December 23, 2014

Belgian Beer Company Innovates to Save Old Facility

Unlocking Word Meanings
 今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. brew /bru/ (n.) – to produce beer
Example: My father knows how to brew beer.

2. impractical /ɪmˈpræk tɪ kəl/ (adj.) – not appropriate or reasonable to a specific situation
Example: The company realized that closing its biggest factory is quite impractical.

3. relocate /riˈloʊ keɪt, ˌri loʊˈkeɪt/ (v.) – to transfer to a different place
Example: We decided to relocate our company’s production to a bigger facility.

4. pipeline /ˈpaɪpˌlaɪn/ (n.) – a series of connected pipes where gas and liquid can be transported from one place to another
Example: The underground pipeline helps transport water throughout the community.

5. historic /hɪˈstɔr ɪk, -ˈstɒr-/ (adj.) – has historical importance
Example: We celebrate this historic event every year.


Article
 ニュース記事

Read the text below.
A famous brewery in Belgium has found a way to improve its process of transporting beer products to the new processing plant without using transport trucks.

The De Halve Maan [de HAL-ve muhn] (DHM) brewery is famous for its beer products. The company is known for Brugse Zot [BRIG-ze zot] and Straffe Hendrik [STRUH-fe HEN-drik], which are both brewed traditionally. Aside from its beers, DHM is also famous for its 500-year-old brewing facility.

A new filtering and bottling plant built three kilometers away from the brewing facility requires beer products to be carried by trucks from the brewery to the new plant. The company has realized that this process is quite impractical because of the added fuel and maintenance costs.

In order to keep its original facility, DHM decided not to relocate its brewing operations and instead, build an underground pipeline connecting both the brewing facility and the bottling plant. Once finished, the pipelines will replace the beer trucks.

This development emphasizes how DHM values the old brewing facility, as it is the only brewery left in Bruges, Belgium. Because of its historic quality, the brewing facility attracts about 100,000 visitors every year.

The brewery has its own museum that showcases the traditional way of brewing beer. Tour guides assist visitors in touring the whole facility which lasts for 45 minutes. The tour package, which currently costs €7.50 (or around $9.60), also comes with beer-tasting opportunities.

Viewpoint Discussion
 ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         How do you find the innovation done by the Belgian beer company?
·         Do you agree with their decision to keep the historic facility? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         Why is it important to preserve old buildings and establishments?
·         What establishments in your country are considered historic? Please tell your tutor about it.