The Tsingtao Brewery

We found our way to the Tsingtao Brewery, China's most popluar beer.

Our Lonely Planet mentioned that the only way to get a tour of the plant was to go with a tour group, but we decided not to and take our chances of going there ourselves.

We are happy to report that you can tour part of the plant and some historic buildings for 50 Yuan per person. No guide required (which is better because you can go at your own pace).

We paid the money and proceeded through. The first building is one of the original buildings from 1903 and now houses old artifacts and gives information on the history of the brewery. Very interesting to note that when Japan invaded, they took over the brewery and Tsingtao was being sold along side Sapporo, Asahi and Kirin beers! Very cool.

The second building shows the making of beer. It's all displays but still interesting to walk through. No mention of any fish guts here! Just the best hops and mineral water from nearby Laoshan.

We then hit a small bar where we were treated to fresh Tsingtao on tap, and some beer nuts! YUM! It hit the spot after all the walking.

The last part of the tour has you going through the bottling and canning lines. Very cool to see. Reminded me of the starting credits to Laverne and Shirley. Anyone remember that show? :)

After the bottling we ended back in the Tsingtao Pub where we were again treated to more free beer. This time Jenni and I had to share a pitcher. I'm not complaining as this beer was so damned good. It went down like nothing and I found myself getting all happy! We picked up our free glasses, but I wanted the ones with the Beijing Olympics on them so I staggered up to the bar and in my best Chinese, asked the guy if they sold them. He said yes, then Jenni had the idea of swapping our glasses with those so we went back and somehow, with broken Chinese, managed to swap glasses! Cool.

GO Tsingtao!

Oh and I am happy to report that according to Mexican authorities, beer IS a health food so everyone DRINK UP!!! :)