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The UK's craft beer scene is vibrant, but it is easy to feel like you have seen it all. Between the countless IPAs and familiar stouts, the search for something genuinely new can be a challenge. For the adventurous palate, a new frontier is opening up: Chinese craft beer. This emerging category moves beyond traditional lagers, offering a fascinating fusion of modern brewing techniques and distinctively Asian flavours.
As a Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, my role is to help you navigate this exciting landscape. This guide is designed to introduce you to the unique world of flavoured craft beer from China, providing practical advice to help you find a brew that truly excites your taste buds.
Venturing into a new beer category can be daunting. Here are a few straightforward tips to help you select a Chinese craft beer that you will enjoy.
Unlike many Western craft beers that centre on hop bitterness or malt sweetness, many Chinese craft brews are celebrated for their integration of local ingredients. You will find a wide array of unique craft beer flavours, often derived from fruits and traditional snacks. Look for notes of hawthorn, plum or zesty citrus. These fruit infused beer styles offer a refreshing departure from the norm, balancing sweetness, tartness and subtle malt character.
Reading the label provides valuable clues. Pay attention to the Alcohol by Volume (ABV). Many Chinese craft beers have a moderate ABV (around 3-5%), making them more sessionable and food-friendly. Another detail to note is the format. Many are available in 1L craft beer cans, which are perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying over an evening.
The distinctive flavours of Asian craft beer make them excellent companions for food. A lemon sea salt beer can cut through the richness of fried foods or complement seafood, while a sweeter, fruit-forward brew like a Bingtanghulu beer can be paired with spicy Sichuan dishes to cool the palate or even serve as a dessert drink.
Here are a few standout options that offer a brilliant introduction to the world of Chinese craft brewing.
Why It Stands Out: This brew is the definition of refreshment. It combines the zesty brightness of lemon juice with a subtle hint of sea salt, creating a clean, crisp finish. It is a modern take on a shandy or radler, but with the satisfying body of a well-made craft beer.
Pros:
Who is it for? This is a great choice for those who enjoy light, citrus-forward beers, particularly during warmer months. If you are a fan of Gose-style beers or simply want a thirst-quenching drink with a unique twist, this lemon sea salt beer is an excellent starting point.
Why It Stands Out: This beer captures the nostalgic flavour of Bingtanghulu, a traditional Chinese street snack of candied hawthorn fruit. The result is a delightful balance of sweet and tart. It is a truly innovative flavoured craft beer that offers a taste of cultural heritage in every sip.
Pros:
Who is it for? This Bingtanghulu beer is for the truly adventurous drinker. If you have a fondness for fruit beers, sours or are part of the Chinese diaspora seeking a taste of home, this brew delivers a memorable experience. It is also perfect for foodies looking to explore unique craft beer flavours.
Why It Stands Out: Taking the Bingtanghulu concept a step further, this Kingstar beer adds a creamy dimension inspired by milk skin. It blends hawthorn and plum juice with yogurt and plant-based lactic acid bacteria, creating a complex, smoothie-like texture. As an unfiltered cloudy beer, it offers a rich mouthfeel and a fascinating interplay of sweet, tangy and creamy notes.
Pros:
Who is it for? This is for the seasoned craft beer enthusiast who has tried it all and is looking for something completely new. If you enjoy hazy IPAs, fruited sours or milk stouts, the creamy, tangy profile of this beer will be an exciting discovery.
The journey into Chinese craft beer does not end here. The products highlighted above are just a glimpse into a growing category filled with innovation and tradition. If you are curious to discover other intriguing options, from fruit-infused brews to other distinctive Asian beverages, our broader collection is ready for you to explore.
Discover More in Our Chinese Beverages Category
There is no single answer, which is what makes it so exciting. While some breweries produce Western-style IPAs and stouts, the most distinctive offerings are flavoured craft beer styles. These often feature a balance of sweet, sour and fruity notes from ingredients like hawthorn, yuzu, lemon and plum, creating a taste profile that is typically more refreshing and less hop-bitter than many UK or US craft beers.
Generally, many of the popular fruit-infused Chinese craft beers are designed to be sessionable and food-friendly. The examples in this guide range from 3.3% to 4.5% ABV, which is comparable to a standard lager or light ale. However, as with any craft beer scene, you can find stronger varieties, so it is always best to check the label.
While it is still a niche category, availability is growing, especially online. Retailers that specialise in international and Asian products, such as Joybuy.co.uk, are excellent places to find a curated selection of Chinese craft beer, including the Kingstar beer range and other unique beverages delivered directly to your door.