Top Chinese Craft Beer Recommendations for UK Buyers

The UK's craft beer landscape is constantly evolving, with drinkers always on the lookout for the next unique flavour. While we're familiar with hop-forward IPAs and rich stouts, a new wave of Asian craft beer is introducing exciting and unfamiliar tastes. Specifically, the Chinese craft beer scene is producing innovative brews that blend traditional ingredients with modern brewing techniques, offering a genuine taste of something different.

For those looking to buy Chinese beer online, navigating the options can be a challenge. This guide is designed to introduce you to this emerging category, highlighting some distinctive flavours and providing practical advice to help you choose a brew that suits your palate.

What to Look for When Choosing Chinese Craft Beer

Before diving into our recommendations, here are a few points to consider that will help you make an informed choice.

1. Explore Unconventional Flavour Profiles

Many Chinese craft brewers are moving beyond the standard malt-and-hops formula. They often incorporate ingredients central to Chinese cuisine and culture. You will find beers infused with local fruits, teas and even nostalgic snack flavours. When looking for a flavoured craft beer UK drinkers haven't seen before, look for ingredient lists that mention things like hawthorn, yuzu, or specific tea varieties. This is where the most unique experiences are found.

2. Consider the Occasion and Food Pairings

These beers are often crafted with food in mind. A tart and fruity brew like a Bingtanghulu beer can cut through the richness of braised pork belly or balance the spice of a Sichuan hot pot. A more delicate and aromatic Longjing tea beer, on the other hand, might be better suited to steamed fish, dumplings or simply enjoyed on its own as a refreshing palate cleanser. Consider what you plan to eat, or if you're simply after a standalone drink.

3. Check the Format and Alcohol Content

Many of the most interesting Chinese craft beers, such as the Kingstar beer range, are packaged in larger 1-litre bottles. This format is ideal for sharing with friends over a meal. The alcohol by volume (ABV) is also typically moderate, often sitting between 4.0% and 5.0%, making them quite sessionable and focused more on flavour than sheer strength.

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Here are a few standout examples of Chinese craft beer that showcase the innovation and unique flavours coming from the region.

Kingstar Bingtanghulu (Candied Hawthorn) Chinese Craft Beer

Why It Stands Out: This beer is a direct tribute to Bingtanghulu, a traditional Chinese street snack of candied hawthorn berries. It successfully translates that distinct sweet-and-sour flavour into a crisp, refreshing beer. The initial sweetness gives way to a tart fruitiness from the hawthorn, all balanced by a subtle malt backbone. It’s a truly novel concept that delivers a memorable taste.

• Pros:
  • Unique flavour profile inspired by a classic Chinese snack.
  • Harmonious balance of sweet and tart notes.
  • Generous 1L bottle is perfect for sharing.
  • Moderate 4.5% ABV.
• Who is it for?
  • Adventurous drinkers looking for a flavour they have never tried before.
  • Those with a fondness for sweet-and-sour profiles, similar to a sour beer or a dry fruit cider.
  • Anyone feeling nostalgic for the taste of traditional Bingtanghulu.

Kingstar Passionfruit Chinese Craft Beer

Why It Stands Out: While passionfruit fruit beer is a more familiar concept, this brew stands out for its authentic and refreshing tropical character. It avoids being overly sweet or artificial, instead offering a bright, citrusy aroma and a clean finish. The real passionfruit flavour is front and centre, making it an exceptionally easy-drinking and aromatic choice, especially for warmer weather.

• Pros:
  • Vibrant and authentic tropical fruit flavour.
  • Highly refreshing with a clean, crisp finish.
  • Versatile for drinking on its own or pairing with spicy food.
  • Sessionable 4.7% ABV.
• Who is it for?
  • Fans of fruit beers and ciders looking for a well-balanced craft option.
  • Anyone seeking a refreshing drink for a summer barbecue or social gathering.
  • Those new to flavoured beers who want to start with a recognisable, crowd-pleasing taste.

Kingstar Longjing Green Tea Chinese Craft Beer

Why It Stands Out: This beer represents a sophisticated fusion of two ancient beverages: tea and beer. It is infused with high-grade Longjing green tea, famous for its delicate, toasty and slightly floral notes. The result is a remarkably elegant beer. It has a fresh, grassy aroma and a clean, crisp taste with a subtle herbal bitterness on the finish, completely distinct from the hop bitterness found in Western ales.

• Pros:
  • Subtle, complex and refined flavour profile.
  • Brewed with authentic Longjing green tea for a genuine taste.
  • Crisp and clean finish with no cloying sweetness.
  • Moderate 4.5% ABV.
• Who is it for?
  • Tea aficionados and drinkers who appreciate nuanced, delicate flavours.
  • Those looking for a sophisticated alternative to heavily hopped or sweet beers.
  • Foodies seeking a unique beer to pair with seafood or other light dishes.

Looking for Something More Traditional?

While flavoured beers showcase modern creativity, sometimes you just want a classic, crisp lager. This style is perfect for complementing a wide range of Chinese dishes without overpowering them.

If you're interested in exploring straightforward, refreshing lagers, you can browse our full selection of Chinese lager here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chinese craft beer taste like?

The flavour is incredibly diverse. While some breweries produce styles familiar to Western drinkers, many of the most popular exports are flavoured craft beers. These often incorporate traditional Chinese ingredients, resulting in unique profiles that can be sweet, sour, floral or herbal. Common infusions include fruits like hawthorn and lychee, or teas such as Longjing green tea and jasmine.

Where can I buy Chinese beer online in the UK?

The most reliable way to buy Chinese beer online is through specialist e-commerce platforms that focus on sourcing Asian food and drink. These retailers, like Joybuy, often provide a curated selection of authentic products, including the Kingstar beer range, that you are unlikely to find in a typical British supermarket.

Is Bingtanghulu beer very sweet?

The Kingstar Bingtanghulu beer is designed to capture the essence of the candied hawthorn snack, which has both sweet and sour elements. The beer mirrors this by balancing the initial sweetness with the natural tartness of the hawthorn fruit and the underlying malt character of the beer. The result is a balanced sweet-and-sour profile, not a purely sugary drink.