The old communist country, China, is now the world’s No. 1 beer producer, according to a survey released by Kirin Brewery Co. China produced 235.8 million hectoliters in 2002, which is 5 % up from 2001. China is now ahead of USA (No. 2) and Germany (No. 3) Brazil is No. 4 and Russia is up one place to No. 5. Japan dropped to sixth place. The main brewing force in China is Tsingtao Brewery with 13% of Chinese beer market, where about 500 brewers sell beer.

02 September, 2003