China’s Love of Beer
Posted By Phin Upham
China is an unexpected place to find some of the world’s best brews, but the industry has been growing for a few years now. There are still the popular brands for consumption, and China does its fair share of importing too. The practice of drinking beer is more alive in China than ever, and here is how it’s evolved in the past few years.
Ancient Brews
Near 7000 BC, Chinese villagers were practicing the art of craft brewing made out of rice, honey, grapes, and hawthorn fruits. These early brews seemed to mark significant occasions, like a funeral or a religious ritual. Beer eventually faded in favor of a unique Chinese wine distilled from grains.
Craft Brews
It started with Western ex-pats seeking brews that were reminiscent of those back home. The South China Morning Post reports these craft breweries are starting to hit the mainstream. The desire comes from better-tasting brews that are less-expensive than importing Western beers. Some places, like Great Leap Brewing Co., offer up to 16 different varieties.
Beer Culture
All of this craft brewing has spawned a culture of beer drinking in China, with craft brew establishments soaking up the business. Beer is so popular that several delivery services have sprung up, seemingly overnight, where customers can pay someone for a late-night beer run. Perhaps as this culture grows, Hong Kong will offer more brewpubs to cater to the increasing number of Chinese seeking a cold beer after a long day.
About the Author: Phin Upham is an investor at a family office/ hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Phin Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media & Technology group. You may contact Phin on his Phin Upham website or Twitter page.
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