[release][h2]Russia classifies beer as alcoholic[/h2]
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a bill that officially classifies beer as alcoholic.
Until now anything containing less than 10% alcohol in Russia has been considered a foodstuff.
The move, signed into law on Wednesday, will allow ministers to control the sale of beer in the same way that spirits are controlled.
Russian alcohol consumption is already twice the critical level set by the World Health Organization.
Although vodka has long been the traditional tipple in Russia, beer has soared in popularity, being marketed as a healthier alternative to spirits.
Over the past decade, beer sales in Russia have risen more than 40% while vodka sales have fallen by nearly 30%.
Correspondents say it is common to see people swigging beer in the street and in parks as if they are drinking soft drinks.
It is not restricted to certain stores and is sold around the clock.
"The law brings some order into the sale of beer," Vadim Drobiz, director of the Centre for Federal and Regional Alcohol Market Studies, told US broadcaster Bloomberg.
Last year the Russian beer industry was hit by a 200% tax hike on its products as ministers sought to bring consumption under control.
The new measures - which come into effect in 2013 - will stop alcohol being sold in unlicensed kiosks, ban its sale from stores between certain hours and restrict its advertising.
In 2009 President Medvedev ordered the government to prepare draft laws on a package of measures to counter growing alcohol abuse.
Source: [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14232970[/url]
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Beer is alcoholic? Nonsense, I say. I thought it was more like some sort of sports drink, or something.
The joke here is that most alcoholic drinks are so strong in Russia that beer is basically water.
Amazing discovery Russia
stay classy
Hang on. So if you tried to sell non alcoholic beer there before, it would have been the same?
I think I remember reading an article that said the majority of deaths in Russia are from alcohol abuse.
I'm glad to see their government is taking steps towards educating the public
[editline]21st July 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=Nikota;31254001]Hang on. So if you tried to sell non alcoholic beer there before, it would have been the same?[/QUOTE]
Any product with an alcoholic content less than 10%, meaning non-alcoholic beer, alcoholic beer, even stronger malt liquors
If it wasn't considered alcoholic, does that mean it wasn't restricted to minors? Sorry if that's a dumb question.
[QUOTE=Shoupie;31254095]If it wasn't considered alcoholic, does that mean it wasn't restricted to minors? Sorry if that's a dumb question.[/QUOTE]
When I was visiting a while ago, my friends there got a few cans of beer and packets of cigarettes from a kiosk, despite being blatantly 12 years old and still wearing their school bags (this was just after school ended and everyone was going home).
I don't think anyone cares about those sorts of things.
[QUOTE=Shoupie;31254095]If it wasn't considered alcoholic, does that mean it wasn't restricted to minors? Sorry if that's a dumb question.[/QUOTE]
it was restricted
kvass isn't though... which is like 1-2% alcohol.
source? I know russians.
[QUOTE=Shoupie;31254095]If it wasn't considered alcoholic, does that mean it wasn't restricted to minors? Sorry if that's a dumb question.[/QUOTE]
It would have been sold as a foodstuff, so no. The drinking age in Russia is 18. Though, I'm sure some stores had policies restricting the sale of beer to minors.
[QUOTE=trotskygrad;31254171]it was restricted
kvass isn't though... which is like 1-2% alcohol.
source? I know russians.[/QUOTE]
Would be rather disappointing if kvass was restricted as well.
[QUOTE=Biotoxsin;31254184]It would have been sold as a foodstuff, so no. The drinking age in Russia is 18. Though, I'm sure some stores had policies restricting the sale of beer to minors.[/QUOTE]
I'm pretty sure that sale of beer was simply restricted on age, while still being considered a foodstuff for all other purposes.
Don't make me go poke people on vkontakte about this
god damn it russia get your shit together
[editline]21st July 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=Uber|nooB;31254185]Would be rather disappointing if kvass was restricted as well.[/QUOTE]
Kvass isn't restricted here, and you need to be 18 to buy beer, so I don't think so.
[QUOTE=Paravin;31254438]god damn it russia get your shit together
[editline]21st July 2011[/editline]
Kvass isn't restricted here, and you need to be 18 to buy beer, so I don't think so.[/QUOTE]
Gotta love Kvass :D
poles hate it though, :<
Kvass is a godly drink, much better than any soft drink imo.
make it yourself, even tastier
Russians won't drink anything <10% anyway.
[QUOTE=Itsjustguy;31255150]Gotta love Kvass :D[/QUOTE]
I have been to Lithuania just a week ago, like many times before.
Kvass is amazing drink. I prefer it to any soda.
I just pictured angry Russian children going around slapping women.
[QUOTE=J!NX;31253757]The joke here is that most alcoholic drinks are so strong in Russia that beer is basically water.[/QUOTE]
I bet they can't handle ryncol though.
My blood runs on 1-2% alcoholic drinks.
[QUOTE=J!NX;31253757]The joke here is that most alcoholic drinks are so strong in Russia that beer is basically water.[/QUOTE]
Then water is air and they are all fish.
Kvass is the pinnacle of consumable liquids.
[QUOTE=Fedly;31256692]Kvass is the pinnacle of consumable liquids.[/QUOTE]
Drink for your health.
[QUOTE=Fedly;31256692]Kvass is the pinnacle of consumable liquids.[/QUOTE]
[quote][img]http://friedneckbones.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/kvass1.jpg[/img][/quote]
I don't care how alcoholic that may be, that looks better than amazing.
[QUOTE=J!NX;31257431]I don't care how alcoholic that may be, that looks better than amazing.[/QUOTE]
It is.
[QUOTE=J!NX;31257431]I don't care how alcoholic that may be, that looks better than amazing.[/QUOTE]
Mmmmmm.
Beer is packed will calories, it will make you a fatass.
Jesus christ, 9% beer is fucking strong, must be like water to them, and they allow kids to drink that shit?
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