James Hatfield feels that Japan’s fake beer fascination is getting out of hand (Metropolis, November 18) and wonders what happens after the Malt is gone.

Sounds like he should blame the taxman if the Happoshu entry on Wikipedia is correct.

I learned from it that "Japan's alcohol tax system divides beer-like malt beverages into four categories based on malt content: 67% or higher, 50 to 67%, 25 to 50%, and less than 25%. An alcoholic beverage based on malt is classified as beer if the weight of malt extract exceeds 67% of the fermentable ingredients."

More puzzling for brew lovers, is the so-called 'Third Beer' category which in some cases contains no malt at all.

One example of the third rail is Sapporo Draft One which uses 'pea protein' instead of malt.

Taste can be thin some say.

Beer in name only for Tokyo Thursdays #166

Previously: Taeko, Grilled Eel, Beef Sukiyaki, Taste Japan in Marche des Enfants Rouges, Paris

(* Sapporo Draft One image via Beers of Japan Photo Gallery by Lyndon Hill)