From that time on the King can save the life and the fortune of his people, and the beer becomes the national drink. The king offers the beer to his enemies and he is able to bring peace and prosperity to his country. It is interesting to note that it is Wiske, the girl who brews the beer, and not Suske, the boy. Brewing used to be one of the natural chores for women.
Another popular comic series, starting after WW II, is "Nero", a freethinking fellow, that lives through an adventure every three months. In one of these adventures he discovers a river of beer in Africa, where he has to chase the hippopotamuses out of "his" beer!

Beer, as the national drink of Belgium, but also other alcoholic beverages like wine and whisky, are featured in many other Belgian comics. Belgians and Europeans in general have a more healthy positive approach towards alcohol consumption. In moderation that is. Don't get me wrong. Excessive drunkenness on a regular basis, and drinking under influence are not accepted.

Comics were an exclusive American product until WW II in continental Europe. It was only during and after the war that the Belgian drawers got their chance. Although the comics were created for the children, in 1947 we can see for the first time beer playing an important role in one of the stories of "Suske and Wiske", the most popular comic series in Flanders. The title of the story is "the King drinks!" After going through different adventures, Wiske, the girl, brews a beer to save the life of the dying King, who suffers from a dry liver.
(Newsletter February 1997)