BEER

“We’ll start with beer!” is a common saying among Japanese when they arrive at an Izakaya (gastropub). Beer is probably the most preferred alcoholic beverage in Japan like many other counties although there are some differences such as the predominance of canned beer over bottled beer and low-temperature-conditioned lagers over warm-fermented ales. When you order a jug of draft beer in Japan, don’t get angry if the top few centimeters of the jug are filled with foam. The foam acts like a lid to prevent the beer from losing its flavor and fizz. It is a gesture of omotenashi, wanting you to enjoy the beer at its best.