ON THE SUBJECT OF BEER

Deciding which beer to order in Indonesia is a painless process.That's because nine out ten you only have one choice which is Bintang beer. Bintang mean star. Unless you have terrible eyesight or dead drunk, you can't miss the picture of red star on the label. No, it is not Russian beer, it is a Pilsener beer. There is another brand called Achor or Anker (I guess it's Dutch). I am not a beer connoisseur, so I can't tell you which is worse.

Read somewhere that few years ago it won Gold Medal in some International  beer competition as the best in something.  Well, you will be the judge. If the taste resemble Heineken it should not come as a surprise because it was run by Heineken before it was taken over by God knows who. As it is now, Heineken is the largest share holder (I wish I was).

In average it costs about 30 thousand rupiah for a big bottle (cheaper by the shipload). It also comes in smaller bottle  and can. It costs more if you sit in slightly darkened room surrounded by strange women who talk funny and listening to restless native music. At least that what I've heard.

Getting a cold beer at some places in Indonesia can be a challenge. Some people here do some disgusting things like having beer on the rocks. I just like you to know that ice cubes here don't come from spring water in Alps Mountain or Antartic. So do not say that I did not remind you.

While we are at alcoholic subject, I need to remind you that at some places in Indonesia some locals produce their own brew. Some more lethal than others. If I were you I would keep them at good distance. Life is hard as it is.