Sapporo Holdings, Japan’s major beer maker, plans to brew what it described as the world’s first “space beer”. It is made from grain descended from barley grown in the Russian unit of the International Space Station in 2006.
“By pursuing the infinite possibility that space has, we wish to present our customers with rich and enjoyable proposals to enjoy a new beer culture,” Sapporo said in a statement.
Sapporo plans to launch the beer in November, saying it would produce 630 litres of beer, or around 1,110 pints, and another 100 litres of barley tea. This will be in collaboration with scientists from Japan’s Okayama University.
The project is part of an initiative to prepare for a future in which humans spend extended periods of time in space.
“We believe alcohol will make the lives of our customers rich and enjoyable,” Sapporo said in the statement.
The brew, however, will not be available for sale, but the company said some consumers would be given a chance to try it.