly larger than Rhode Island
  • National Food: Cachupa
  • National Symbol: Lion
  • Affiliations: UN, African Union
  • Independence: From Portugal, July 5, 1975

cape-verde-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 1

cape-verde-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”)
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

cape-verde-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 14%
  • Wine: 80%
  • Spirits: 6%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 2.06
  • Unrecorded: 2.90
  • Total: 4.96
  • Beer: 0.36

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 2.1 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Increase
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: No
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

cape-verde-africa

Algeria Beer

By

algeria
Today in 1962, Algeria gained their Independence from France.

Algeria
algeria-color

Algeria Breweries

Algeria Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.01%

algeria

  • Full Name: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
  • Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Tamazight (Kabylie), and other Berber dialects
  • Religion(s): Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
  • Capital: Algiers
  • Population: 35,406,303; 35th
  • Area: 2,381,741 sq km, 10th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
  • National Food: Couscous
  • National Symbol: Star and Crescent
  • Affiliations: UN, African Union, Arab League
  • Independence: From France, July 5, 1962

algeria-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18 [Note: Illegal for Muslims]
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 8

algeria-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: beereh (biræ)
    جعة / شراب من الشعير / جعة / المزر شراب نوع من الجعة / بيرة
  • How to Order a Beer: Waheed beera, meen fadleek
  • How to Say “Cheers”: N/A
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

algeria-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 80%
  • Wine: 11%
  • Spirits: 9%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 0.66
  • Unrecorded: 0.30
  • Total: 0.96
  • Beer: 0.09

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 0.7 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Increase
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Location, specific events, petrol stations
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: 2

Prohibition: None

algeria-africa

United States Beer

By

united_states_of_america
Today in 1776, the United States declared their Independence from Great Britain.

United States
usa-color

United States Breweries
Last year I did a page of brewery links for each state, which can be found below:

United States Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guilds: Brewers Association; Beer Institute, numerous State Guilds plus many additional U.S. organizations

National Regulatory Agency: TTB

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: TTB Requirements

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.08%

usa

  • Full Name: United States of America
  • Location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico
  • Government Type: Constitution-based federal republic
  • Language: English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7%
  • Religion(s): Protestant 51.3%, Roman Catholic 23.9%, Mormon 1.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Jewish 1.7%, Buddhist 0.7%, Muslim 0.6%, other or unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%, none 4%
  • Capital: Washington, DC
  • Population: 313,847,465; 3rd
  • Area: 9,826,675 sq km, 3rd
  • Comparative Area: About half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; more than twice the size of the European Union
  • National Food: Apple pie; hamburger; roast turkey; plus many states have their own official state foods
  • National Symbols: Bald Eagle, American Bison; Rose; Oak; Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, Liberty Bell; Stars and Stripes
  • Nickname: America, Uncle Sam
  • Affiliations: UN, NATO, OAS, Pacific Community
  • Independence: Declared from the UK, July 4, 1776 / Recognized by Great Britain, September 3, 1783

usa-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 21 [Note: The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 withholds revenue from states that allow the purchase of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21. Prior to the effective date of that Act, the drinking age varied from state to state.]
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Number of Breweries: 2,000+

us-money

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

us-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 53%
  • Wine: 16%
  • Spirits: 31%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 8.44
  • Unrecorded: 1.00
  • Total: 9.44
  • Beer: 4.47

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 8.4 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 21
  • Sales Restrictions: No
  • Advertising Restrictions: No
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: N/A

Patterns of Drinking Score: 2

Prohibition: 1920-1933

usa-no-amer

Somalia Beer

By

somalia
Today in 1960, Somalia gained their Independence from Italy and the United Kingdom.

Somalia
somalia-color

Somalia Breweries

Somalia Brewery Guides

Other Guides

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

Guild: None

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: N/A

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.00%

Somalia

  • Full Name: Somalia
  • Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia
  • Government Type: No permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary federal government
  • Language: Somali (official), Arabic (official, according to the Transitional Federal Charter), Italian, English
  • Religion(s): Sunni Muslim (Islam) (official)
  • Capital: Mogadishu
  • Population: 10,085,638; 86th
  • Area: 637,657 sq km, 44th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Texas
  • National Food: Suqaar
  • National Symbol: Leopard
  • Affiliations: UN, African Union, Arab League
  • Independence: From a merger of British Somaliland that became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960 and Italian Somaliland that became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960 to form the Somali Republic, July 1, 1960

somalia-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: No
  • Minimum Drinking Age: Banned
  • BAC: Zero Tolerance
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 0

somalia-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: biir / khamri
  • How to Order a Beer: N/A
  • How to Say “Cheers”: N/A
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

somalia-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 0%
  • Wine: 0%
  • Spirits: 0%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 0.00
  • Unrecorded: 0.10
  • Total: 0.10
  • Beer: 0.00

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 0 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: N/A
  • Minimum Age: Banned
  • Sales Restrictions: Time, location
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: N/A

Prohibition: Yes

somalia-africa

Rwanda Beer

By

Rwanda-anim
Today in 1962, Rwanda gained their Independence from Belgium.

Rwanda
rwanda-color

Rwanda Breweries

Rwanda Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.08%

Rwanda

  • Full Name: Republic of Rwanda
  • Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Government Type: Republic; presidential, multiparty system
  • Language: Kinyarwanda (official, universal Bantu vernacular), French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili, used in commercial centers)
  • Religion(s): Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7%
  • Capital: Kigali
  • Population: 11,689,696; 73rd
  • Area: 26,338 sq km, 149th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Maryland
  • National Food: Ugali or Bugali
  • National Symbol: Sun
  • Affiliations: UN, African Union, Commonwealth
  • Independence: From Belgium, July 1, 1962

rwanda-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 3

rwanda-money-zebra

  • How to Say “Beer”: ibyeri
  • How to Order a Beer: N/A
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Dusangire Karyohe
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

rwanda-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 8%
  • Wine: <1%
  • Spirits: <1%
  • Other: 92%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 6.80
  • Unrecorded: 3.00
  • Total: 9.80
  • Beer: 0.54

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 6.8 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Hours, places, petrol stations
  • Advertising Restrictions: No
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None.

rwanda-africa

Burundi Beer

By

burundi
Today in 1962, Burundi gained their Independence from Belgium.

Burundi
burundi-color

Burundi Breweries

Burundi 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 0.10%

Burundi

  • Full Name: Republic of Burundi
  • Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)
  • Religion(s): Indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
  • Capital: Bujumbura
  • Population: 10,557,259; 81st
  • Area: 27,830 sq km, 147th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Maryland
  • National Food: Elephant Soup
  • National Symbol: Lion
  • Affiliations: UN, African Union
  • Independence: From Belgium, July 1, 1962

burundi-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18 [Note: No limit if accompanied by parents.]
  • BAC: 0.10%
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 2

Burundi-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: inzoga / bière / bia
  • How to Order a Beer: N/A
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Kira (“be healthy”)
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

burundi-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 19%
  • Wine: <1%
  • Spirits: <1%
  • Other: 81%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 6.47
  • Unrecorded: 3.00
  • Total: 9.47
  • Beer: 1.16

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 6.5 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Decrease
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: None
  • Sales Restrictions: Hours, location, specific events, intoxicated persons, petrol stations
  • Advertising Restrictions: No
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

burundi-africa

Democratic Republic of the Congo Beer

By

congo-kinshasa-new
Today in 1960, Democratic Republic of the Congo gained their Independence from Belgium.

Democratic Republic of the Congo
congo-dem-rep-color

Democratic Republic of the Congo Breweries

  • Bralima Brewery
  • Brasseries du Congo
  • Brasseries Simba

Democratic Republic of the Congo 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: No Limit

congo_kinshasa

  • Full Name: Democratic Republic of the Congo (a.k.a. Congo-Kinshasa; f.k.a. Zaire)
  • Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba
  • Religion(s): Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 10%
  • Capital: Kinshasa
  • Population: 73,599,190; 19th
  • Area: 2,344,858 sq km, 11th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US
  • National Food: Poulet Moambé
  • National Symbol: The Congo
  • Affiliations: UN, African Union
  • Independence: From Belgium, June 30, 1960

congo-dem-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18
  • BAC: 0.05%
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 12

congo-dem-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: bière
  • How to Order a Beer: Une bière, s’il vous plait
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Santé
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

congo-dem-rep-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 16%
  • Wine: <1%
  • Spirits: <1%
  • Other: 83%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 1.97
  • Unrecorded: 1.26
  • Total: 3.52
  • Beer: 0.32

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 2 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: No
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

congo-dem-rep-africa

Welcome To The World ABInBevMo

By

abim
By now you’ve already seen the news that Anheuser-Busch InBev has taken another step closer to realizing their quest for world domination in the beer business. They’d already owned half of Mexican powerhouse brewer Grupo Modelo — makers of Corona, among other brands — but it was non-voting stock and they asserted very little control over them. In fact, Corona is often a competitor in the U.S., usually with non-Bud distributors. The irony, of course, is whether you bought Bud or Corona, eventually at least some of that money still made its way to ABI. The phrase “laughing all the way to the bank” springs to mind. Hard as it to believe, they already have a new website up even though the merger’s only been finalized in the last twenty-four hours. The name of the new site is Global Beer Leader. Does anybody else think that sounds ominously close to North Korea’s “dear leader?”

ABI is paying Grupo Model $20.1 billion to become ABIM, making it the second-biggest deal ever brokered in the beer world. The first was the $52 billion InBev paid to merge with Anheuser-Busch in 2008. The deal still needs government approval, and will likely be addressed and decided in the first quarter of next year.

According to the deal, Crown Imports — the current importer of Corona and other Grupo Modelo brands under the Constellation Brands umbrella — will continue to be the importer to the U.S. In fact, part of the deal includes the sale of the half of Crown Imports owned by Grupo Modelo to Constellation Brands, who had owned the other half, for $1.85 billion. That gives them 100% control over the distribution of the Modelo brands in America. ABIM head honcho Carlos Brito told Harry Schumacher this morning that they’re looking at this as a golden opportunity primarily to combine Bud and Corona outside the U.S. in the global beer market.

Adam Nason at Beer Pulse has a helpful chart showing that the merger gives ABIM control over 8 of the top 15 global beer brands, just over half.

Full details of the deal can be found at the new website Global Beer Leader.

abim
NOTE: This NOT their official new logo, I made this up as a parody.