Bali brewers bet that booze ban will go flat

Jakarta

SINGARAJA in northern Bali used to be the island's capital during the days of the Dutch colonialists. If Bona Budhisuraya and his fellow investors have their way, it will be again - this time for beer.

Last week, Mr Budhisurya and his brother-in-law, Jacob Suryanata, launched their Stark craft beer brand. The brew is the result of six years of tinkering as well as trial and error at their brewery about three hours drive from the trendy haunts and beaches in the south. One lesson? If you are going to transport beer to thirsty tourists over long distances in a tropical climate, you had better use a refrigerated truck.