The 36th Qingdao International Beer Festival kicks off

The 36th Qingdao International Beer Festival opened in grand style on Friday evening in Qingdao West Coast New Area, Shandong province, kicking off a month-long citywide celebration of beer, culture and entertainment. 

Running through Aug 15, this year's festival will feature more than 2,000 events, including beer tastings, cultural performances and international trade exchanges, organizers said. 

At the Golden Beach Beer City in Qingdao West Coast New Area, nine beer tents have been set up, offering more than 2,300 varieties of beer from around the world, ranging from premium craft brews to specialty fruit-flavored beers, catering to diverse tastes.

Established in 1991, the Qingdao International Beer Festival has grown into one of China's most renowned cultural festivals and a signature platform for Qingdao's global exchanges.

This year's festival features three major venues — the West Coast New Area venue, Laoshan venue and Qingdao Old Town venue — adopting a citywide approach with coordinated activities across multiple locations.

Through beer culture, the festival aims to boost consumption, enhance international appeal and offer visitors richer experiences, organizers added.