(Photo : Getty Images) China is poised to become the world's largest consumer of craft beer in terms of value this year.


China is set to become the world's largest consumer of craft beer, a new report from Drink Sector claimed.



Demand of craft beer in China has significantly increased and will make it the biggest global drinker of beer in value terms this year, according to The Morning Advertiser. China, which already holds the title for the world's largest alcohol consumer, has depended on import from larger breweries like Germany in recent years.



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However, such trend is starting to decline as consumers seek for beers brewed by small-time producers. The study further revealed that the Chinese beer market will beat the US in value this year. Plus, a rising number of domestic brewers are starting to launch their products in the country, thanks to the demand of the middle-income consumers who are willing to trade foreign and premium imported products.



"In particular, small and medium-sized craft breweries are well suited to target their brands in China at a niche segment of affluent and middle-class consumers who desire to trade up through purchases of premium foreign products," the report said.



Meanwhile, China's love for beer comes to no surprise as it is also the home to ancient beer. In 2015, a 5,000-year-old brewery has been discovered on the country's Neolithic site, and scientists believe it is the earliest evidence of barley- and millet-based beer making in China.



Now, two breweries, namely, Beijing's Jing-A Brewing Co and Hong Kong's Moonzen Brewery, are producing beer inspired from the scientists' findings. Both firms are producing the original beer recipe, giving the modern world an ancient taste.




Tagsbeer market, china, craft beer, brewed beer, alcohol