The 28th Qingdao International Beer Festival, held from July 20 to August 26 of this year, featured more than 200 beer brands from over 30 countries and regions. Beer enthusiasts enjoyed the refreshing taste of more than 1,300 types of the alcoholic drink at the month-long gala.

The first beer festival was held in Qingdao in 1991, and most of the vendors and sponsors were domestic brands. Now the festival has grown into one of the biggest in Asia, with this year’s venue occupying more than 800,000 square meters.

“China’s beer culture goes back 9,000 years …. But modern Chinese beer culture centers on Qingdao,” according to “China’s Qingdao Beer Festival Taps Into a Thirsty Market,” a report published on Time.com on August 23.

The event this year has also been extended to accommodate more tourists as awareness of the city as a travel destination soared after Qingdao hosted the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in June.

Qingdao locals consider the beer made here as Qingdao’s best ambassador. Sitting at a table with strangers from across the globe, a toast can easily bridge the gap and bring them closer.

 

SOURCE chinesetoday.com