China is the world's biggest beer producer and the fourth-largest hop-growing nation, even though its annual per capita consumption, at about 30 litres, is relatively low compared with top consumer the Czech Republic (about 160 litres) and even New Zealand (about 75).
One of its exported beers, Tsingtao (pronounced ching dow), has been making itself known in Alexandra in the past fortnight at events associated with the year-long 150th anniversary celebrations of the discovery of gold in Central Otago. (The first group of Chinese miners arrived in 1866 and within two years, Chinese outnumbered Europeans in Clyde. They and their descendants thereafter contributed to the growth of Otago.)
The Tsingtao brewery is the oldest (established in 1903) and largest in the country and accounts for about half of all China's beer exports. Its headquarters is in Quingdao, home of whiteware manufacturer Haier, which is the majority shareholder in New Zealand company Fisher and Paykel Appliances.
The import is a lager which compares favourably in quality with most international labels: refreshing, with a nice balance of malt and hop and good depth of flavour despite the small amount of rice used in it and its slightly lower strength (4.7%).
Tsingtao is imported by Auckland-based Ettason Group and is readily available at Countdown outlets in six-packs for a relatively competitive $12 to $14 - and has been on special for as low as $10 online (at, for example, Beerdirect or Countdown).
The six-packs are of either 330ml or 296ml bottles, and the beer also comes in single 640ml bottles.
Another imported Chinese beer is Yangjing (4.5%).
For collectors
Lion Breweries is marking 40 years since moving Lion Red into cans with a limited-edition run of specially printed cans featuring the 1970s stylised lion.
Unfortunately for southern can collectors, this edition is being sold only in the North Island and is expected to run out by the end of next month.
Get the message
This special can is the first by Lion to incorporate a drink-drive message, using Land Transport's television commercial's motto of "Stop a mate driving drunk, bloody legend".
The brewery says: "Being able to reach our Kiwi blokes when they're having a few drinks is a great new way of getting them to look out for each other right when they need to be."
It intends to use other drink-drive messages when it amends labels in the future.
DB promoted the anti-drink-driving message in the 1990s on television. All of its labels and packaging now feature "www.drinkresponsibly.co.nz", pointing to a website DB and Lion set up on the dangers of drink-driving.
Heineken, which DB brews under licence, ran an "enjoy Heineken responsibly" campaign during the Rugby World Cup (including branding some taxis with "Let a sober driver take you home") and ran a "Sunrise belongs to moderate drinkers" campaign over new year.