With the New Year's holiday coming up, Japan is immersed in end-of-the-year parties with co-workers and friends. These events often kick off with ordering drinks, and in Japan, the phrase "tori-aezu bii-ru" - meaning "might as well start with a beer" - is a popular order. And when one person orders that... well, let's say going against the grain (in this case, hops) is not often done.
Well, at least 40% of the time, as shown in a study published earlier this year that shows most Japanese are giving a toast, clinking together their glasses that are filled not with sake - the Japanese rice wine that's becoming more and more popular outside of Japan - nor wine, but beer. Add to that 40% another 10% made up largely of wheat-based or soy-based "third category beer" and the nearly 20% "happo-shu" (which is simply low-malt beer) and you've got one big, beer drinking hoppy new year!
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