While beer dates back more than 7000 years ago in China, it wasn't until the early 19th century that modern beer as we know it - produced with malt - was made in China. Today more beer is produced in China than any other country, which should come as no surprise, given China's size and population.

Today there are more than 200 brewing companies in China, primarily turning out pale lagers. Craft beers are on the rise, with dunkel beers being a recent trend. Brewpubs have opened, but again, most of the beers served there have been traditional lagers.