Apparently the latest (or soon to be latest) thing in Japan is hot beer:
http://www.peterpayne.net/2008/01/latest-cool-thing-in-japan-hot-beer.html
Now, initially, my reaction was “eh?” but after thinking about it I’m intrigued and reckon it could be quite nice. Don’t imagine it would work with lagers or pale ales but something strong and dark like the stout pictured might lend itself well to a little bit of heating up.