Yes, I Will Sell My Soul For a Freebee

In an interesting development in Japan (where they have all the cool stuff), vending machines will start to give out drinks for free(as in beer), but not as in free beer. If you get my drift. Watch the 30 second adverstiment, get a free drink. Watch the 30 second advertisment, get a free drink. Rinse. Repeat.

Thirsty Japanese will soon be able to drink coffee or other non-alcoholic beverages at a low price or even for free -- as long as they watch a 30-second advertisement on the vending machines.

Vending machine operator Apex Corp. will start a service next month to turn its machines into a new medium for advertisers, who will pick up the partial or full cost of drinks.

If only this worked on my TV at home. I watch a lot of commericals and I'm always thirsty. Genius!
(via the Khaleej Times)Watch ads and drink for free in Japan
(found on Engadget)

Don't Freak Out, It's Not Beer Going To Waste

So, us here at CB HQ freaked out a little bit when we read the title of this article. We usually only like our beer turned into energy inside our bodies. However, our fears were calmed as we learned the real story. Scientists have created a fuel cell that takes waste from the brewery and turns it into electricity and it's byproduct - clean water. Sounds like a win-win situation to us.

The battery produces electricity plus clean water, said Prof. Jurg Keller, the university's wastewater expert.

The complex technology harnesses the chemical energy that the bacteria releases from the organic material, converting it into electrical energy.

By the way, this is the Foster's plant. Which apparently, they brew in Australia, who knew?
(from physorg)Beer Maker, Scientists to Create Energy
(via Endagadget)Foster's to aid in first "beer battery" fuel cell project