The Growth of the Chinese Craft Beer Scene

Whilst, it has always been possible to hunt down craft beer in the big cities in China, it was previously a bit of a challenge and search. This normally involved searching and visiting a specific bar and having a draft beer. There was then an extension to being able to get drafts and occasionally bottles in a few restaurants. But on my latest visit to China, whilst visiting Beijing, Chengdu and Nanning I noticed a shift in the availability of Chinese craft beer. Whilst, in Chengdu I was able to have a craft beer in a Chinese (upmarket and central) restaurant, plus when going back to the hotel I was able to get another craft beer at a convenience store. Later in the week when staying in the Tongzhou district in Beijing, I was able to get a couple of interesting craft beer bottles, including a mint beer, from a restaurant with a range of local and imported beers in their fridges. This was particularly useful as I struggled for sleep that night, before flying back to Washington the following morning. I left realising how far the Chinese craft beer scene had come, from having to search for craft beer, to it being offered in convenience stores and small local restaurants. Let’s see if the growth continues during the coming months and years.