*** I'm doing this post kinda out of chronological order. I hope you don't mind.
I've hit the same point in my conversations numerous times over the last week. When talking about our vacation, I'll mention QingDao, and get blank stares...... until I say the little phrase, "you know, QingDao, where the beer comes from." Which will, without fail, illicit an immediate look of recognition, "oooooh, yes, the beer, Tsingtao beer!" Without a doubt, the city of QingDao and it's beer are inseparable. So it's only natural, that along with "Wine Street" and "Cultural Street", there should be "Beer Street".
And yes, Beer Street is touristy, full of pubs and shops.... and of course the inevitable"public square".
Which I thought was kinda neat........ and I really want one of these benches for my backyard. Why not the front? Well, I wouldn't want to give the neighbors the wrong image of me....... you understand, right?
I figure this place must be hopping in August, when QingDao hosts it's International Beer Festival, the largest of it's kind in Asia.
Beyond all the pubs beckoning you in, there actually is a location of Tsingtao Brewery on Beer Street.
I love the mural on the wall of the brewery which outlines the beer making process.
If you are so inclined, you can visit the Beer Museum (50 yuan), and get free beer at the end of your visit. You can find all things Tsingtao here....
I was really only after two things..... one of them was swag for my friends back home.
The other could be found in the cavernous beer garden.
After getting some "authentic" Tsingtao gear, from the source, I wanted to try the Tsingtao Dark Lager. The Missus and I shared a mug, it was fairly frothy, light-bodied for a dark beer, with mild coffee-chocolate hints.
This beer garden is also where the tours of the beer museum terminate, and you can get your free brew. And of course, folks are going to make sure they get their money's worth! I'd heard that there's no minimum drinking age in China, and this was confirmation.....
And that young lady sipping the brew looked all of 11-12 years old! You gotta love China.......
It must be an Asia thing. I had beer when I was 5ish
Posted by: Tammy | Saturday, 10 July 2010 at 10:05 PM
LOL Tammy! That explains a lot! he-he-he-he.... just kidding.
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 10 July 2010 at 10:51 PM
I agree with Tammy! My dad didn't seem too out of sorts when my brother and I tried a can of his beer when we were in elementary school. At the time I absolutely hated the flavor, but now that I can legally guzzle the beverage, I must say I LOVE it...ha.
Posted by: Linda | Sunday, 11 July 2010 at 08:22 AM
That is cool! I better tell Satoshi about this, he'll want to go check it out!
Posted by: kat | Sunday, 11 July 2010 at 11:08 AM
lol great pics, esp. the ones at the end...did you stay to watch till they finished their whole cup? haha.
and is it pronounced "sing sahow?"
Posted by: sawyer | Sunday, 11 July 2010 at 11:57 AM
Hi Linda - The first beer I ever tasted was Primo.... and man was it terrible!
Hi Kat - I think you'll love QingDao.
Hu Sawyer - We really didn't stick around to see if she finished. She did make it through at least half the glass. It's pronounced "Ching - Dao".
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 11 July 2010 at 08:32 PM
you.. did NOT.....visit.. the ACTUAL...Tsingtao brewery....
Posted by: Chris | Tuesday, 13 July 2010 at 07:49 AM
yes..... we DID Chris! ;o) LOL....
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 13 July 2010 at 08:22 AM
If you like beer...you should try this new place Sessions Public in Pt. Loma on Catalina at Voltaire (used to be Little Italy Pizza). They have 16 beers on tap...lotsa Belgian beers and good food too!!!
Posted by: Hulacook | Tuesday, 13 July 2010 at 04:31 PM
I always love food tourism! I can't get over those kids enjoying the brewskis...
Posted by: foodhoe | Tuesday, 13 July 2010 at 09:29 PM
Hi Hulacook - Thanks for the rec.
Hi FH - I was quite amused at the sight of the two girls having a cold one.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 14 July 2010 at 04:08 PM
Great post. QuingDao is one of the very few beers I enjoy. Great picture of the 2 girls with their beers
Posted by: stephen | Monday, 19 July 2010 at 03:06 PM
Hi Stephen - Thanks so much! BTW, Tsingtao in QingDao is much lighter than what we get here in the states.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 20 July 2010 at 01:41 PM