InsideJapan News Network

Japanese beer giant Sapporo Breweries has begun brewing what its calls the world's first "space beer".

The beer is brewed from a descendant of barley whose seeds were stored for five months on the International Space Station two years ago.

Japan Today reports Sapporo hopes to produce 100 litres of the beverage at its brewing plant in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo.

The business harvested 45 kilograms of the "space" barley in May this year.

Originally established in the second half of the 19th century, Sapporo beer has grown to be one of the leading brands on the Japanese market.

The company's website says the brewery's original production method and all-new pea protein ingredient has led to the growth of a "neo-alcohol culture" in the country.

From next year, Sapporo will become the first private firm in Japan to begin labelling its products with carbon footprint information, reports the Mainichi Daily News.