Brewing Beer for Barack

Obamamania has intoxicated many of America's primary and caucus goers, but in Kenya, it has been elevated to a higher level - 6% alcohol content to be exact - in what is now the hottest selling item in the country. Senator Beer. The fascination of Kenyans in seeing one of their own battle it out for the Democratic Presidential Nomination against a formidable rival in the person of Hillary Clinton, has generated tremendous interest in the country as well as in other parts of the world.

Barack Obama has consistently drawn big crowds at his rallies and has received massive funding support through small donations, a lot of them through the internet; and is now poised to being the candidate of the masses. This growing popularity, embraced mostly by the younger voters who provide much of the excitement and the hoopla about Obama, has been called "Obamamania". The mania's counterpart in Kenya is in a brown bottle that is served in jugs. Obama'a father is from Kenya, which is why the citizens of the country identify with the Illinois Senator and have made him their role model.

In depressed areas of Kenya, people drink cheap brews which are sometimes spiked with traditional spirits, that have on some occasions proved lethal. An enterprising brewer (East African Breweries Ltd) took note of the fame generated by Obama and introduced a cheap brew that was safe and lower in alcohol content. Kenyan beer normally have as much as 40% alcohol. The brewery's low alcohol lager effort is "Senator Keg" beer that patrons simply refer to as "Obama". The depressed economy has made beer drinkers switch to cheaper beer, and what better way to pass the time talking about politics and life itself, than a glass of Obama. Raising a glass of Obama apparently raises their hopes too.

The brewery was smart enough to avoid using Barack, so as not to encourage lawsuits nor be accused of disrespect to the Senator. Fears of encouraging alcoholism because of its low price is being disputed by its low alcohol, which brewers contend is supportive of responsible consumption. Kenyans can therefore get tipsy on Obama, and can still grow up as responsible citizens - much like their idol's experiments with substances. Whatever Obama says in speeches, you can expect Kenyans hearing it on radio or watching on TV to say, "I'll drink to that".

The whole country may even out drink Germany where beer is concerned should Obama win the Presidency. It could also start exporting the product while he remains hot in the American media, and may well be its number one US export! They can then create a high end brand called "President Dark Beer" in time for the Inauguration! Pale pilsen would not be a hot selling product line though. But the possibility of a whole generation of Kenyans and even Americans getting a little high on Senator Beer or President Dark Beer has tremendous commercial potential.

However, should he fail to win the Presidency, or even the Democratic Party's nomination, he could always encourage his father's countrymen to create another product. He can call it "Barack's Brewed Beer", like its namesake, it's all foam - no beer.

Haarrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!

Basic information from an article by Tom Oladipo
BBC News, Nairobi