Japan for the Uninvited

Happoshu, which means “fizzy alcohol”, is a cheap beer imitation, which rivals real beer for popularity in Japan.

It’s made from low quality wheat alcohol, fizzy water and a little malt to make it drinkable.

40% cheaper than beer, it avoids high taxation due to its low malt content.

One of the most popular types of happoshu is Asahi’s Honnama, which is made of barley extract and “deep sea water”. Another of Japan’s health fads, deep sea water is rich in minerals and free of pollutants.

• BBC News: ‘Cheap drink helps keep Japan cheerful’
• Sunday Herald: ‘Japanese drinkers love the “medicine” of cheap beer’