Japanese brewer hopes 'wobbly' beer glass will spur responsible drinking

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A craft beer producer based in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, is hoping that its unique U-shaped wobbly beer glass will promote responsible drinking habits. Yoho Brewing Co. has been selling the Wobbly Beer Glass since August as part of their efforts to encourage people to alternate between beer and water consumption.

The innovative glass is divided into two sections and is designed to tilt if beer and water are not consumed in a balanced manner. This feature is based on recommendations from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, which advises alternating alcoholic beverages with water to prevent intoxication.

The idea for the glass was inspired by concerns raised by a colleague who forgot to drink water while enjoying drinks with friends. Kyoko Kitano, the employee responsible for developing the glass, worked on the project alongside a team for about eight months, creating seven prototypes to perfect a design that would not cause spills.

Kitano expressed her hope that the Wobbly Beer Glass would help spread healthier drinking habits. Since 2015, Yoho Brewing has focused on producing lower-alcohol beer and curbing alcohol-serving hours at outdoor events. Moe Sakai, the company's public relations representative, emphasized the importance of continuing to consider responsible drinking practices within the beer industry.