Jan: By default? I'm not sure what you mean.

These items are mini-insulators designed to keep beer bottles cold in the Brazilian heat -- a fetish for many Brazilians. Many bar refrigerators have digital readouts to show that they are maintained at approximately minus 2 celsius, or just above beer's freezing point. These plastic babies are provided by the beer companies--much like coasters in Europe or, indeed, beer glasses themselves in Belgium.

Are those default items too?

By the way, I enjoy your site and your insight.

Hei Rob,

It's a post about what comes as standard. In Brazil its a beer wrapper to keep the bottle cooler longer (the wrapper happens to have advertising, and yes in Germany or France you're more likely to get a coaster. Simple observations really.

Thanks for dropping by. I'm looking forward to reading your book which is on my work reading list. I've got a day in Sao Paulo on the way back to Tokyo - anything you would recommend doing there?