Roll out the barrel

The Fourth Beijing Craft Beer Festival, which drew nearly 8,000 visitors. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Its founder and brewmaster, Carl Setzer from Ohio, says: "The American Craft Brewers Association defines craft beer as brewers that are 'small, independent, and traditional'. However, unlike many other countries, with long-established brewers' associations, China has yet to truly define what craft beer is."

Craft beer is special in a way that it always tends to combine local culture and ingredients. Many a craft brewery in China now is trying to incorporate Chinese elements to the beer.

"Styles of beer have been developed in the West, but we are proud to brew world-class beers that showcase the most unique aspects of China's rich culinary tradition," Setzer says. "We are not re-creating American craft beer in China, but rather creating Chinese craft beer."

Chinese-style IPA should use all Chinese ingredients, especially all Chinese hops, he says.

For example, Great Leap's Little General IPA is a unique Chinese-style IPA using 100 percent Chinese ingredients, including whole-flower Qingdao Flower hops from Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Chinese craft beer should include not only Chinese ingredients, but reflect Chinese history and culture as well, Setzer says.