The mood at breweries goes up with the mercury -- when it's blazing hot, ice-cold beer is irresistible and sales skyrocket.

With each 1 degree rise in the temperature, national beer consumption increases by 1 million large bottles a day in June-August, according to Kirin Brewery Co.

The estimate, taken from a 7-year average through 2002, translates into 660 kiloliters of beer each time the thermometer goes up a notch.