ONCE again, San Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMB) rolls out the stage for San Miguel Beer National Beer-Drinking Contest.

        The biggest and the most prestigious event is expected to yield the five-man team of challengers who can break last year’s record of 47.9 seconds garnered by the team from Bacolod City .

        In the Bicol Region, the beer-drinking competitions will be held in Plaza Quezon, Naga City on October 2, 2009 and at the Brickyard Area (in front of Central Plaza Mall) in Daet, Camarines Norte on October 3. On October 10, 2009, SMB will hold its Oktoberfest 2009 at the Brickyard Area.

        SMB sales team headed by national sales manager Debbie D. Namalata has formally signaled the start of the half-a-million-peso contest highlighting the 10th year of the company’s national beer-drinking contest.

        Namalata said the contest is one of the SMB’s ways of cheering up and making livelier its tradition of contributing to the enjoyment of life – which includes extending financial rewards to San Miguel Beer patrons – by way of the contest which is open to group of friends.

        This year, the top three teams will bring home tax-free cash prizes of P500,000, P200,000 and P100,000. Non-winning teams will also receive cash prizes and premium items.

        Other than the big cash prizes, competing teams will also earn recognition as representatives of their respective regions. At this early, event followers are already showing excitement as to who will dominate in the forthcoming competition.

        For two consecutive years, contestants coming from the Visayas are holding the championship title.

        “The SMB National Beer Drinking Contest is more than just a beer-drinking competition. It is an activity that requires every participant to actively perform strategic thinking, tactical moves, sportsmanship and most of all, teamwork,” Namalata said.

        The event is now extended to more SMB patrons nationwide expecting to surpass last year’s 60 participating teams of 300,000 beer drinkers.

        “As we celebrate a decade of merriment brought by the SMB National Beer-Drinking Contest, we feel proud to toast with the Filipino people and beer lovers from other countries who enjoy our very own San Miguel Beer as a world-class beer,” she added.

        Raising the fun ante, SMB has added three pocket contests. In this year’s tryouts, the floor will, therefore, be open to the all-female, all-foreigner and the multi-brand groups.

        Ongoing until September 30, tryouts are conducted in various bars and restaurants as well as in SMB’s special events and street parties nationwide. The teams that will reign in tryouts will advance to the Area Finals and to the National Grand Finals which will be held in October.

         Interested parties may call 632-BEER or visit www.btakesyoutothephilippines. com.ph. Inquiries are also accepted in nearest SMB sales office.