Three cheers for Qingdao Beerfest!

By Jonathan Chow

Looking for an excuse to travel out of Shanghai this August? Maybe you ought to try for the infamous Qingdao International Beer Festival starting next week. From August 15-30, the city of Qingdao will host China's biggest and baddest annual beerfest. The event draws people, brews, and munchies from all over China and the world.

Unlike Oktoberfest in Munich, which showcases local German beers, Qingdao brings in brews from around the globe. Over 100 beer brands have been known to participate. The atmosphere is alleged to be incredibly friendly and you can expect to receive copious amounts of free beer to “ganbei” with - sounds like going to a two-week long frat party (hopefully without the crappy frat-holes)!

The venue takes place along the sandy Shilaoren beaches of Qingdao International Beer City. In the past, the festival has seen parades, carnival games, beer tastings, drinking competitions, live music performances, and even karaoke contests.

The festival begins with an opening ceremony, followed by 16 days of beer-related shenanigans, and concludes with a final closing ceremony.

When: August 15-30, 9:00-22:00 (daily), Cover: 10RMB (09:00 - 15:00), 20RMB (15:00 - 22:00)

Where: Qingdao International Beer City
195 Xiang Gang East Rd.
Corner of Xiang Gang and Haier Rd.
Laoshan District > Shi Lao Ren Beach Area
Qingdao, Shandong Province. P.R. China
青岛国际啤酒城, 香港中路195号, 中国山东省青岛市