Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

Socialize

Singapore Beer

By

singapore
Today in 1965, Singapore gained their Independence from Malaysia.

Singapore
singapore-color

Singapore Breweries

Singapore Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: Agrifood & Veterinary Authority (AVA)

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Labels must include the following information: Product name; Name and address of manufacturer, importer, packer, and distributor; Country of origin; Date marking of minimum duration (expiration date); Ingredients should be listed in descending order of proportions by weight

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.08%

singapore

  • Full Name: Republic of Singapore
  • Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
  • Government Type: Parliamentary republic
  • Language: Mandarin (official) 35%, English (official) 23%, Malay (official) 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil (official) 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9%
  • Religion(s): Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8%
  • Capital: Singapore
  • Population: 5,353,494; 114th
  • Area: 697 sq km, 192nd
  • Comparative Area: Slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
  • National Food: Chilli crab; Hainanese Chicken Rice
  • National Symbols: Merlion, Lion; “Vanda Miss Joaquim” Orchid; Lion head
  • Affiliations: UN, ASEAN, Commonwealth
  • Independence: From Malaysia, August 9, 1965

singapore-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Number of Breweries: 10

singapore-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: pi jiu
  • How to Order a Beer: Ching gay woh ee bay pee joh
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Gan Bei / 乾杯 / 干杯
  • Toasting Etiquette: The most common toast is a simple “Cheers.” A common Chinese toast that you might want to learn and use is “Yum seng!” which literally means “Finish drinking!” (Equivalent to the North American toast “Bottoms up!) There is no set protocol observed for making a toast.

singapore-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 69%
  • Wine: 12%
  • Spirits: 19%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 0.55
  • Unrecorded: 1.00
  • Total: 1.55
  • Beer: 1.45

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 0.6 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Days, density
  • Advertising Restrictions: No
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 2

Prohibition: None

singapore-asia

Bhutan Beer

By

bhutan
Today in 1949, Bhutan signed a bi-lateral treaty with India, and while it has no official independence day, this was as close as I could find.

Bhutan
bhutan-color

Bhutan Breweries

Bhutan 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%

bhutan

  • Full Name: Kingdom of Bhutan
  • Location: Southern Asia, between China and India
  • Government Type: Constitutional monarchy
  • Language: Sharchhopka 28%, Dzongkha (official) 24%, Lhotshamkha 22%, other 26%
  • Religion(s): Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
  • Capital: Thimphu
  • Population: 716,896; 165th
  • Area: 38,394 sq km, 137th
  • Comparative Area: About one-half the size of Indiana
  • National Food: Ema datshi
  • National Symbols: Druk (thunder dragon); Takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana); Blue poppy; Bhutan Cypress
  • Affiliations: UN
  • Independence: Signed a bi-lateral treaty with India, August 8, 1949 / Became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king, 1907

bhutan-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Number of Breweries: 2

bhutan-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: ཆང་སྐོལ
  • How to Order a Beer: N/A
  • How to Say “Cheers”: ཆང་མཆོད
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

bhutan-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

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

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 0.22
  • Unrecorded: 0.33
  • Total: 0.55
  • Beer: 0.21

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 0.2 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: No
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Time, places, specific events, petrol stations
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

bhutan-asia

Maldives Beer

By

maldives
Today in 1965, the Maldives gained their Independence from the United Kingdom.

Maldives
maldives-color

Maldives Breweries

Maldives Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: Total Ban

Maldives

  • Full Name: Republic of Maldives
  • Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Dhivehi (official, dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English (spoken by most government officials)
  • Religion(s): Sunni Muslim (official)
  • Capital: Malé
  • Population: 394,451; 176th
  • Area: 298 sq km, 209th
  • Comparative Area: About 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
  • National Food: Ndolé
  • National Symbols: Yellowfin tuna; Coconut palm
  • Affiliations: UN, Commonwealth
  • Independence: From the UK, July 26, 1965

maldives-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: Totyal Ban
  • BAC: Total Ban
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 0

maldives-money

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

maldives-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: N/A
  • Wine: N/A
  • Spirits: 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: Yes
  • Minimum Age: Total Ban
  • Sales Restrictions: Yes
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: N/A

Prohibition: The Maldives ban the import of alcohol, x-raying all baggage on arrival. Alcoholic beverages are available only to foreign tourists on resort islands and may not be taken off the resort.

maldives-asia

Laos Beer

By

laos
Today in 1949, Laos gained their Independence from France.

Laos
laos-color

Laos Breweries

Laos 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: 0.80 mg per 100 ml of blood

laos

  • Full Name: Lao People’s Democratic Republic
  • Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
  • Government Type: Communist state
  • Language: Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages
  • Religion(s): Buddhist 67%, Christian 1.5%, other and unspecified 31.5%
  • Capital: Vientiane
  • Population: 6,586,266; 103rd
  • Area: 236,800 sq km, 84th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly larger than Utah
  • National Food: Larb with sticky rice
  • National Symbols: Elephant; Plumeria; the Pha That Luang
  • Affiliations: UN, ASEAN
  • Independence: From France and the UK, January 1, 1960

laos-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18 (on premise); None (off premise)
  • BAC: 0.08%
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 1

laos-money-2

  • How to Say “Beer”: ເບຍ
  • How to Order a Beer: ໜຶ່ງ ເບຍ لئوتفن
  • How to Say “Cheers”: ສຽງໂຮ
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

laos-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 25%
  • Wine: <1%
  • Spirits: 75%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 5.73
  • Unrecorded: 1.00
  • Total: 6.73
  • Beer: 1.42

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 5.7 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Time
  • Advertising Restrictions: No
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

laos-asia

Philippines Beer

By

philippines
Today in 1898, The Philippines gained their Independence from Spain.

Philippines
philippines-color

Philippines Breweries

Philippines Brewery Guides

Other Guides

  • CIA World Factbook
  • Official Website
  • U.S. Embassy
  • Wikipedia
  • Wikipedia: Beer and Breweries in the Philippines

Guild: U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, Makati

National Regulatory Agency: Bureau of Food and Drugs,
Department of Health

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Labels must include the following information: Name of product, Net content, Name and address of manufacturer/packer or distributor, including country of origin for imported products, Name and address of Philippine importer/distributor, Alcohol content as a percentage by volume or proof, Lot identification, plus a List of ingredients used in product (in decreasing order of proportion), including additives, flavorings, and preservatives

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05%

Philippines

  • Full Name: Republic of the Philippines
  • Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects – Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
  • Religion(s): Catholic 82.9% (Roman Catholic 80.9%, Aglipayan 2%), Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1%
  • Capital: Manila
  • Population: 103,775,002; 12th
  • Area: 300,000 sq km, 73rd
  • Comparative Area: Slightly larger than Arizona
  • National Food: Adobo, lechon, sinigang
  • National Symbols: Philippine Eagle (National bird); Sampaguita (Jasminum sambac); Mango; Narra; Eight-Rayed Sun and Three Stars, Banaue Rice Terraces, Calesa, Jeepney
  • Affiliations: UN, ASEAN
  • Independence: From Spain, June 12, 1898 / From the U.S., July 4, 1946

philippines-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 18
  • BAC: 0.05%
  • Number of Breweries: 2

philippines-money

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

phillipines-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 31%
  • Wine: <1%
  • Spirits: 69%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 4.38
  • Unrecorded: 2.00
  • Total: 6.38
  • Beer: 1.29

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 4.4 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Time, places
  • Advertising Restrictions: No
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

philippines-asia

Azerbaijan Beer

By

azerbaijan
Today in 1918, Azerbaijan gained their Independence from the Russian Empire.

Azerbaijan
azerbaijan-color

Azerbaijan Breweries

  • Baku-Castel

Azerbaijan Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.00%

Azerbaijan

  • Full Name: Republic of Azerbaijan
  • Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Azerbaijani (Azeri) (official) 90.3%, Lezgi 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified 1%
  • Religion(s): Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8%
  • Capital: Baku
  • Population: 9,493,600; 91st
  • Area: 86,600 sq km, 113th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Maine
  • National Food: Yaprak Dolma
  • National Symbols: Fire; Star and crescent, Star and Flame
  • Affiliations: UN, CIS
  • Independence: From the Russian Empire, May 28, 1918 / From the Soviet Union, August 30, 1991 / Adopted by the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan, October 18, 1991

Coat_of_arms_of_Azerbaijan_by_Sirab

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 16
  • BAC: 0.00%
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 8

azerbajin-money

  • How to Say “Beer”: pivo / pivə
  • How to Order a Beer: N/A
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Afiyæt oslun
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

azerbaijan-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

azerbaijan-eu

Armenia Beer

By

armenia
Today in 1918, Armenia gained their Independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Armenia
armenia-color

Armenia Breweries

Armenia Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None Known

National Regulatory Agency: None

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.04%

Armenia

  • Full Name: Republic of Armenia
  • Location: Southwestern Asia, between Turkey (to the west) and Azerbaijan
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Armenian (official) 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4%
  • Religion(s): Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheist with elements of nature worship) 1.3%
  • Capital: Yerevan
  • Population: 2,970,495; 138th
  • Area: 29,743 sq km, 143rd
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Maryland
  • National Food: Harissa
  • National Symbols: Eagle and Lion; Mount Ararat; Mayr Hayastan (Mother Armenia)
  • Affiliations: UN, CIS
  • Independence: From the Ottoman Empire, May 28, 1918 / From the Soviet Union, September 21, 1991

Coat_of_arms_of_Armenia

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: None
  • BAC: 0.04%
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 14

armenia-money

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

armenia-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 9%
  • Wine: 3%
  • Spirits: 6%
  • Other: 82%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 10.05
  • Unrecorded: 1.30
  • Total: 11.35
  • Beer: 1.05

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 10.1 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Increase
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: None
  • Sales Restrictions: Places
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 2

Prohibition: None

armenia-eu

Republic Of Georgia Beer

By

georgia-new
Today in 1991, Georgia gained their Independence from the USSR.

Republic of Georgia
georgia-color

Georgia Breweries

  • Kaiser Brau
  • Lomisi Brewery
  • Natakhtari Brewery

Georgia 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 0.03% or 0.02%

Georgia

  • Full Name: Republic of Georgia
  • Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Georgian (official) 71%, Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7%
  • Religion(s): Orthodox Christian (official) 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7%
  • Capital: Tbilisi
  • Population: 4,570,934; 123rd
  • Area: 69,700 sq km, 121st
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than South Carolina
  • National Food: Khachapuri, Khinkali
  • National Symbols: Five red crosses, Kartlis Deda
  • Affiliations: UN, Commonwealth of Independent States
  • Independence: From the USSR, April 9, 1991 / From Soviet Russia, May 26, 1918

georgia-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 16
  • BAC: 0.03%
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 17

GeorgiaPNew-10Lari-2002-donatedsrb_f

  • How to Say “Beer”: ლუდი
  • How to Order a Beer: N/A
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Gagimardschoss / Gaumardschoss
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

georgia-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 18%
  • Wine: 20%
  • Spirits: 62%
  • Other: <1%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 3.90
  • Unrecorded: 2.50
  • Total: 6.40
  • Beer: 0.76

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 3.9 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Sales Restrictions: Places
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: 2

Prohibition: None

georgia-eu

Bangladesh Beer

By

bangladesh
Today in 1971, Bangladesh gained their Independence from Pakistan.

Bangladesh
bangladesh-color

Bangladesh Breweries

  • Crown Beverages
  • Hunter Beer

Bangladesh Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: None

National Regulatory Agency: Department of Narcotics Control

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.00%

Bangladesh

  • Full Name: People’s Republic of Bangladesh
  • Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
  • Government Type: Parliamentary Democracy
  • Language: Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
  • Religion(s): Muslim 89.5%, Hindu 9.6%, other 0.9%
  • Capital: Dhaka
  • Population: 161,083,804; 8th
  • Area: 143,998 sq km, 95th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Iowa
  • National Food: Biryani, Rice and fish, especially Ilish
  • National Symbols: Royal Bengal Tiger, Magpie Robin, Ilish (a.k.a. Hilsa Fish); White Water Lily; Jackfruit; Mango Tree; Red Sun
  • Affiliations: UN, Commonwealth
  • Independence: From Pakistan, March 26, 1971 / Official Creation of Bangladesh (a.k.a. Victory Day), December 16, 1971

bangladesh-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: No [Note: Foreign passport holders of non-Muslim nations can drink in some licensed restaurants and bars (and expatriate clubs) and can purchase imported alcohol from ‘diplomatic bonded warehouses’ at a hefty rate of sales duty (Approximately 300%). Holders of diplomatic passports and some other specially privileged persons (such as U.N. employees) have ‘passbooks’ which entitle them to buy imported alcohol from the same ‘bonded warehouses’ duty free. Often duty free and duty paid prices are shown alongside one another. Bangladesh nationals of any religion may purchase alcohol from special outlets with a medical certificate. Illegal homemade liquor (known as ‘Mod’ or ‘Bangla’) is widely consumed in rural areas. The (mostly Christian) Garo tribal folk also brew a strong rice beer called ‘Choo’. Christians are permitted to use wine for Holy Communion.]
  • Minimum Drinking Age: Illegal
  • BAC: 0.00%
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 1

BangladeshPNew-10Taka-2006-donatedTA_f

  • How to Say “Beer”: beer
  • How to Order a Beer: Eka handoiya, doya koray
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Joy
  • Toasting Etiquette: N/A

bangladesh-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

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

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 0.00
  • Unrecorded: 0.20
  • Total: 0.20
  • Beer: 0.00

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 0 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: Illegal
  • Sales Restrictions: Yes
  • Advertising Restrictions: Yes
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

bangladesh-asia

South Korea Beer

By

korea_south
Today in 1919, South Korea gained their Independence from Japan.

South Korea
south-korea-color

South Korea Breweries

South Korea Brewery Guides

Other Guides

Guild: Korea Microbrewery Association

National Regulatory Agency: Korean Food and Drug Administration

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Labels must include the following information:

  • Name of the product
  • Country of origin
  • Type of product
  • Importer’s name and address
  • Importer’s business license number
  • Date of bottling
  • Alcohol percentage and product volume: Tolerance of +/- 0.5% with regards to accuracy of alcohol content
  • Location where product may be exchanged or returned in the instance of a defective product
  • Instructions for storage, if applicable
  • Mode of distribution, must specify one of the three: “Discount store sale only,” “Restaurant sale only,” or “Sale for home use only” (taxes on beverages vary depending on the mode of distribution)

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05%

South-Korea

  • Full Name: Republic of Korea
  • Location: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea
  • Government Type: Republic
  • Language: Korean, English (widely taught in junior high and high school)
  • Religion(s): Christian 26.3% (Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%), Buddhist 23.2%, other or unknown 1.3%, none 49.3%
  • Capital: Seoul
  • Population: 48,860,500; 25th
  • Area: 99,720 sq km, 109th
  • Comparative Area: Slightly larger than Indiana
  • National Food: Kimchi and Bulgogi
  • National Symbols: Korean Tiger; Hibiscus; Pine tree; Taegeuk, Namdaemun
  • Nickname: Hanguk; Choson, the Land of the Morning Calm
  • Affiliations: UN, African Union, Commonwealth
  • Independence: From Japan, March 1, 1919 / Liberation Day, August 15, 1945, regained independence from Japan after World War II

south-korea-coa

  • Alcohol Legal: Yes
  • Minimum Drinking Age: 19 (If a person is at least 20 according to Korean age reckoning, that person may drink alcohol)
  • BAC: 0.05%
  • Label Requirements: N/A
  • Number of Breweries: 21

korea-south-kso047_f

  • How to Say “Beer”: mek-ju (maek-joo) / 맥주 / 발포성 음료
  • How to Order a Beer: 맥주 한 병 더 주세요 / Mekju han byung du juseyo (in a bottle) [Mayk-joo hahn-jahn, joo-se-yoh]
  • How to Say “Cheers”: Chukbae / Kong gang ul wi ha yo / Konbe
  • Toasting Etiquette: The most common toast is “gonbae,” which is the equivalent of “cheers!” If the toast is proposed as “wonshot” (one shot), guests are expected to empty their glasses in one drink. Formal toasts are usually made only by the host. Visitors may offer to pay for the bill, but the host will usually decline the offer.

    The most common South Korean toast you will hear is ‘Gun-bae.’ When you raise your glass, be sure to do so with your right hand. To confer extra respect toward the person being toasted, support your right arm with your left hand. Be aware that the minute you drain your glass, it is a cue to your host that you would like a ‘refill.’

korea-south-map

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

  • Beer: 18%
  • Wine: 1%
  • Spirits:81%
  • Other: <1%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

  • Recorded: 11.80
  • Unrecorded: 3.00
  • Total: 14.80
  • Beer: 2.14

WHO Alcohol Data:

  • Per Capita Consumption: 11.8 litres
  • Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
  • Excise Taxes: Yes
  • Minimum Age: 19
  • Sales Restrictions: No
  • Advertising Restrictions: Advertising
  • Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: None

south-korea-asia