North Koreas latest launch, beer
 

Odd bit of news perhaps, at least its not about more missiles.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8132199.stm

North Korea's latest launch is not missiles, but a TV advertising campaign for a locally-brewed beer.

In a rare nod to commercial motives in the resolutely communist nation, the TV advert features a thirsty worker holding a mug of frothy beer.

Young women in traditional Korean dress are shown serving trays of beer to men in Western suits.

Billed as the "Pride of Pyongyang", the advert promises drinkers that the beer will help ease stress.

"It represents the new look of Pyongyang," the two-and-a-half minute advert says. "It will be a familiar part of our lives."

Taedonggang Beer Factory has been making the brew since buying a British brewery and shipping it lock, stock and barrel from the UK in 2002.

The beer has been occasionally available in South Korea and is said to be of high quality.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, said to have a fondness for fine wines and brandy, has taken a personal interest in the brewery.

"Watching good quality beer coming out in an uninterrupted flow for a long while, he noted with great pleasure that it has now become possible to supply more fresh beer to people in all seasons," North Korea's state news agency, KCNA, said after he visited the brewery in 2002.

British salesman talking about the deal

On the subject of beer, i've been drinking too much of the stuff since i've been in Japan, early signs of a beer belly, i must stop week day beers.

Re: North Koreas latest launch, beer
 

Euh ok. Beer which needs government help to get sold, that's just weird. :D

Re: North Koreas latest launch, beer
 

A beer a day has been shown to reduce beer guts, and dark beer has plenty of health benefits. I would recommend enjoying a nice stout at least once a day, and just stop the binge drinking.

If you can afford to drink a case of beer in one sitting, you should be drinking better beer.

Re: North Koreas latest launch, beer
 

How does it need government help?

Re: North Koreas latest launch, beer
 

Indeed. It says nothing about help, just sorta ran by chilly Illy there.

Re: North Koreas latest launch, beer
 

Oh, I thought the ad campaign was launched by the government.

So let's rephrase: A country where beer needs advertizing to sell. That's just weird. :p

Re: North Koreas latest launch, beer
 

I think the weirder thing is that they're advertising even though there aren't any other brands.

Re: North Koreas latest launch, beer
 

What?

Where are you crazy people getting your info.
First it needs government help, now it's the only beer?

There are other brands - barring being completely blind.
It's their first TV Beer commercial.

Re: North Koreas latest launch, beer
 

I have a feeling North Korea beer isn't great, but maybe I'm judging too soon..

Re: North Koreas latest launch, beer
 

You can taste the oppression.

Re: North Koreas latest launch, beer
 

I didn't really think there would be any other breweries in North Korea. And importing beer? I don't know..

To be honest, I don't know much about North Korea.

Re: North Koreas latest launch, beer
 

North Korea Imperial Oppression Stout. Sounds intimidating and delicious.