Chinese Beer Drinking Culture: What's Their Favorite Brew?

China has a strong drinking culture that has lasted centuries. In fact, alcohol intake per head has increased by 70% since 1990. Beer in China was the dominant alcoholic beverage through the Han dynasty, after which it was replaced by rice wine. Modern brewing appeared in the late 1800s, brought to China by Europeans who brewed pale lagers. In the 21st century, China became the world's largest consumer of beer, and the best-selling beer in the world is Chinese – Snow.

The best-selling beer in China is Snow Beer, which is also the world's best-selling beer

China has a strong drinking culture that has lasted for centuries. The country has a rich and complex history with alcohol, with long-established traditions and etiquette when it comes to alcohol consumption. This form of consumption is usually social or celebratory and has historically been an integral part of Chinese culture.

Snow Beer has achieved its top position in the market by investing in and partnering with other beer giants, including Heineken, Busch, and Budweiser. By 2016, SABMiller owned 49% of Snow Beer, and in 2018, Heineken signed an agreement with China Resources Enterprises to purchase a 40% stake in the company. This has helped Snow Beer expand its reach and increase its sales.

In addition to being the best-selling beer in China, Snow Beer is known for its complexity and unique taste. It is one of the lightest beers in the world, making it a popular choice for Chinese consumers who want to drink high quantities of beer while eating, at clubs, or singing karaoke. The light and refreshing nature of Snow Beer has contributed to its success in the Chinese market.

Snow Beer has a long and interesting history, dating back to 1934 when Manchuria Beer and Kirin Beer jointly established a brewery in Shenyang. The brewery changed hands over the years, and in 1997, it was acquired by China Resources Enterprise as part of the Huarun Snow Beer Company. Despite being largely sold only in China, Snow Beer has become the world's best-selling beer brand, showcasing the immense popularity of this beverage in the country.

Tsingtao Beer is China's second-biggest brewery and the fifth most popular beer brand globally

China has a strong drinking culture that has lasted for centuries. The country has a rich and complex history with alcohol, with long-established traditions and etiquette when it comes to alcohol consumption. Beer is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in China, with hundreds of domestic brands and a few large breweries.

Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd. is China's second-largest brewery, with about a 15% domestic market share, and it also accounts for half of China's national beer exports. The brewery was founded in 1903 as an Anglo-German business, with German master brewers supervising the operations in Tsingtao (modern-day Qingdao). After various changes in ownership, the company was privatised in the early 1990s and has since become a prominent player in the beer market.

Tsingtao offers a wide range of beers, from lagers to stouts and IPAs, with over 15 different kinds. The brand is well-known for its flagship brew, a well-hopped standard pale lager with 4.7% ABV, which accounts for most of the brewery's production. Additionally, they produce several other varieties, such as Tsingtao Dark Beer (5.2% ABV) and Tsingtao Spirulina Green Beer (4.5% ABV).

Tsingtao Brewery has a significant global presence, with its beer sold in 62 countries and regions worldwide. In 2021, the company reported annual sales of 7.93 billion litres, and its revenue and net profit grew by 8.7% and 43.3% year on year, respectively. Tsingtao has won numerous gold medals in international competitions and is considered a top-selling Chinese beer brand globally.

Tsingtao Beer is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and has become synonymous with a good time. Its quality, taste, and variety have contributed to its popularity, not only in China but also internationally. With its long history, award-winning brews, and innovative spirit, Tsingtao Brewery continues to be a leading brand in the highly competitive beer market.

Yanjing Beer is the third-largest brewery in China and the official state-sponsored beer in Beijing

China has a rich and complex history with alcohol, with drinking being a social and celebratory activity that has been integral to Chinese culture for centuries. There are hundreds of beer brands in China, and the country's immense population has helped propel Chinese beers to some of the most popular brands worldwide. However, few people outside of China know about these brands.

Yanjing Beer is one of the most popular beers in China. It is a light lager with a clean, smooth, and refreshing taste. The beer is made from high-quality malt, selected rice, the best aromatic hops, and pure natural fountain water from the Beijing YanShan Mountain. Yanjing Beer is produced by the Beijing Yanjing Brewery, which was founded in Beijing, China, in 1980. The company produced 57.1 million hectoliters of beer in 2013, making it the third-largest brewery in China and the eighth-largest in the world.

Yanjing Beer has become the official state-sponsored beer in Beijing. It was designated as the official beer served at state banquets in the Great Hall of the People in 1995. Any event or restaurant within China's capital will host many Yanjing options. The brand has also gained international recognition and is known as "the real taste of China". Yanjing Beer was one of the official beer sponsors of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, a privilege reserved only for top-tier beers.

The Beijing Yanjing Beer Group Corporation, with its quality beer and first-class beverage products, has developed and expanded since its founding. In 1997, it completed a shareholding restructuring process, pooling its funds to establish Beijing Yanjing Beer Co., Ltd., which ranks first in total output and profit in China's beer industry.

Harbin Beer is China's oldest brewery, founded by a Polish settler in the 1900s

Harbin Brewery is one of the earliest beer manufacturers and brands in China, making it popular throughout the country. It is also one of the most successful domestic beer brands in China. Harbin Beer is a 4.8% ABV pale lager. It uses European and Chinese "Qindao Dahua" hops, two-row malt, and German yeast. The beer has a distinctive refreshing European flavour and is best served cold.

The brand is now under the Anheuser-Busch umbrella, propelling its popularity and availability worldwide. Harbin beer is sold in almost every province in China, except Tibet, and is exported to over 30 countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, Russia, and South Korea. The company has increased its annual beer production capacity to over 1 million tons and has become a giant in China's beer industry.

In 2002, Harbin beer was designated as "China's famous brand product" by the national authorities. The Harbin International Beer Festival, held annually in the city of Harbin, has garnered interest from around the world due to its blend of tradition and modernity, passion and romance.

Wusu Beer is the most popular beer to originate from Xinjiang and is known for its red packaging

China has a rich and complex history with alcohol, with drinking often being a social or celebratory activity. In fact, the famous Chinese proverb, "酒逢知己千杯少" (jiǔ féng zhījǐ qiān bēi shǎo), which translates to "with a close friend, a thousand cups of wine is far too little", reflects the importance of drinking in forming and maintaining social relationships.

Beer, in particular, has been consumed in China for around nine thousand years, with archaeological findings showing that villagers were brewing beer-type drinks as far back as 7000 BC. While beer was the dominant alcoholic beverage through the Han dynasty, it was later overshadowed by rice wine. However, in the 21st century, China became the world's largest consumer of beer once again.

One of the most popular beers in China is Wusu Beer, which originated in Xinjiang in the 1980s. Wusu Beer stands out for its iconic red packaging, a unique feature compared to the typical green packaging of Chinese beers. It is a light lager with a surprisingly strong flavour, making it excellent for mixing with soju. Wusu Beer is also known for its perfect price point, contributing to its popularity.

Wusu Beer is produced by Xinjiang Wusu Beer Co., Ltd., with its headquarters originally located in Wusu, at the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang. While it is widely available in supermarkets and corner stores in China, it may be more challenging to find in other parts of the world, including the United States.

The unique characteristics, flavour, and accessibility of Wusu Beer have made it a favourite among many, contributing to its reputation as the most popular beer to originate from Xinjiang.

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