Japanese whisky is breaking records at global auction houses
When a bottle of Karuizawa 52-year-old Zodiac Rat sold for a record price at auction in March 2020, the sale proved Japan’s whisky is serious business.
Drug addiction recovery efforts in Japan hampered by coronavirus crisis
As social distancing is encouraged to contain COVID-19, some support groups have started using online platforms as a way to support rehabilitation.
Here’s what the sake and shōchū experts are drinking at home
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere: Time for a well-deserved at-home happy hour.
South African brewer says it may dump 400 million bottles of beer
South African Breweries, one of the world's largest brewers, says it may have to destroy 400 million bottles of beer as a result of the country's ban on alcohol sales that is part of its lockdown measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus. South ...
Japan to exempt tax for alcoholic beverages used in disinfection
The exemption will remain effective as long as the health ministry approves the use of such products as a substitute.
Beer may lose its fizz as CO2 supplies go flat during pandemic
Dwindling supplies of carbon dioxide from ethanol plants is sparking concern about shortages of beer, soda and seltzer water — essentials for many quarantined Americans. Brewers and soft-drink makers use carbon dioxide, or CO2, for carbonation, which gives beer and soda fizz. Ethanol producers are ...
Sake breweries answer calls for strong alcohol as sanitizers run short
Sake breweries across Japan have begun producing high-alcohol content liquids for use in place of the alcohol-based sanitizers that have become scarce during the COVID-19 crisis. Kazuki Haruta, president of Kikisui Sake Co. based in Kochi Prefecture, said he arrived at the idea of producing ...
Suntory to make free alcohol-based disinfectants for hospitals in Japan
Beverage maker Suntory Holdings Ltd. will start providing alcohol-based disinfectants free to hospitals later this month to address the shortage caused by the coronavirus pandemic. "We want to cooperate even a little at a time when demand and supply are tight for rubbing alcohol," a ...
COVID-19 puts a cork in profits for Tokyo’s wine bars
COVID-19-related lockdowns and subsequent reservation cancellations are threatening Tokyo’s wine businesses. Although some are making the pivot to delivery, many might be unable to weather shutting their doors for months without government assistance.
Japan OKs takeout alcohol at bars and restaurants as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on bottom lines
In line with the decision, the National Tax Agency has introduced a six-month alcohol-sales license and began accepting applications. The deadline is June 30.
Europe's beer brewers fear a bitter summer as lockdowns drag on
Shuttered bars, canceled concerts and no sports matches: European beer brewers large and small are bracing for a catastrophic summer as demand dries up during the lockdowns imposed to curtail the coronavirus outbreak. "When it's nice out, that's when you sell beer," said Maxime Costilhes, ...
