Kerala is India's Tippler Country

I read in a bbc article that Keralans have the highest consumption of booze in India. The sale of alcohol is a strictly controlled state monopoly.  But the state alcohol shops are open long hours 7 days a week.  There is always a queue outside.  I have also seen quite a few "toddy huts" on my travels.  Toddy is the local homemade tipple. It is fermented coconut sap. They tap the tree trunk near the top and put a little pot to collect the sap.  In the early evening, they climb the tree to collect it. I don't think I shall bother trying it. 

Most of the restaurants along the beach have no licence to serve alcohol, but of course they all do.  I had my first dinner out this trip at at restaurant proudly calling itself "Kingfisher seafood corner" or something like that.  Kingfisher is the vast Indian brewery/airline company.  As I went in, the waiter pointed up to his sign and smiled. "Kingfisher" he said.  "I don't drink" said I, and not a single bolt came from the sky to smite me.  I meant, "I don't drink when I am on holiday in India" but that is just too many words.  As I took my seat he muttered "white wine"  in the same tone as those illegal money changers who accosted tourists in Prague back in the early 90's.  "I'll have a ginger lime soda please," I answered primly.  

The beer comes in enormous bottles - a litre I think.  It is served wrapped in newspaper and the glass comes in coffee mug.  When you have poured your beer, you have to put the bottle under the table.  The lady at the table next to me allowed me to take a photograph of hers.  Cheers.