About Great leap brewing
Great Leap Brewing: A Pioneer in the Chinese Craft Beer Industry
Great Leap Brewing, founded in 2010, is the first local craft beer brand in Beijing. With multiple brand stores and products covering different restaurants, bars, and KA markets across major cities in China, Great Leap Brewing has become a household name for beer enthusiasts. The company also boasts an Asia-modern brewery located in Tianjin that uses locally sourced ingredients such as Chinese hops and malt as well as spices, tea leaves, honey, Sichuan peppercorns, coffee beans and other agricultural products to create unique flavors.
Since 2014 when it started representing China's local brewing philosophy on the world stage with its award-winning beers, Great Leap Brewing has been recognized by both domestic and international craft beer awards. The company's commitment to quality ingredients and innovative brewing techniques have made it a leader in the Chinese craft beer industry.
The History of Great Leap Brewing
Great Leap Brewing was founded by Carl Setzer who had a passion for homebrewing while living in the United States. After moving to Beijing with his wife Liu Fang who shared his love for craft beer culture they decided to start their own brewery.
In 2010 they opened their first location near Houhai Lake which quickly became popular among locals and expats alike. They soon expanded their business with more locations throughout Beijing including Sanlitun Village North where they opened their flagship store.
In 2013 they opened up a new location at Doujiao Hutong which was designed to be more of a taproom than a restaurant or bar. This location allowed them to experiment with new recipes on smaller batches before scaling up production at their main brewery.
In 2015 Great Leap opened its first overseas location in Washington DC which helped introduce American consumers to Chinese-style beers brewed using traditional methods but incorporating local ingredients like Sichuan peppercorns or jasmine tea leaves into some of its brews.
The Great Leap Brewing Philosophy
Great Leap Brewing's philosophy is to create beers that are unique and flavorful while using locally sourced ingredients. They believe in supporting local farmers and businesses by sourcing their ingredients from nearby farms and markets.
The company also believes in sustainability, using recycled materials for packaging and reducing waste wherever possible. They have implemented a closed-loop system where spent grains from the brewing process are used as feed for local livestock.
Great Leap Brewing's commitment to quality extends beyond just the ingredients they use. They employ a team of experienced brewers who use traditional brewing techniques combined with modern technology to create high-quality craft beers that stand out from the competition.
The Beers of Great Leap Brewing
Great Leap Brewing offers a wide range of beers, including year-round staples like their Honey Ma Gold, Pale Ale #6, and East City Porter. They also offer seasonal brews like their Winter Honey Wheat or Summer Honey Ale which incorporate seasonal flavors into their recipes.
One of their most popular brews is the Chinese Herbal Stout which uses traditional Chinese herbs like goji berries, licorice root, and chrysanthemum flowers to create a unique flavor profile that is both sweet and savory.
Another popular beer is the Iron Buddha Blonde which incorporates tea leaves from Hangzhou's famous Longjing tea into its recipe giving it a subtle tea flavor with hints of honey sweetness.
In addition to its regular lineup of beers, Great Leap also offers limited edition releases throughout the year such as barrel-aged stouts or sour beers made with locally sourced fruit.
Conclusion
Great Leap Brewing has become an iconic brand in China's craft beer industry thanks to its commitment to quality ingredients, innovative brewing techniques, and dedication to sustainability. With multiple locations across major cities in China as well as an overseas location in Washington DC they have introduced people around the world to Chinese-style craft beer brewed using traditional methods but incorporating local flavors into some of its brews. If you're a beer enthusiast looking for unique and flavorful brews, Great Leap Brewing is definitely worth checking out.