Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

Socialize

Vietnam Beer

By

viet_nam
Today in 1945, Vietnam gained their Independence from France and Japan.

Vietnam
vietnam-color

Vietnam Breweries

Vietnam 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 No Limit

vietnam

  • Full Name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
  • Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, as well as China, Laos, and Cambodia
  • Government Type: Communist state
  • Language: Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer, mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
  • Religion(s): Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8%
  • Capital: Hanoi
  • Population: 91,519,289; 13th
  • Area: 331,210 sq km, 66th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly larger than New Mexico
  • National Food: Phở
  • National Symbol: Water Buffalo, Dragon; Lotus; Bamboo, Rice; Vietnamese waterbird (Lac bird), Dong Son drums; Vietnamese waterbird (chim lạc), Vietnamese golden turtle (kim quy)
  • Affiliations: UN, ASEAN
  • Independence: From France, September 2, 1945

vietnam-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: None (to drink); 18 (to buy)
  • BAC: No Limit
  • Number of Breweries: 17

vietnam-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: bia / rượu
  • How to Order a Beer: một bia,
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Can chén [North V.] / Can ly [South V.] / Chia / Cung ly (gumm lee)
  • Toasting Etiquette: A typical toast would be “To your health!” It is always best to allow the Vietnamese host to make the toast. It is most appropriate to suggest that the highest-ranking Vietnamese at the table make the toast, even if the foreign visitor is the host of the evening.

vietnam-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 97%
  • Wine: <1%
  • Spirits: 2%
  • Other: 1%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 1.07
  • Unrecorded: 2.70
  • Total: 3.77
  • Beer: 1.13

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 1.1 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Increase
  • Excise Taxes: N/A
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Places
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Sales promotions

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

vietnam-asia

Nagorno-Karabakh Beer

By

Nagorno-Karabakh
Today in 1991, Nagorno-Karabakh gained their Independence from Azerbaijan.

Nagorno-Karabakh
nagorno-karabach-color

Nagorno-Karabakh Breweries

Nagorno-Karabakh Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.00%

Nagorno-Karabakh

  • Full Name: The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (a.k.a. the Autonomous Region of Nagorno-Karabakh)
  • Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, in the Southern Caucasus
  • Government Type: Republic; multiparty presidential regime
  • Language: Armenian, Russian
  • Religion(s): Armenian Apostolic Church
  • Capital: Stepanakert
  • Population: 138,000
  • Area: 4,400 sq km
  • National Symbols: Eagle; Granny and Gramps stone heads
  • Affiliations: None
  • Independence: From Azerbaijan, September 2, 1991, but still unrecognized

Nagorno-Karabakh-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 16
  • BAC: 0.00%
  • Number of Breweries: Unknown

Nagorno-Karabakh-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: garejure, kara choor / գարեջուր
  • How to Order a Beer: një garejure / մեկ գարեջուր, խնդրեմ
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Genatzt or Genatset or Genatsoot (“life”) / կենացդ
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

Nagorno-Karabakh-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 87%
  • Wine: 12%
  • Spirits: 1%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 7.30
  • Unrecorded: 3.30
  • Total: 10.60
  • Beer: 7.00

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 7.3 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Increase
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: None
  • Sales Restrictions: N/A
  • Advertising Restrictions: No
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: N/A

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

nagorno-k-asia

Uzbekistan Beer

By

uzbekistan
Today in 1991, Uzbekistan gained their Independence from the USSR.

Uzbekistan
ukbekistan-color

Uzbekistan Breweries

Uzbekistan 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 0.08%

uzbekistan

  • Full Name: Republic of Uzbekistan
  • Location: Central Asia, north of Turkmenistan, south of Kazakhstan
  • Government Type: Republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
  • Language: Uzbek (official) 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
  • Religion(s): Muslim 88% (mostly Sunni), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%
  • Capital: Tashkent
  • Population: 28,394,180; 44th
  • Area: 447,400 sq km, 57th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly larger than California
  • National Food: O’sh
  • National Symbols: Khumo; Amu Darya and Syr Darya
  • Affiliations: UN, CIS
  • Independence: From the Soviet Union, September 1, 1990

ukbekistan-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18 (to drink); 21 (to buy)
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Number of Breweries: 18

uzbekistan-money-2

  • How to Say “Beer”: pivo
  • How to Order a Beer: bir pivo, Iltimos
  • How to Say “Cheers”: o‘nga / tost, qadah ko’tarish / xayr / rahmat
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

uzbekistan-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 20%
  • Wine: 14%
  • Spirits: 66%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 1.64
  • Unrecorded: 1.90
  • Total: 3.54
  • Beer: 0.28

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 1.6 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Increase
  • Excise Taxes: N/A
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Hours, location
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

ukbekistan-asia

Malaysia Beer

By

malaysia
Today in 1957, Malaysia gained their Independence from the United Kingdom.

Malaysia
malaysia-color

Malaysia Breweries

Malaysia 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 0.05%

malaysia

  • Full Name: Malaysia
  • Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam
  • Government Type: Constitutional monarchy
  • Language: Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai
  • Religion(s): Muslim (or Islam – official) 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8%
  • Capital: Kuala Lumpur
  • Population: 29,179,952; 43rd
  • Area: 329,847 sq km, 67th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly larger than New Mexico
  • National Food: Nasi Lemak
  • National Symbols: Malayan Tiger; Hibiscus; Durian; Petronas Tower; Bintang Persekutuan (Federal Stars)
  • Affiliations: UN, ASEAN, Commonwealth
  • Independence: From the UK, August 31, 1957 / Malaysia Day, celebrating the formation of Malaysia, September 16, 1963

malaysia-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: None (to drink); 18 (to buy)
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Number of Breweries: 3

malaysia-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: bir
  • How to Order a Beer: N/A
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Slamat minum / Ceria
  • Toasting Etiquette: The only times toasts might be given is when you are with Chinese or Indian hosts. The term “Yam Sing” is often used when everyone drinks at the same time.

malaysia-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 79%
  • Wine: 4%
  • Spirits: 17%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 0.50
  • Unrecorded: 0.32
  • Total: 0.82
  • Beer: 0.38

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 0.5 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Hours, location
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

malaysia-asia

Tatarstan Beer

By

Tartarstan
Today in 1990, Tatarstan announced their Independence from the USSR, though it didn’t stick and they became part of the Russian Federation, though it’s stil celebrated as a holiday.

Tatarstan
tatarstan-color

Tatarstan Breweries

Tatarstan 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 0.00%

Tartarstan

  • Full Name: Republic of Tatarstan
  • Location: Center of the East European Plain, approximately 500 miles east of Moscow, between the Volga and the Kama Rivers, and east to the Ural mountains.
  • Government Type: Democratic constitutional state associated with the Russian Federation by the Constitution of the Russian Federation
  • Language: Tatar (a.k.a. Tatarian)
  • Religion(s): Muslim 55%, Russian Orthodox 45%
  • Capital: Kazan
  • Population: 3,772,800
  • Area: 68,000 sq km
  • National Food: Ndolé
  • National Symbols: Winged Leopard; Tatar Tulip
  • Affiliations: None
  • Independence: August 30, 1990, Tatarstan announced its sovereignty with Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Tatar Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992, the Tatarstan Constitution defined Tatarstan as a Sovereign State, but their constitution, as of 2002, defined Tatarstan as a part of Russian Federation.

tartarstan-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: None (to drink); 18 (to buy)
  • BAC: 0.03%
  • Number of Breweries: 13

tartarstan-money-1

  • How to Say “Beer”: bira / sira / сыра
  • How to Order a Beer: ber bira, zínhar öçen
  • How to Say “Cheers”: сёлёмётлек
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

tatarstan_map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 33%
  • Wine: 1%
  • Spirits: 63%
  • Other: 3%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 11.03
  • Unrecorded: 4.73
  • Total: 15.76
  • Beer: 3.65

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 11.2 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Time, location, specific events, intoxicated persons, petrol stations
  • Advertising Restrictions: N/A
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: N/A

Patterns of Drinking Score: 5

Prohibition: None

Tatarstan-asia

Russia Beer

By

russia
Today in 1991, Russia gained their Independence from the USSR.

Russia
Russia-color

Russia Breweries

Russia Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: The Union of Russian Brewers

National Regulatory Agency: Federal Service for Consumer Rights and Social Welfare, Ministry of Health and Social Development

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Labels must include the following information: Product name (and type, for beer); Manufacturer name and address; Trademark, if any; Date marking (both bottling and use-by dates); Alcohol by volume (expressed as minimal content for beer); Special instructions for storage; Reference to applicable regulatory compliance document; Certification information. Also, Additives must be listed, and for beer, label must include information on extractability of original wort, basic source composition, major ingredients listing (determined by manufacturer), and nutritional value.

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.00%

russia

  • Full Name: Russian Federation
  • Location: North Asia bordering the Arctic Ocean, extending from Europe (the portion west of the Urals) to the North Pacific Ocean
  • Government Type: Federation
  • Language: Russian (official), many minority languages
  • Religion(s): Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2%; Russia has large populations of non-practicing believers and non-believers, a legacy of over 70 years of Soviet rule
  • Capital: Moscow (Moskva)
  • Population: 138,082,178; 9th
  • Area: 17,098,242 sq km, 1st
  • Comparative Area: Approximately 1.8 times the size of the US
  • National Food: Shchi, Kasha and Pelmeni
  • National Symbols: Bear, Golden Bicephalic Eagle; Birch tree; Moscow Kremlin, Saint Basil’s Cathedral, Matryoshka doll, AK47, Khokhloma, Ushanka, Kosovorotka; Red Star, Spasskaya Tower, Khokhloma, Double-headed eagle; Volga River
  • Affiliations: UN, CIS
  • Independence: From the Soviet Union, August 24, 1991 / Notable Earlier Dates: 1157 (Principality of Vladimir-Suzdal created); January 16, 1547 (Tsardom of Muscovy established); October 22, 1721 (Russian Empire proclaimed); December 30, 1922 (Soviet Union established)

russia-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: None (to drink); 18 (to buy) [Note: There is no law or regulation in Russia that prohibits minors from consuming alcohol, but selling alcohol to minors is prohibited by federal and additional regional laws.]
  • BAC: 0.00% [Note, WHO claims 0.03%]
  • Number of Breweries: 160

russia-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: pivo / Пиво
  • How to Order a Beer: odno pivo, pozhaluysta / одно пиво, пожалуйста
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Budem zdorovy (“let’s stay healthy”) / Chtob vse byli zdorovy (“let everybody be healthy”) / Na zdorovia *may not actually be used* / Na zdorovje (“to your health”) / Za sbychu mecht / будем здоровы / за ваше здоровье / пей до дна
  • Toasting Etiquette: Begin eating only after somebody says a toast, even if there is no alcohol on the table [which is almost impossible]. Toasting is a very important part of dining. Toasts are common The host starts and guests reply. Do not drink until the first toast is offered. After a toast, many Russians like to clink their glasses together. Do not do so if you are drinking something non-alcoholic.

    Not drinking is a serious handicap to doing business in Russia. It’s the way things are done. In all but the most Westernized circles, you will have trouble winning trust if you do not get drunk with your hosts. It’s considered a way of breaking down barriers and getting to know the real you. Refusing to drink is unacceptable unless you give a plausible excuse, such as explaining that health or religious reasons prevent you from imbibing. Also you may smile and pretend that you are drinking, to show that you accept the toast and respect those around you. If you feel that you’re getting intoxicated, avoid signing anything.

russia-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 33%
  • Wine: 1%
  • Spirits: 63%
  • Other: 3%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 11.03
  • Unrecorded: 4.73
  • Total: 15.76
  • Beer: 3.65

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 11 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Time, location, specific events, intoxicated persons, petrol stations
  • Advertising Restrictions: N/A
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: N/A

Patterns of Drinking Score: 5

Prohibition: 1914-1925

russia-asia

Afghanistan Beer

By

afghanistan
Today in 1919, Afghanistan gained their Independence from the United Kingdom.

Afghanistan
afghanistan-color

Afghanistan Breweries

Afghanistan 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 Zero Tolerance

afghanistan

  • Full Name: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
  • Location: Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
  • Government Type: Islamic Republic
  • Language: Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
  • Religion(s): Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%
  • Capital: Kabul
  • Population: 30,419,928; 40th
  • Area: 652,230 sq km, 41st
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Texas
  • National Food: Kabuli pulao
  • National Symbols: Marco Polo Sheep (national animal) and Lion (official); Eagle (national bird); Tulip; Crescent moon and star
  • Affiliations: UN
  • Independence: From UK control over Afghan foreign affairs, August 19, 1919

afghanistan-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: No
  • Minimum Drinking Age: Illegal [though underground drinking flourishes]
  • BAC: Zero Tolerance
  • Number of Breweries: 0

afghanistan-money-2

  • How to Say “Beer”: bir / ab’jo / آبجو
  • How to Order a Beer: yao bir, lutfan
  • How to Say “Cheers”: لټول سوی لغت / roghtyaa
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

afghanistan-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: <1%
  • Wine: <1%
  • Spirits: 100%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 0.00
  • Unrecorded: 0.02
  • Total: 0.02
  • Beer: 0.00

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 0.00 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: No
  • Minimum Age: Total ban
  • Sales Restrictions: Total ban
  • Advertising Restrictions: Total ban
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Total ban

Patterns of Drinking Score: N/A

Prohibition: Yes

afghanistan-asia

Indonesia Beer

By

indonesia
Today in 1945, Indonesia gained their Independence from the Netherlands.

Indonesia
indonesia-color

Indonesia Breweries

Indonesia Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC No Limit

indonesia

  • Full Name: Republic of Indonesia
  • Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (of which the most widely spoken is Javanese)
  • Religion(s): Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 3.4%
  • Capital: Jakarta
  • Population: 248,216,193; 4th
  • Area: 1,904,569 sq km, 15th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly less than three times the size of Texas
  • National Food: Ndolé
  • National Symbols: Garuda (mythical vahana of Vishnu) or Javan Hawk-eagle, Komodo dragon & Asian arowana; Jasminum sambac, Moon orchid & Rafflesia arnoldi; Durian (King of fruit) and Mangosteen (Queen of fruit); Teak; Borobudur; Garuda Pancasila
  • Affiliations: UN, ASEAN
  • Independence: Declared from the Netherlands, August 17, 1945 / 27 December 1949 Recognized by the Netherlands, December 27, 1949 [In August 2005, the Netherlands announced that it had recognized de facto Indonesian independence on August 17, 1945]

indonesia-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 21
  • BAC: No Limit
  • Number of Breweries: 7

indonesia-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: bir
  • How to Order a Beer: N/A
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Pro [Bahasa] / Selamat / Tos (toss)
  • Toasting Etiquette: Since 90% of Indonesians are Muslims, alcohol will not be served. If your host happens to be Indonesian of Chinese heritage and not Muslim, alcohol may be served. There is no tradition for toasting with alcohol.

indonesia-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 100%
  • Wine: <1%
  • Spirits: <1%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 0.06
  • Unrecorded: 0.50
  • Total: 0.56
  • Beer: 0.06

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 0.1 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 21
  • Sales Restrictions: Hours, location, specific events, intoxicated persons, petrol stations
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None.

indonesia-asia

India Beer

By

india
Today in 1947, India gained their Independence from the United Kingdom.

India
india-color

India Breweries

India Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Directorate General for Foreign Trade

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Labels must include the following information: Name, trade name, or description of the product, Net weight and gross weight, Date markings, including shelf life of the product and/or expiration dates, Special instructions for storage or use, Bar codes (if applicable) are issued by EAN (European Article Numbering) at New Delhi, Market retail price, including taxes, duties, transportation, Distinctive batch, lot, or code number, and Month and year the product was manufactured or packed

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.03%

India

  • Full Name: Republic of India
  • Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan
  • Government Type: Federal Republic
  • Language: Hindi 41%, Bengali 8.1%, Telugu 7.2%, Marathi 7%, Tamil 5.9%, Urdu 5%, Gujarati 4.5%, Kannada 3.7%, Malayalam 3.2%, Oriya 3.2%, Punjabi 2.8%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.2%, other 5.9%; English (subsidiary official)
  • Religion(s): Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1%
  • Capital: Delhi (New Delhi)
  • Population: 1,205,073,612; 2nd
  • Area: 3,287,263 sq km, 7th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly more than one-third the size of the US
  • National Food: Indian Cuisine
  • National Symbols: Royal Bengal Tiger (national animal), Peacock (national bird), King Cobra (national reptile), Gangetic River Dolphin (national aquatic animal), Elephant (National heritage animal); Lotus; Mango; Banyan; the Lion Capital of Asoka, spinning wheel (Asoka Chakra), Taj Mahal; the Ganges River
  • Affiliations: UN, Commonwealth
  • Independence: From the UK, August 15, 1947

india-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18–25 (varies between states) [Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Gujarat]
  • BAC: 0.03%
  • Number of Breweries: 61

india-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: beer
  • How to Order a Beer: One beer, please
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Cheers
  • Toasting Etiquette: Toasting is not a normal custom in India. However, in business meals where drinks are served, it is normal for the host to toast by raising the glass and saying “cheers.”

india-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 10%
  • Wine: 2%
  • Spirits: 88%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 0.55
  • Unrecorded: 0.20
  • Total: 0.75
  • Beer: 0.06

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 0.6 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Increase
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18-25, but depends on the State
  • Sales Restrictions: Time, location, specific events
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: In some states of India alcoholic drinks are banned, for example the states of Gujarat, Nagaland and Mizoram. Certain national holidays such as Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti (birthdate of Mahatma Gandhi) are meant to be dry days nationally. The state of Andhra Pradesh had imposed Prohibition under the Chief Ministership of N. T. Rama Rao but this was thereafter lifted. Dry days are also observed on voting days. Prohibition was also observed from 1996 to 1998 in Haryana. Prohibition has become controversial in Gujarat following a July 2009 episode in which widespread poisoning resulted from alcohol that had been sold illegally. All of the Indian states observe dry days on major religious festivals/occasions depending on the popularity of the festival in that region. These dry days are observed to maintain peace and order during the festival days.

india-asia

Pakistan Beer

By

pakistan
Today in 1947, Pakistan gained their Independence from British India.

Pakistan
pakistan-color

Pakistan Breweries

Pakistan Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: Falls under Drink and Drugs, S. No 14. No Set limit. 8 Penalty Points.

pakistan

  • Full Name: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
  • Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
  • Government Type: Federal Republic
  • Language: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Saraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
  • Religion(s): Muslim (official) 95% (Sunni 75%, Shia 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5%
  • Capital: Islamabad
  • Population: 190,291,129; 6th
  • Area: 796,095 sq km, 36th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly less than twice the size of California
  • National Food: Biryani, Nihari
  • National Symbols: Markhor (national animal), Chukar (national bird); Jasminum officinale (“Poet’s Jasmine”); Mango (Summer fruit) and Guava (Winter fruit); Deodar (Cedrus Deodara); Minar-e-Pakistan (Tower of Pakistan); Star and crescent; and the Indus River (Sindh) (unofficial)
  • Affiliations: UN, Commonwealth
  • Independence: From British India, August 14, 1947

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  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 21 (Illegal for Muslims)
  • BAC: 0.00%
  • Number of Breweries: 1

pakistan-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: bir sharab
  • How to Order a Beer: ikk bir sharab, khush karna
  • How to Say “Cheers”: jai jaikar
  • Toasting Etiquette: There are no toasts in Pakistan

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Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: <1%
  • Wine: <1%
  • Spirits: <1%
  • Other: 100%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 0.01
  • Unrecorded: 0.05
  • Total: 0.06
  • Beer: 0.00

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 0.01 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: No
  • Minimum Age: 21 (Illegal for Muslims)
  • Sales Restrictions: Yes
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: Pakistan allowed the free sale and consumption of alcohol for three decades from 1947, but restrictions were introduced by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto just weeks before he was removed as prime minister in 1977. Since then, only members of non-Muslim minorities such as Hindus, Christians and Zoroastrians are allowed to apply for permits for alcohol. The monthly quota depends on their income but is usually about five bottles of liquor or 100 bottles of beer. In a country of 180 million, only about 60 outlets are allowed to sell alcohol. Enforced by the country’s Islamic Ideology Council, the ban is strictly policed. However, members of religious minorities often sell their liquor permits to Muslims and a black market trade in alcohol continues.

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