Yanjing's grassroot tradition

By Mike Fuksman (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-13 09:16

As the self-proclaimed "biggest brewery in Asia", the Yanjing Beer Company is not shy about its reputation.

Widely known as "Beijing beer" or "Pujing", the beer has been brewed in the Shunyi district of Beijing for nearly 30 years. Its low price and ubiquitous presence makes it a favorite among locals and some expats.

It is not uncommon to walk the streets of Beijing at night and see locals entertaining themselves with dice, cards and a few giant green bottles of Yanjing. Yanjing claims to account for nearly 85 percent of all beers sold in Beijing, as well as being the best-selling beer in China for the past 10 years.

The beer itself is brewed in the pilsner style, with a light golden yellow appearance and a distinct aroma. It has a very dry, crispy consistency which makes it great for pairing with heavier foods. It is produced with mineral water, wheat and barley which is imported from Canada and Australia, and brewed using German equipment here in Beijing.

The recognizable green glass bottles are treated to keep sunlight from damaging the beer. At 4.5% ABV, it is not as strong as most Western or European beers, but its light taste and rock-bottom price make it easy to drink a lot of the stuff. An alcohol-free version is also available.

Yanjing's sponsorship of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games is testament to its popularity and recognizability in the city and elsewhere.