Merisa, merissa or marissa (Arabic: مريسة) is a traditional fermented beverage popular in South Sudan.
[1] Merisa is made by brewing dates, millet and sorghum.
The brewing process has been described as complex by Western beer making standards with over a dozen steps.
[2] Merisa has an 8-10 hour fermentation process and has an alcohol content of up to 6%.
[3] It is illegal to drink or sell Marissa in Northern Sudan under Muslim Sharia laws, under penalty of 40 lashes, fines and imprisonment.