Japanese Beer Company Releases Beer for Kids
Can you imagine these products being marketed overseas? With so much concern about “the children†these days we doubt that fake beer for kids would make it past the pitch stage at any beverage company. Well, almost any company.
Sure, there’s the sparkling grape juice that kids sometimes get on New Years Eve in lieu of champagne, but to have it specifically marketed to kids is a different matter.
While Americans would likely overreact and freak out, we haven’t seen any such reaction here in Japan and these drinks have been out for a couple of years now.
Sangaria started their line of fake alcoholic drinks for kids with Kodomo no nomimono (Children’s drink), and has been successful enough to offer it in bottles, cans, and even six-packs. They also expanded the product line to include children’s versions of wine, champagne, and cocktails. The beer, flavored like apple juice, even foams at the top when poured into a glass!
The differences between the West and Japan are often highlighted the most in the little things in life, and this is definitely one of them. Japan is well known for its group drinking culture, and this is actually a great way to include the kids during family celebrations.
These are even sold at restaurants, which is ideal since most parties in Japan are done outside of the home. Of course, if find your four-year-old passed out in front of the TV with a pile of empty fake beer cans around him, it might be time for a kodomo no intervention.
By Sirius on 31-05-2007
Comment by terese
May 31st, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Wow. Yah…Americans would freak at the idea of their children drinking ‘fake’ alcholic bevrages. Actually I think it’s a good idea. Not really necessary,but intresting.
Comment by Shimannee
July 20th, 2007 at 5:34 am
ROFL that was a nice joke at the end, i actually laugh aloud(rare for something on the internet)
Comment by Heather
July 21st, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Lol.
Comment by Trish
August 15th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Honestly, I think this is a really good idea. Stop making it a taboo and it becomes less appealing.
Comment by Ice Cucumber
September 9th, 2007 at 10:16 am
This is great! I buy it when I want to have a night with the boys. What is funny are the little fliers you may find on tables in establishments that serve the beverage. It is an image of a a little girl and (drunk) little boy at a stall where the little boy i stooped over, asking for another drink. The little girl says “Oni-san, you’ve had enough”
Comment by Citteh
September 9th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Haha see this is so cool but it is one of those thing where people would be all uptight dorks. Thank goodness none of the comments above are one of these people.
I want these. :3
Comment by sara
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Honestly, I think this is a really good idea. Stop making it a taboo and it becomes less appealing.
Yeah that really worked with cigarettes. We just made candy cigarettes and posted models on billboards smoking. Voila everyone became bored of it. Not saying this is a horrible thing but honestly I have my doubts it will make it less appealing.
Comment by tissue
July 31st, 2008 at 5:57 pm
They give me these things to drink when we’re at lab parties cuz I can’t hold my alcohol well. It’s pretty funny.
Comment by Loud Shirt Chip
July 19th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Great points, I had my candy cig's as a kid. It made it, been there, done that, didn't feel the need to graduate to smoking them… I'll be passing this one on for sure. The video is hilarious.
http://www.BestLoudShirts.com
Comment by Nooooo
November 16th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
i drink it daily…. its so good
Comment by Yehezkiel
February 7th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Great! now i could teach my son how to be a drunker from the early age… LOL