Cheers, it is the year of The Rat
The folks from Tsingtao remind us that the Chinese New Year starts Thursday, Feb. 7. It is the year of the Rat.
Chinese years are named after one of 12 animals. People born in the appropriate year are said to have the personality of the animal: The Rat is a hard-worker.
The New Year is marked by large meals, and presumably some beer drinking. Celebrants wear red, a bright, happy color, sure to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future. So put on your red dress, baby, and toast the Rat.
In my book, Tsingtao is an OK beer, sorta the Chinese Bud. Anyone got a favorite Chinese beer?
Comments
Normally, "favorite Chinese beer" is as much an oxymoron as "best Brazilian sake" or "best Norwegian tequila". However, having had excellent craft beer from the land of Kirin and Sapporo from the brewery that makes Hitachino Nest beers (as they're sold here), I suspect that it's most likely that what well-crafted beers they make they don't send here. It's been noted that dramatically increased Chinese beer consumption is part of what's driving up the worldwide prices of barley and hops.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 4, 2008 10:04 PM
Asian beers: Kirin Ichiban has to be at the top of any list. Also, for good measure "33" beer from VietNam - if for no other reason than the wacky name and its sheer ubiquity.
Posted by: bryanintimonium | February 5, 2008 10:12 AM