Craft beer has absolutely exploded across the world in the last decade or so. Consumers in China’s big cities are even starting to put aside their bottles of brew that are more akin to carbonated water in favour of hoppy IPAs, Belgian dubbels, and homegrown beers incorporating Chinese ingredients and flavours.

Nanjing’s very own Master Gao Jasmine Tea Lager in blue.

Craft beer will only continue to expand and gain in sophistication. Just like in the wine world, there are now beer sommeliers known as cicerones who help guide customers to the ideal brew for their meal.

Just look at this hipster.

There’s a lot to keep in mind when selecting the best brew to accentuate the flavours of a meal. Would a bitter, hoppy beer kill off the subtle flavours of Cantonese cuisine? What would help ease the pain of fiery hotpot? Do sweet roasted malts pair well with sweet Shanghainese fare or does it elevate the experience into a sugary mess?

Fortunately, we live in Shanghai and while our selection isn’t as crazy as that of one of America’s killer beer stores, we still have access to lots of great adult beverages thanks to pioneers like Boxing Cat Brewery, Shanghai Brewery, The Beer Lady, the multitude of import grocery stores, mom & pop shops, and plenty more.

Heaven.

Here at Sherpa’s, we want you to enjoy your meal to the fullest. So we put togther a little guide to pairing great beers with your Chinese food.

HOT POT

As much as we love the fiery spices of Sichuan hotpot, it’s always a good idea to order a half & half option with a lighter side for relief. This way, you can also argue the need for two different beers. Smart.

We’d pair up a cloudy German wheat beer featuring a slightly sweet taste with yeast, fruit, and natural banana notes to help cut the heat.

Franziskraner Weissbier Naturtrub

Grab it from Field’s for ¥20 a bottle.

After chowing down on the ‘hot’ part of hot pot, the clearer broth will seem a little tame. Add a slightly bitter, floral IPA to kick things up a notch.

Goose Island IPA

Get it delivered from Sherpa’s for ¥138 for a 6-pack.

Also make sure to head over to this Chicago-based company’s flagship Asian brewhouse on Maoming Bei Lu to try their tasty beer on tap.

PORK FRIED RICE

This all-time classic is quick and easy to make, but still absolutely delicious. A tasty amber ale is just the thing to pair up with this simple dish. The caramel-like roast malt flavour and semi-nuttiness present in the beer echo similiar flavours in the fried rice.

Ballast Point California Amber Ale

Nab it from Bottles XO for ¥125 per 4-pack.

Hailing from San Diego, Ballast Point has recently been sending a lot of beer over to China. This rich, copper-coloured ale has a complex profile from the blend of four different kind of malts which also provide fruity esters to the beer. It complements the natural tastes present in the fried rice perfectly.

ROAST FISH

There’s nothing like gathering together a group of friends and attacking a spicy roast fish.  Select your fish by weight and choose vegetables and tofu products to toss in the mix. Just be careful for the bones!

Dugges Tropic x Stillwater Artisanal Tropic Thunder Sour Fruit Ale

Grab it from The Beer Lady for the hefty price tag of ¥70 or dig around for a cheaper sour beer.

All the rage these days, sour beers don’t agree with everyone’s palettes, but we’ve taken quite a shine to these crisp, tart, and refreshing ales. The sour and tart flavour profile includes pineapple and passion fruit and helps tone down the spice and accentuates the light texture of the fish.

SHRIMP WONTONS

This Cantonese delicacy is one of our go-to dishes for a chilly winter day. The delicious shrimp, green onion, and thin noodles have a wonderful flavour of their own that shouldn’t be completely overwhelmed with a strong Belgian Trippel or a hop-crazy American double IPA. We recommend getting some of the floral hops flavour, but in a toned down format. American-style pale ales are just what the doctor ordered.

Boulevard Pale Ale 

Get it from Shanghai9 for ¥85 per 4-pack.

A gentle touch of hops combines with smooth malts to create the ultimate wonton beer. None of the flavours overwhelm. Instead, they pair up and briing out the best of the shrimp and gentle broth.

STREET SKEWERS

Good ‘ole chuan’r, no late night out is complete with a serving of these fried meats served on the side of the street on little plastic tables. Most normal people are already asleep at 3AM and there’s no way you’re getting a craft beer this time of night. Your options are limited to what the nearest 24-hour convenient store offers.

Tsingtao

Get it from any convenience store for ¥4 to ¥7 depending on the type and size.

Founded by the Germans in the port town of Qingdao back in 1903, this brewery now commands a 15% share of the domestic beer market and actually produces a pretty drinkable light lager. We prefer the canned version as the alcohol percentage is a bit higher and the cans tend to protect the beer from developing that skunky characteristic produced when exposed to sunlight.

Keep experimenting with different types of beer and find out what’s right for you! No matter what beer snobs and afficionados say, the most important thing is finding a beer that just tastes good to you. If that means chugging down Coors Light with your meal, that’s fine, as long as it’s not Natural Light. That’s just nasty.