Imagine stepping into a world where beer is more than just a beverage. Here at the Tsing Tao Brewery, it embodies a rich history. It reflects cultural shifts and international influences.
The Tsing Tao Brewery stands as China’s second-largest brewery. It holds about 15% of the domestic market share. Moreover, it accounts for half of China’s national beer exports. Founded in 1903, the brewery began as an Anglo-German venture. Master brewers from Germany supervised the brewing process in Tsingtao. This city is now known as Qingdao. At that time, it was part of the Kiautschou Bay Leased Territory. Imperial Germany leased this area from the Chinese government.
Initially, the Anglo-German Brewery Co. Ltd. owned the Tsing Tao Brewery. This company was based in Hong Kong. They primarily sold beers to Europeans residing in China. The brewery was established on August 15, 1903. It was named Germania-Brauerei Tsingtao Co., Ltd. The initial capital was 400,000 Mexican silver dollars. This was divided into 4,000 shares. Each share was priced at $100.
The first beer poured on December 22, 1904. Following the Siege of Tsingtao during World War I, Qingdao fell under Japanese military control. Then, on August 16, 1916, a meeting occurred in Shanghai. Liquidators were appointed. It was decided that the company would be sold to Dai-Nippon Brewery. In 1949, this brewery split into Asahi Breweries and Sapporo Brewery.
After Japan’s surrender to the Allies at the end of World War II, the Tsing Tao Brewery became a Chinese brewery. The Tsui family owned it. The Nationalist government in Nanjing supervised it. However, this ownership lasted only until 1949. After the Communist victory, the People’s Republic of China confiscated all shares. The brewery became a state-owned enterprise.
The company was privatized in the early 1990s. In 1993, it merged with three other breweries in Qingdao. It was renamed Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited. In June 1993, Tsingtao Brewery was the first Chinese firm listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Once, Anheuser-Busch owned 27% of the company. The company owned several other breweries in China. Some of them also produced Tsingtao Beer. Anheuser-Busch InBev sold 19.9% to Asahi Breweries in 2009 for $667 million. Asahi Breweries, Ltd. became the second-largest shareholder. Only the Tsingtao Brewery Group was larger. Later in 2009, Anheuser-Busch InBev sold its remaining 7% to Chinese tycoon Chen Fashu for $235 million. In 2017, Asahi Breweries announced it would sell its 20 percent share in Tsingtao. They had owned it since 2009. The value of this share was estimated at US$1.1 billion.
Tsingtao Beer is a well-hopped standard pale lager with 4.7% abv. It is the flagship brew. It accounts for most of the brewery’s production. An unpasteurized version sells as Tsingtao Draft Beer. Tsingtao Beer was advertised as “brewed with mineral water from the Laoshan Spring”. This contributed to its characteristic flavor. However, that now applies only to beer produced in Qingdao. It does not apply to beer from the company’s other breweries.
The brewery produces other beers. These are mostly for the local market. Those sometimes found outside China include Tsingtao Dark Beer 5.2% abv. More rarely, Tsingtao Spirulina Green Beer is found. It is also sold as Tsingtao Green Beer. It is a 4.5% abv green pilsner colored by spirulina. It is claimed to promote good health.
Tsingtao Beer entered the United States in 1972. It became the top-selling Chinese beer in the U.S. market. It has maintained this leadership ever since. The Tsingtao brand sells in 62 countries and regions. It accounts for more than 50% of China’s beer exports.
Before 1949, the brewery used imported raw material and water from Laoshan mountain. With the Korean War, the brewery used domestic products. The government encouraged peasants in Shandong to harvest hops and barley.
The brewery first applied for a Qingdao International Beer Festival in 1991. The city became the main sponsor. The first festival opened on June 23, 1991. It has been held annually ever since. The festival was named “International Beer Festival” to attract foreigners. The festival aims to make the brand more popular for domestic consumers. It encourages the development of Qingdao’s beer culture.
The Tsing Tao Brewery weaves a narrative of cultural exchange. It shows resilience and adaptation. From its Anglo-German roots to its current status as a global brand, Tsingtao Beer embodies China’s journey through history. As you savor a sip of Tsingtao, remember you’re partaking in a legacy. It spans continents and decades. It’s a story brewed in time.