Space suds: Japanese beer brewed from barley grown in space

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By Martha Kang

Summary

If barley grows in space and no one is around to eat it, then what becomes of it? Answer: space beer that sells for an out-of-this-world price, according to SAPPORO Breweries, Ltd.

Story Created: Dec 9, 2009 at 8:32 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 9, 2009 at 10:34 PM MDT

Space suds: Japanese beer brewed from barley grown in space
SEATTLE -- If barley grows in space and no one is around to eat it, then what becomes of it?

Answer: space beer that's priced to sell at an out-of-this-world price, according to SAPPORO Breweries, Ltd.

The Japanese brewery has introduced Space Barley, a beer brewed from seedlings of barleycorn that have spent five months in space. That's right. Those little guys have been to space and back, and seen more than most of us ever will.

The seedlings were kept inside the Russian Research Modules of the International Space Station before they were brought back to Earth and harvested in May. The well-traveled seedlings used in Space Barley is the fourth generation of the space-grown strain, according to SAPPORO.

Got a taste for the space brew? Might as well shoot for the moon. The company said it only brewed 100 liters (slightly more than 211 pints) of Space Barley, and most of it will be used for research.

There are some for sale, however -- 250 six-packs with a one-pack limit per person. Each six-pack is priced at 10,000 yen, or about $113.

But it will take more than a big splurge for Americans to get their hands on a cold one. Those interested in purchasing a six-pack must first apply to be included in a special lottery drawing. Only the winners will be given the chance to shell out roughly $27 per pint of the space ale.

And there's one last limitation, an especially bitter one for Americans. SAPPORO has limited purchase to applicants living in Japan.

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