Bali governor issues new decree to promote traditional liquor

Arak Bali (left) and Brem (right), Balinese traditional liquors, are produced by Bali Dewi Sri. The products have long been sold in Bali and other countries. Bali Governor Wayan Koster plans to make the liquors legally regulated products. (Handout/Dewi Sri)

JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/ANN): Bali Governor Wayan Koster has issued a gubernatorial decree regulating the province's traditional liquors in a bid to preserve and promote the drinks in the region.

Wayan said that the decree on traditional Balinese fermented and distilled drinks, ratified on Jan 29, would promote local liquors such as arak, tuak -- both distilled from coconut palm flowers -- and brem, a traditional rice wine, as part of the region’s many unique cultural traits.