thanks bridget,
i think i overlooked that one. "osake" can also be used to mean nihonshu in a comparative situation.
bridget, was this used mostly by shop staff to customers?
i can't recall anyone saying it within a group off hand.
by the way (BTW) "obi-ru" always sounds funny to me.
just thought of another slip.
don't award yourself the "san" title when talking to someone japanese (except - maybe -in an obviously humourous way).
other people award titles to you.