As Promised: Something About Beer Machines

The Japanese appear to like their beer. But perhaps no more so than any other beverage. They just happen to be very ingenious as well. In fact, anytime you're driving along in what feels like a remote, deserted part of Japan you're likely to find a vending machine on the side of the road within any 2-mile radius. There may be nothing else around it, so if it's snacks you want, you're out of luck. But soft drinks, beer or cigarettes are generally easily accessible. Just be sure to stand next to the machine, drink the entire beverage, and throw the empty can in the recyling bin located next to the machine...otherwise you'll be carrying your empty can around forever since there are no other public trash cans in Japan.

Japanese beverage ingenuity doesn't stop there, though. While eating at a shabu shabu (think healthy "Japanese fondue") restaurant with a large group, we discovered for a mere 1,000 yen more (less than $10), it was all-you-can-drink alcohol. It was then that our friends discovered the effortless beer machine shown here. Good for us lazy Americans I suppose.

Even though many of us didn't overindulge (none for me, I was driving), it was a great way for some to try different Japanese beverages such as various types of sake (brewed rice wine), or shochu (a distilled alcoholic beverage that can be made from rice, barley, potato, etc.) Shochu is served several ways, including diluted with hot water, or mixed with carbonated soda and citrus juice (usually lemon or grapefruit), at which point it is called chuhai.

Chuhai (or chuhi) is also available commercially prepared in cans...for the vending machines of course. Here's a homemade recipe for grapefruit chuhai passed on from a friend. But you'll have a hard time finding shochu if you're in the States--in a vending machine or otherwise. You can substitute vodka if you like. Or stick with Sapporo or Kirin beer. Either way, kampai ("cheers") and think of us!

Homemade Grapefruit Chuhai

Fill tall glass with ice.

Then add:

40% Shochu

40% grapefruit juice (either grapefruit mixer from a Japanese store or you can use frozen concentrate mixed double strength)

20% club soda

Juice of 1/2 of a fresh grapefruit

Juice of 1/2 of a fresh lemon