Does the barley taste any different? Apparently, no. In fact, scientists have not found a difference in the genetic make-up of the earth-grown and space-grown barley yet, according to Manabu Sugimoto, an Okayama University biologist who has been part of a Russian project to investigate growth methods for edible plants in space. Bar crawlers will have to wait to get their hands on this enticing beverage, though. The company only has enough barley to make 100 bottles of beer this fall and they will not be sold commercially. It may be a while before the Sapporo brew hits taps, but when that day comes, one can only hope there are space nuts to go with it.
