Asahi employs a robot barman

Fans of Japanese beer, who are not too bothered about conversing with the bar staff, will be pleased by the news that Asahi is sending their robotic barman, Mr Asahi, on a nationwide tour.

Mr Asahi is a product of animatronics technology, in which compressed air and valves are controlled via a PC. Mr Asahi recently visited Dublin and Belfast and was in Chester this week. He will be in Liverpool over the weekend and in Durham and Sheffield next week. He will be serving draught beer because he hasn’t quite yet mastered the art of bottle opening. He has also not been known to ask for tips or complain about his working hours.

Asahi began in 1892. It was started by the Osaki brewing company. Asahi Breweries Ltd itself started in 1949. It has always prided itself on technological innovation and won an award in 1979 for its introduction to the market of Japan’s first beer to be held in a small aluminium keg. Asahi is Japanese for ‘rising sun’, making Mr Asahi a symbol of spirit, hope and inspiration.

www.asahibeer.co.uk

22 May 2009