For decades, Japan has been leading the way in envisioning how living in space will bring about technological advances to society, you've seen them all: space colonies, giant robots, super humans resulting from living in zero gravity and Im sure even yaoi is in there somewhere. Well, now we're one step closer.

Sapporo, one of Japan's oldest breweries, has accomplished a breakthrough in the  field of making intoxicating beverages: they've made beer---- IN SPACE! Reuters reports that after a five-month mission, barley grown on the International Space Station has been successfully turned into beer with a space alliance between Sapporo, Russian Academy of Science, and Okayama University.

Sadly, the special beer isn't for sale (sorry, Dale) but are offering up a lottery to the public for the taste of the magical space beer. Now, they're speculating of making rice wine next, which gets me thinking of Sake Bombs... IN SPACE!!!!

Would you try such a drink? Assuming you are over 21 (or 20 in Japan), of course.

 [Via Reuters and Telegraph UK]