1. Qingdao International Beer Festival August-September

The Tsingdao (pronounced Ching-dow) Brewery was founded in 1903 by German settlers as a joint German-British venture. Today, it claims about 12% of China’s domestic beer share. The breweries logo displays an image of Zhan Qiao, Qingdao’s famous pier. The brewery was originally intended as a way to produce German style beer for Europeans living in China at the turn of the century. In 1915, the brewery was confiscated from the German management by the Japanese, who bought the British shares in the company. After 1945, control of the brewery was handed to the Chinese. The company was a state-owned enterprise until the early 90s. Today 27% of the company is owned by Anheuser-Busch, he American beer company. Tsingdao is China’s most internationally recognized beer, and one of Qingdao’s most famous companies. Since 1991, the brewery has held the annual Tsingdao International Beer Festival during the second week of August. The event was postponed in 2008 until September 19 due to the Olympics. The slogan of the event is “Qingdao – Ganbei with the World!” The festival features a “Beer Carnival,” with beer tasting, games, and parades.