Leave it up the Japanese with beverage innovation. Japan, well-known for their compact cars, animation, sushi, and now, kids beer. When I traveled to Tokyo, I saw thousands of salary men walking the streets of this eccentric city. They wake early in the morning, often commute three hours daily on the train, and work till the late night. After work, they go out and drink with their fellow co-workers. During their late night meal, they often complain about their day at work, get drunk, eat some robata (grilled skewers and escape the zombie-like routine of life. Now, it appears that salary men want to say “cheers” with their kids. Kids beer is a non-alcoholic drink meant for kids to take part in the drinking atmosphere.

I recently saw a bottle of kids bear at a novelty store in San Francisco on Taravel Street in the Sunset district. Each bottle cost around $3USD. Drinking beer is a symbol as a “right of passage” into the adult world. Kids should stick to drinking Mountain Dew and Coca-Cola.

Consultant hat.
Many food products fail in certain markets because the food company lacks the cultural knowledge of a country. If kids beer became a mainstream hit in the United States, I can imagine so many parents and consumer groups protesting.

Click here for the full article about Kidsbeer in Japan Times.