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Yanjing: A Beer to Share with Friends
Two of the best things about living poised at the edge of the Pacific Rim in Vancouver are the natural
setting, and the diversity – of place, people and taste. You can negotiate a few snowy moguls on the
North Shore in the morning, then lean back on a sun-lit ocean side patio in the afternoon. What we
love most is to choose from an array of cultural activities and outdoor experiences, then to pick a fun
place to socialize. There’s nothing like topping the day off with a good meal in the company of good
friends... highlighted by a fine beer!
What a pleasure to have newly discovered a brew that is perfectly reflective of the West Coast palate
and lifestyle with its crystal clarity and super crisp freshness – Yanjing Beer. Beijing Yanjing Brewery,
the largest brewery in Asia, is the state beer of China and a major official sponsor of the 2008 Beijing
Summer Olympic Games. Not surprisingly, Yanjing is gaining a solid popular presence among
discerning Canadian Lager lovers with its clean flavour, pure quality, and healthful benefits.
When sharing a glass with friends lately, Yanjing poured out with a sparkling golden hue producing a
pleasant white head, gentle bubbles, and a light hoppy nose. On the palate, a cold Yanjing balances
crisp malt with a clean light finish alluding to the natural mineral spring water. The quality of the pure
sweet mountain water used greatly impacts the delicious taste, as well as the premium Chinese
rice. While Yanjing is the ancient name for the city of Beijing, the brewing methods are nothing but
the most impeccable and modern using state of the art German Krones and Chinese technology.
Great recognition world-wide has included the international gold award at Brussels, and here on our
West Coast shore we find the result is a delectably smooth nutritionally superior beer ideal for active
Canadians.
While we relaxed after a day of snow-shoeing, Yanjing quenched our thirst with its bright flavour, and
superb paired with savoury appies ranging from zesty chicken wings to edamame and prawns. As
Asian culture is integral to Vancouver heritage, and with Chinese New Year celebrations impending
at the time we met, we envisioned the aptness of Yanjing beer with lettuce wraps (a personal
favourite), pot stickers, and Peking duck. Whereever you go, from spicy Szechuan restaurants, to high
end Dim Sum in Vancouver, you can find Yanjing beer… We made plans to enjoy another
memorable day with friends complemented with our new winning choice, premiumYanjing beer!
Yanjing: To your health!
Leonora Grande, 2008
Kong Yiji ~ Shaoxing Apertif
“Warm a bowl of wine...” (Words from the notorious fictional character, Kong Yiji,
in the short story by the same name written by the famed father of Chinese literature, Lu Xun)
From the outset, Kong Yiji is a delightful surprise for senses. This Shaoxing Aperitif, a Chinese rice
wine aged eight years, fills the glass with a deep amber hue. Later, I find it is traditionally enjoyed in
small porcelain cups in the same manner that Japanese sake is consumed, which would suit it well,
as it is definitely meant to be slowly sipped and savoured. Kong Yiji delivers a lovely gentle kick
perceived somewhat higher than its 11% alcohol content.
Technically, this strongly flavoured elixir is fermented from a grain rather than a fruit, as it contains
water, fermented rice, with some added wheat, but has a unique personality all its own with no
similarity to beer, and is quite distinctive from sake. What one notices first is the rich golden colour.
Chilled, or slightly above room temperature, Kong Yiji has the elegant attributes and disposition of a
fine dry sherry. Lingering, alluring nut and blossom-like almond aromas are clearly delivered. While
mid-sweet initially, Kong Yiji does not sit heavily on the palate and mellows quietly, balanced with a
pleasant near-bitter mouth feel to finish. The liquid can be warmed to further draw out flavour; this
brings out mellow notes and complexity that compare most favourably to sake. Used in cooking,
Kong Yiji produces superior results.
Reading the data attesting to the positive health benefits of this beverage, I do indeed pour myself a
second glass. Kong Yiji continues the centuries old tradition of being a nutritious, healing tonic
which is full of vitamins, beneficial fats, and essential amino acids, and acts as a free radical
scavenger and immune system builder.
This best and most renowned and genuine of Shaoxing liquors comes from the province of the same
name in eastern China. The expert process is very unfamiliar to the western understanding, as the
non-glutinous rice is steeped in water from famed Jianhu Lake, steamed, with wheat yeast added,
fermentation following, and aging in earthenware pots for many years, maturing in the world’s largest
wine storehouse. Shaoxing Kong Yiji, with a 2500-year-old history in wine-brewing, is highly
honoured world-wide with many gold medals and top awards from as far away as Madrid, Spain. My
final unequivocable decision: in deference to the imperial Chinese edict of 1116 B.C. that indulgence
in moderation is required by heaven, Kong Yiji is one delicious centuries-old potion I plan to enjoy for
many future years to come.
- Leonora Grande, © January 2008
Two of the best things about living poised at the edge of the Pacific Rim in Vancouver are the natural
setting, and the diversity – of place, people and taste. You can negotiate a few snowy moguls on the
North Shore in the morning, then lean back on a sun-lit ocean side patio in the afternoon. What we
love most is to choose from an array of cultural activities and outdoor experiences, then to pick a fun
place to socialize. There’s nothing like topping the day off with a good meal in the company of good
friends... highlighted by a fine beer!
What a pleasure to have newly discovered a brew that is perfectly reflective of the West Coast palate
and lifestyle with its crystal clarity and super crisp freshness – Yanjing Beer. Beijing Yanjing Brewery,
the largest brewery in Asia, is the state beer of China and a major official sponsor of the 2008 Beijing
Summer Olympic Games. Not surprisingly, Yanjing is gaining a solid popular presence among
discerning Canadian Lager lovers with its clean flavour, pure quality, and healthful benefits.
When sharing a glass with friends lately, Yanjing poured out with a sparkling golden hue producing a
pleasant white head, gentle bubbles, and a light hoppy nose. On the palate, a cold Yanjing balances
crisp malt with a clean light finish alluding to the natural mineral spring water. The quality of the pure
sweet mountain water used greatly impacts the delicious taste, as well as the premium Chinese
rice. While Yanjing is the ancient name for the city of Beijing, the brewing methods are nothing but
the most impeccable and modern using state of the art German Krones and Chinese technology.
Great recognition world-wide has included the international gold award at Brussels, and here on our
West Coast shore we find the result is a delectably smooth nutritionally superior beer ideal for active
Canadians.
While we relaxed after a day of snow-shoeing, Yanjing quenched our thirst with its bright flavour, and
superb paired with savoury appies ranging from zesty chicken wings to edamame and prawns. As
Asian culture is integral to Vancouver heritage, and with Chinese New Year celebrations impending
at the time we met, we envisioned the aptness of Yanjing beer with lettuce wraps (a personal
favourite), pot stickers, and Peking duck. Whereever you go, from spicy Szechuan restaurants, to high
end Dim Sum in Vancouver, you can find Yanjing beer… We made plans to enjoy another
memorable day with friends complemented with our new winning choice, premiumYanjing beer!
Yanjing: To your health!
Leonora Grande, 2008
Kong Yiji ~ Shaoxing Apertif
“Warm a bowl of wine...” (Words from the notorious fictional character, Kong Yiji,
in the short story by the same name written by the famed father of Chinese literature, Lu Xun)
From the outset, Kong Yiji is a delightful surprise for senses. This Shaoxing Aperitif, a Chinese rice
wine aged eight years, fills the glass with a deep amber hue. Later, I find it is traditionally enjoyed in
small porcelain cups in the same manner that Japanese sake is consumed, which would suit it well,
as it is definitely meant to be slowly sipped and savoured. Kong Yiji delivers a lovely gentle kick
perceived somewhat higher than its 11% alcohol content.
Technically, this strongly flavoured elixir is fermented from a grain rather than a fruit, as it contains
water, fermented rice, with some added wheat, but has a unique personality all its own with no
similarity to beer, and is quite distinctive from sake. What one notices first is the rich golden colour.
Chilled, or slightly above room temperature, Kong Yiji has the elegant attributes and disposition of a
fine dry sherry. Lingering, alluring nut and blossom-like almond aromas are clearly delivered. While
mid-sweet initially, Kong Yiji does not sit heavily on the palate and mellows quietly, balanced with a
pleasant near-bitter mouth feel to finish. The liquid can be warmed to further draw out flavour; this
brings out mellow notes and complexity that compare most favourably to sake. Used in cooking,
Kong Yiji produces superior results.
Reading the data attesting to the positive health benefits of this beverage, I do indeed pour myself a
second glass. Kong Yiji continues the centuries old tradition of being a nutritious, healing tonic
which is full of vitamins, beneficial fats, and essential amino acids, and acts as a free radical
scavenger and immune system builder.
This best and most renowned and genuine of Shaoxing liquors comes from the province of the same
name in eastern China. The expert process is very unfamiliar to the western understanding, as the
non-glutinous rice is steeped in water from famed Jianhu Lake, steamed, with wheat yeast added,
fermentation following, and aging in earthenware pots for many years, maturing in the world’s largest
wine storehouse. Shaoxing Kong Yiji, with a 2500-year-old history in wine-brewing, is highly
honoured world-wide with many gold medals and top awards from as far away as Madrid, Spain. My
final unequivocable decision: in deference to the imperial Chinese edict of 1116 B.C. that indulgence
in moderation is required by heaven, Kong Yiji is one delicious centuries-old potion I plan to enjoy for
many future years to come.
- Leonora Grande, © January 2008
