NEWS
CHINA’S CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY FLOURISHING WITH DISTINCTIVE FLAVOURS FOR CHINESE PALATE
By Tony Zhu
31-3-2025
Source: Panda Brew
China’s craft beer industry is rapidly growing producing niche products with distinctive flavours catered to the Chinese palate.
Business research in China predicted that consumption volume of craft beer will reach 2600 million litres this year, while sales value will hit RMB104 billion (USD14.9b), accounting for 17.2 percent of the total beer market share.
Many young professionals in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen are increasingly turning to craft beers, seeking to explore different tastes and experiences beyond mass market beers.
Chinese craft beers are characterised by its unique flavour profiles and diverse styles.
Local ingredients like osmanthus, jasmine and Sichuan peppercorns are sometimes added to create a distinctively Chinese flavour.
Among them tea-flavoured beers are particularly popular, with sales increased by more than 5 times on e-commerce platforms between 2023 and 2024.
Small scale craft breweries are flourishing in major metropolitan areas. These local breweries often focus on creating unique, small batch brews that appeal to local consumers.
In Beijing, brands like Panda Brew and Cow Beer Hall have gained popularity, while in Shanghai, Boxing Cat and Tap House Workshop are well loved by locals and expatriates.
However, targeting a niche market in a populous country like China is always highly challenging, as the country is the master of mass production.
The exceptionally high price point for these craft beers are testing price sensitive consumers, especially in a market where affordable mass produced beers are so abundantly available.
(the writer can be contacted at: info@thewinechronicle.com)
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