Craft Beer in China: A Complete Guide to China’s Booming Beer Revolution

When most people think of Chinese beer, they think of Tsingtao—the crisp, light lager that’s been exported worldwide since the 1970s. And while Tsingtao is indeed China’s most famous beer, it’s just the tip of a very large, very diverse iceberg.

Over the past decade, China has experienced a craft beer revolution. From Shanghai to Chengdu, Beijing to Shenzhen, independent breweries are producing world-class IPAs, stouts, sours, and barrel-aged beers that rival anything from the American West Coast or Northern Europe. Chinese craft brewers are also doing something unique: creating beers that incorporate Chinese ingredients and traditions, from Sichuan peppercorn IPAs to tea-infused saisons to beers aged in baijiu barrels.

Whether you’re a dedicated beer nerd or just someone who enjoys a good pint, China’s craft beer scene is worth exploring. This guide covers everything you need to know: the history, the best breweries, where to drink, what styles to try, and how to plan a craft beer tour of China.

A Brief History of Beer in China

Beer is not native to China. For thousands of years, the dominant alcoholic beverages were baijiu (distilled grain spirit) and huangjiu (fermented rice wine). Beer arrived with European traders in the 19th century.

In 1903, German and British merchants founded the Germania-Brauerei in Qingdao (Tsingtao)—a coastal city that had been a German concession since 1898. This brewery, later renamed Tsingtao Brewery, became the foundation of China’s modern beer industry. After the Communist revolution in 1949, the brewery was nationalized, and Tsingtao became China’s dominant beer brand.

For most of the 20th century, Chinese beer meant thin, light lagers produced by state-owned breweries. The beer was cheap, refreshing, and served ice cold—perfect for China’s hot summers—but it offered little in the way of flavor or variety. Brands like Snow Beer (the world’s best-selling beer by volume), Yanjing (Beijing’s local lager), and Harbin Beer dominated the market.

The Craft Beer Revolution

The Chinese craft beer movement began around 2010, inspired by the American craft beer boom and driven by a growing middle class with disposable income and a taste for Western culture. Early pioneers included:

• Great Leap Brewing (Beijing, founded 2010): One of China’s first craft breweries, known for incorporating Chinese ingredients like Sichuan peppercorns and tea into their beers.
• Boxing Cat Brewery (Shanghai, founded 2008): Shanghai’s first craft brewery, serving American-style ales to expats and curious locals.
• Brew Bear (Beijing, founded 2011): A craft beer bar that helped introduce Belgians, Germans, and American craft beers to the Chinese market.

By the mid-2010s, craft breweries were opening across China. Today, there are hundreds of craft breweries nationwide, with the highest concentrations in Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu. The scene has matured rapidly—Chinese brewers are now winning international awards, and craft beer bars are a fixture of urban nightlife.

The Best Craft Beer Cities in China

Shanghai

Shanghai is China’s craft beer capital. The city has the highest density of craft breweries, beer bars, and beer-focused restaurants in the country. The scene is concentrated in three main areas: the French Concession, Jing’an, and the former industrial area of Yangpu.

Must-visit breweries and bars:

• Boxing Cat Brewery: Still going strong, with multiple locations. Their Sneaky Pete IPA and Out of Order Stout are classics.
• Kiwi Brew Club: A popular craft beer bar in the French Concession with an excellent rotating tap list.
• The Beer Lady: A Shanghai institution—cheap beer, outdoor seating, and a massive selection of craft beers from China and around the world.
• Daga Brewpub: A large brewpub with an in-house brewery and a food menu that bridges Chinese and Western cuisines.
• Liquid Laundry: A gastropub with a great craft beer selection and excellent food, located in the former French Concession.

What to drink: Shanghai’s beer scene leans toward American styles—IPAs, pale ales, and stouts—but you’ll also find excellent Belgian-style ales and German-style lagers. Look for collaborations between local breweries.

Pair your craft beer crawl with a Shanghai food tour for the full experience.

Beijing

Beijing’s craft beer scene is older and more established than Shanghai’s, with a focus on incorporating Chinese ingredients and culture into beer. The city’s breweries are concentrated in the Gulou (Drum Tower) and Sanlitun areas.

Must-visit breweries and bars:

• Great Leap Brewing: The pioneer. Their Original Face Pale Ale and Iron Buddha Blonde Ale (made with oolong tea) are must-tries. Multiple locations, including a courtyard brewpub in a traditional hutong.
• Jing-A Brewing: One of Beijing’s most respected breweries, known for their Airpocalypse Double IPA (named after Beijing’s infamous pollution) and seasonal collaborations. Their taproom in the Central Business District is a great hangout.
• Slow Boat Brewery: A smaller brewery with a cozy taproom, known for their hop-forward beers and community atmosphere.
• Paddy O’Shea’s: Not a craft brewery, but an Irish pub with one of Beijing’s best craft beer selections. Good for watching sports and sampling multiple local breweries in one place.
• Big Smoke Burger: A craft beer bar with an excellent rotating selection of Chinese and international beers.

What to drink: Beijing brewers love experimenting with Chinese ingredients. Look for beers made with Sichuan peppercorns, tea, goji berries, or chrysanthemum.

Pair with a Beijing food tour or explore night markets with a craft beer in hand.

Chengdu

Chengdu’s craft beer scene is younger than Shanghai’s and Beijing’s, but it’s growing fast—driven by the city’s relaxed lifestyle and strong food culture. The craft beer community here is tight-knit and passionate.

Must-visit breweries and bars:

• Harvest Brewing: One of Chengdu’s first craft breweries, with a taproom in the city center. Their IPA and milk stout are local favorites.
• Wandering Hop: A craft beer bar with an excellent selection of Chinese and imported beers, plus good food. A favorite among the local expat community.
• Beer Barn: A cozy bar with a rotating tap list, located near Sichuan University.
• M99: A beer store and bar with a massive selection of imported and domestic craft beers. Good for buying bottles to take home.

What to drink: Chengdu brewers are beginning to experiment with Sichuan ingredients—look for beers made with Sichuan peppercorns, chili, or local fruits. The city is also developing a sour beer scene.

Pair your beer exploration with a Chengdu food tour—craft beer and Sichuan food are an excellent combination.

Other Cities

Guangzhou/Shenzhen

The Pearl River Delta has a growing craft beer scene, with breweries and bars in both Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The beer culture here is influenced by proximity to Hong Kong, which has a more established craft scene.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou’s craft beer scene is small but quality-focused. The city’s tea culture has inspired some interesting tea-beer collaborations. Pair with Zhejiang cuisine and a visit to Longjing tea farms.

Xiamen

A coastal city with a laid-back vibe and a small but growing craft beer community. The city’s Fujian cuisine pairs excellently with hoppy beers.

Chinese Craft Beer Styles to Try

Chinese-Inspired Beers

What sets Chinese craft beer apart is the use of local ingredients. These beers are unique to China and can’t be found anywhere else:

• Sichuan peppercorn IPA: The numbing spice of Sichuan peppercorns adds a unique tingling sensation to a hoppy IPA. It sounds strange, but it works—the pepper’s citrusy notes complement the hops beautifully.
• Tea-infused beers: China’s tea tradition provides a natural pairing for beer. Oolong, jasmine, and pu’er teas are used to flavor blonde ales, saisons, and even stouts.
• Goji berry sour: Goji berries (wolfberries) add a tart, slightly sweet flavor to sour beers. The red color is striking, and the berry’s supposed health benefits make for good marketing.
• Chrysanthemum ale: Dried chrysanthemum flowers are used to flavor light ales, adding a floral, honey-like aroma.
• Baijiu barrel-aged beers: Some adventurous brewers are aging beers in barrels that previously held baijiu, imparting the spirit’s complex, funky flavors into the beer. See our baijiu guide for more on China’s national spirit.

Western-Style Beers

Chinese brewers also produce excellent versions of classic Western beer styles:

• IPAs: The most popular craft beer style in China, as in the West. Look for both West Coast-style (bitter, piney) and New England-style (hazy, juicy) IPAs.
• Stouts and porters: Popular in winter. Some Chinese breweries produce excellent barrel-aged stouts.
• Sours: The sour beer scene is growing, with Berliner weisse, gose, and wild fermentation beers all represented.
• Belgian-style ales: Belgian styles are popular among Chinese brewers, especially saisons and tripels.
• Lagers: While mass-market lagers dominate, some craft breweries are producing high-quality craft lagers—pilsners, helles, and dunkels.

Beer and Chinese Food Pairing

Craft beer pairs excellently with Chinese food—often better than wine or baijiu. Here are some classic pairings:

• IPA + Sichuan food: The bitterness and citrus notes of an IPA complement the numbing-spicy heat of Sichuan cuisine and Hunan cuisine. The hops cut through the chili oil, while the carbonation cleanses the palate.
• Stout + red-braised dishes: The roasted, chocolatey notes of a stout pair beautifully with the sweet-savory richness of red-braised pork (Jiangsu cuisine) or Dongpo pork (Zhejiang cuisine).
• Wheat beer + dim sum: The light, fruity profile of a hefeweizen or witbier pairs well with delicate Cantonese and Fujian cuisine dishes.
• Sour beer + hot pot: The tartness of a sour beer provides refreshing contrast to the intense, spicy richness of hot pot.
• Pilsner + night market food: A crisp, cold pilsner is the perfect companion for grilled skewers, stinky tofu, and other street food.

Craft Beer Prices in China

Craft beer is more expensive than mass-market Chinese lager, but still cheaper than in most Western countries.

Item	Price Range (¥)
Mass-market beer (Tsingtao, Snow) at a restaurant	8–20
Mass-market beer at a convenience store	3–8
Craft beer pint at a bar	35–80
Craft beer flight (4–6 small samples)	50–120
Craft beer can/bottle at a brewery	25–60
Craft beer can/bottle at a beer store	20–50
High-end or barrel-aged craft beer	80–200+

How to Explore China’s Craft Beer Scene

Craft Beer Bar Crawls

The best way to explore China’s craft beer scene is a bar crawl through the best beer neighborhoods. In Shanghai, walk the French Concession, hitting 3–4 bars in an evening. In Beijing, start in the Gulou area and work your way toward Sanlitun.

Most craft beer bars offer flights (small samples of 4–6 beers), which is the best way to try multiple beers without overcommitting. Ask the bartender for recommendations—they’re usually passionate about beer and happy to guide you.

Brewery Tours

Several Chinese craft breweries offer tours of their brewing facilities. These typically include a walkthrough of the brewing process, a tasting of several beers, and sometimes food. Brewery tours are a great way to learn about the brewing process and taste fresh beer straight from the source.

Beijing: Jing-A Brewing offers regular brewery tours at their Production Taproom. Shanghai: Boxing Cat Brewery offers tours of their brewing facility. Chengdu: Harvest Brewing offers tours by appointment.

Beer Festivals

China hosts several craft beer festivals throughout the year:

• Shanghai International Beer Festival (May/June): The largest beer festival in China, with dozens of local and international breweries.
• Beijing Craft Beer Festival (September): Showcases Beijing’s best breweries plus international guests.
• Chengdu Beer Festival (October): A newer festival that highlights the growing southwest China beer scene.

Craft Beer and Food Tours

Some food tours in major Chinese cities now include craft beer stops. These tours combine street food or restaurant dining with visits to craft beer bars, giving you a taste of both Chinese food and Chinese beer culture in one experience.

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Tips for Craft Beer Travelers in China

1. Use the Dianping app: Dianping (China’s Yelp equivalent) is the best tool for finding craft beer bars. Search for “精酿啤酒” (craft beer) in any city.
2. Ask for flights: Don’t commit to a full pint of something you might not like. Order a flight and sample multiple beers.
3. Talk to the bartenders: Chinese craft beer bartenders are usually beer enthusiasts themselves. They’ll happily recommend beers based on your preferences.
4. Try the local beer: Every Chinese city now has at least one local craft brewery. Ask what’s local and try it.
5. Buy cans to take home: Many Chinese craft breweries sell cans that are perfect for bringing home as souvenirs. Check your home country’s customs regulations regarding alcohol.
6. Don’t ignore the mass-market beer: While craft beer is exciting, there’s something to be said for drinking an ice-cold Yanjing or Snow Beer with a plate of lamb skewers at a night market. Context matters.
7. Be aware of ABV: Chinese craft beers can be strong—some barrel-aged stouts and double IPAs exceed 10% ABV. Pace yourself, especially at altitude (in places like Yunnan or Tibet).

Chinese Craft Beer vs. Chinese Baijiu

China has two thriving alcohol cultures: baijiu (the traditional spirit) and craft beer (the modern import). They’re completely different experiences, and both are worth exploring.

Feature	Baijiu	Craft Beer
ABV	40–65%	4–10%
Serving style	Neat, in small glasses	Pints, flights, bottles
Occasion	Banquets, business dinners	Bars, casual hangouts, with food
Food pairing	Chinese banquet food	All types of food
Price (per serving)	¥10–3,000+	¥25–80
Cultural role	Traditional, formal	Modern, social

For a full understanding of Chinese drinking culture, try both. See our baijiu guide for everything you need to know about China’s national spirit.

The Future of Chinese Craft Beer

China’s craft beer scene is still young, but it’s developing rapidly. Several trends are worth watching:

• Localization: More breweries are incorporating Chinese ingredients, creating beer styles that are uniquely Chinese. Expect to see more Sichuan peppercorn beers, tea beers, and regionally inspired brews.
• Sour beers: The sour beer category is growing fast, with Chinese brewers experimenting with local fruits and fermentation techniques.
• Barrel-aging: Barrel-aged beers are becoming more common, with brewers using barrels from whiskey, wine, and baijiu producers.
• Distribution: Chinese craft beer is increasingly available in cans and bottles, not just on tap. This makes it easier to find and to take home.
• Competition from international brands: As China’s beer market grows, international craft breweries are entering the market. This is raising quality standards but also increasing competition for local brewers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is craft beer popular in China?

It’s growing rapidly, especially among young, urban, middle-class Chinese. Craft beer still represents a small fraction of total beer consumption in China (mass-market lagers dominate), but the craft segment is growing by double digits annually.

How does Chinese craft beer compare to American or European craft beer?

The best Chinese craft beer is on par with good American and European craft beer. The brewing techniques and quality are comparable. Where Chinese craft beer stands out is in its use of local ingredients—Sichuan peppercorns, tea, goji berries—that create flavors you can’t find elsewhere.

Can I find craft beer outside of major Chinese cities?

It’s getting easier. While the best craft beer scenes are in Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu, craft beer bars and local breweries are appearing in smaller cities and even some towns. Convenience stores in major cities now stock craft beer cans alongside Tsingtao and Snow.

Is Chinese mass-market beer worth trying?

Absolutely. While it’s not complex or flavorful, mass-market Chinese lager is refreshing, cheap, and culturally significant. Drinking a cold Yanjing at a Beijing night market or a Snow Beer at a Chengdu hot pot restaurant is an authentic Chinese experience. Don’t be a beer snob—context is everything.

Can I bring Chinese craft beer home?

Yes. Many Chinese craft breweries sell canned beer that travels well. Check your home country’s customs regulations regarding alcohol imports. Cans are better than bottles for travel—they’re lighter and won’t break.

The Bottom Line

China’s craft beer scene is one of the most exciting developments in the country’s food and drink culture. In just over a decade, Chinese brewers have gone from making Tsingtao knockoffs to producing world-class beers that incorporate local ingredients and reflect Chinese culinary traditions.

For travelers, exploring China’s craft beer scene is a rewarding way to experience the country’s modern, cosmopolitan side. Whether you’re drinking a Sichuan peppercorn IPA in a Chengdu brewpub, sampling tea-infused ales in a Beijing hutong, or pairing a stout with red-braised pork in Shanghai, Chinese craft beer offers a unique lens through which to view a country that is simultaneously ancient and cutting-edge.

So next time you’re in China, look beyond the Tsingtao. There’s a whole world of craft beer waiting to be discovered—and it’s getting better every year.

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Last updated: July 2026