Qingdao International Beer Festival to kick off

By Xie Chuanjiao and Dai Yan (China Daily Qingdao Bureau)

The largest Asian beer festival, Qingdao International Beer Festival, is scheduled to begin on August 13. The festival will be held in the coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province and will last for 16 days, according to sources from the organizing committee of the festival.

This year's theme is "Qingdao Cheers the World", featuring an opening ceremony, a beer-drinking competition, an economic and trade show and a closing ceremony, says Yang Jujun, director of the Festival. Organizers have also prepared toasting songs for visitors this year.

"Famous bands from Europe, Asia, America and Africa will take part in the annual art tour with passionate cachucha, samba, genuine aboriginal dance and darobokkas, presenting a lively cultural feast for the expected 10,000 visitors," Yang said.

Visitors will be lucky to taste beers from all over the world. World top ten beer brands such as Budweiser, Carlsberg, Heineken, Beck`s, Corona, Kirin, Asahi and Tiger are to take part in the event.

"There are 17 beer booths in the 30,000-square-killometer exposition area waiting for visitors," Yang told China Daily.

The festival is also known as a carnival for natives and foreigners. The first Qingdao beer festival opened on June 23, 1991, and has been held annually ever since.

"The Qingdao International Beer Festival is now an international event, combination tourism, culture and sport. It plays a valuable role in promoting the city's economic development," said Qingdao Mayor Xia Geng.