In 2010, China overtook Japan to become the world's second largest economy and most experts believe it will only be two or three decades before it becomes number one, officially making the U.S. it's bitch. As shown in a recent article by 24/7 Wall St, China has already surpassed the U.S. in a number of industries that America is traditionally considered to be the world leader - you can view them above. more ›

If ordering delivery and drinking specialty beers are your two special loves in life, then get ready to push that sweatpantsed significant other off the couch and replace them with a cold assorted case of Belgian Trappists, American ambers, British ales and Japanese microbrews! All delivered straight to your home by diligent wings of the gods delivery guys from Cheers In! Shanghai's only imported beer boutique is now officially delivering their stock to our fine city's thirsty-but-picky homebodies. more ›

Despite a genetic curse that renders half the population unable to drink the stuff without turning beet red, Chinese people have been downing beer for tens of thousands of years. And now you can drink their 9000-year-old beer recipes as well. more ›

Shanghaiist and Boxing Cat Brewery present THE DUKES OF HAZZARD DO SHANGHAI! 4th of July, 2010 11 am to 4 pm Boxing Cat Brewery 82 Fuxing Xi Lu, near Yongfu Lu ALL YOU CAN EAT AND DRINK Beer, wine, house pours, burgers, dogs, wings & sides galore! more ›

Maybe it's a sign that Xiao Zi (the yuppies of China) really are taking over: Tsingtao's new ads, designed by Ogilvy & Mather, are in English even though they plan to be shown just here in China. more ›

• Abbey Road, the vaguely Beatles-themed pub which shut down for just a little while to "refresh," will be opening up again on January 7 AND they're extending their daily happy hour to 8pm. Opening party is this Friday (you get one free drink if you go).
• There's been significantly more dark ales and microbrews popping up in China, which means (glee!) we might finally be getting some beer culture. We'll believe it when we see something better than Reeb in the Kuaidi. [CNNgo]
• To make up for ragging on the USA Pavilion Expo team yesterday, here's a cool little fact about them: One of the Shanghai Expo Inc. trifecta, Nick Winslow, supervised the special effects for Star Trek - The Movie and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. [Urbanatomy]

We've told you about chef cum entrepreneur extraordinaire Eduardo Vargas and the many, many pots he has his hands in around Shanghai's culinary scene. The latest, and potentially greatest, is the unassumingly chic Bistro Burger, down on the Fumin-Donghu expat strip. Trust us, it's worth it. more ›

Oh no! Due to some unforeseen issues with "The Man," Swedish rockers The (International) Noise Conspiracy won't be playing tonight at Yuyintang or at the Modern Sky festival in Beijing this weekend. Word has it they're still in China, so they're definitely still international, but sadly they've been banned from being either noisy or conspiratorial. As a form of consolation, Heart Attack has put together a special Indie night with guest dj's Jeans Team supported by Desert Fuck Eagle & Sacco. It's not the same as INC, but there will be 15 RMB beer all night, and there's even a chance that Dennis Lyxzén might show up. more ›

Oh boy. Yesterday I got completely soaked, lost my phone, and was inappropriately goosed by a really drunk Chinese guy, but it was still one of the best days I've had recently. I'm thoroughly impressed by how nice people are in this city - coming from Shanghai to here is like heading from New York City to Cleveland. But with beaches. more ›

• After Jiaozhou Bay was ceded to the Germans in May 1897, the small fishing village of Qingdao turned into the military hub of the German Navy. The city became the naval nerve center of all German operations in the Pacific ocean. It was the Germans, homesick and in great need of beer, who constructed and opened the hallmark Tsingtao Brewery in 1903.
• In the antebellum period of World War I, the Germans were forced to Flee after the British and Japanese combined forces and laid siege to the outpost. The Japanese maintained control over the city (and the brewery) until 1922, when it was returned to China. But in 1937, the Japanese reoccupied the city as part of their expansion into mainland China.
• After World War II, the city served as a U.S. naval port for a brief period before the founding of the PRC.

The following post is from our advertiser Ctrip To commemorate the annual pukefest celebration of life we call the Qingdao Beer Festival, we'll be turning into Qingdaoist in late August. We hear the fest, which spans from August 15 to August 30 is well worth the trip, so if you're a fan of beer and fun, you should think about coming too. Get a jump start making your way through the madness by booking through our friends at Ctrip, who have compiled all their flight deals to Qingdao here (flights from Shanghai start from just 500RMB). Come, not just for the beers but also to see a veritable cultural mashup when everyone begins using the nectar of the Gods as a diplomatic lubricant. more ›

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. more ›

The next Shanghaiist Happy Hour at Cotton's on Xinhua Lu falls on the one-year anniversary of the devastating Sichuan earthquake, so we have decided to team with Hands On Chengdu, an organization committed to supporting the long term redevelopment of the areas affected by the earthquake for this Tuesday's gathering. Entry to the Happy Hour is free, but we'll be holding a lucky draw with some great donated prizes — all proceeds will go to Hands On Chengdu. Hands On Chengdu will have an informational booth at the happy hour and will be accepting donations and signing up volunteers on site. more ›

Shanghaiist has much love for Kelley Lee and her quest to bring good food and drink to the people of Shanghai. more ›

Everyone in China probably knows about the phenomenon called the "Asian blush" - when a compatriot who's had barely half a beer turns as red as a beet. more ›

Many Shanghai beer lovers have been wondering recently what happened to their favorite American microbrews. Lots of previously available beers have been unavailable in recent weeks and rumors have been swirling that American Craft Beer Partners, importers of some of Shanghai's best beers, are calling it quits. more ›

Fans of Bulldog's Thursday trivia nights can now get a double dose of factual fun every week. more ›

Thanks to everyone who came out Saturday night to celebrate with us. And a special thanks to Cotton's, American Craft Beer Partners and, of course, Santa Claus for making it all possible. Happy Holidays! more ›

At tomorrow's big holiday party at Cotton's on Xinhua Lu, get your photo taken with Santa Claus — or Father Christmas, if you swing that way — between 8:30 and 11:30 pm (Santa likes to hit the bars on Tongren at about midnight). Shanghai-based photographer Stephen Yang will be taking professional portraits (lights and everything) of party guests chilling with Santa in Santa's VIP room (behind the first-floor bar). All party-goers are welcome ... and it doesn't cost you a thing. We'll post the pics on Shanghaiist early next week. more ›

Shanghaiist recently enjoyed a few nonfat egg nogs with DJ El Nomo, who promises to make the Shanghaiist/Cotton's holiday party "the wildest holiday blowout ever held at Cotton's on Xinhua Lu." A tall task indeed. You may recognize El Nomo from such weblogs as Shanghai Bananas. And, of course, he is ranked No. 1 worldwide in the controversial Gothamist DJ Rankings. The following is a transcript of our unfiltered discussion with Asia's very own wizard of wax. more ›

Early weather reports for the weekend are looking quite nice, so it looks like late-December outdoor seating will be a definite possibility at the Shanghaiist/Cotton's holiday party this Saturday at the new Cotton's on Xinhua Lu (pictured). And if the outdoor heaters (and bar) aren't cozy enough for you, head on inside the villa for the real wood-burning fireplaces (and more bars). And DJ El Nomo! more ›

As credit crunches, and exchange rates plummet, it's time for fancy cocktails to step aside for our old favourite: cheap beer. more ›

Smart Shanghai more ›

A nice crowd of beer lovers gathered at Southern Barbarian on Saturday afternoon to ... well ... drink beer. Very good beer. And eat food. Very good food. Mission accomplished. For attendees who left with minds foggy thanks to the strong beers, these photos should jog your memory. Yes, you did drink that much. more ›

Around three hours until our craft beer tasting at Southern Barbarian. Plenty of time to take in "A Better Brew: The rise of extreme beer," Burkhard Bilger's story in the latest New Yorker. That should get you in the mood. See you soon. more ›

Coming up this weekend - Shanghaiist's picks for winter party animals. And let's hear no more excuses about cold weather. Unless you insist on sitting in the beer garden, most pubs and clubs are pretty warm inside. So without further ado, find our recommendations after the jump... more ›

Updating yesterday's list of Lucky Draw prizes for Saturday's beer tasting at Southern Barbarian, Sherpa's has generously offered RMB 500 in vouchers as a prize. See you Saturday. Come thirsty. more ›

Our big beer event at Southern Barbarian this weekend is just a few days away, so it's time to give you a few more details. Below you will find a complete list of the beers on offer for unlimited tastings. But first, let's run down the event's lucky draw prizes (everyone who attends will automatically be entered into the drawing): more ›

SH mag food guru Chris St. Cavish somehow got his hands on two free passes to the Shanghaiist beer tasting at Southern Barbarian. Check out his latest column for details on how you can win a ticket from SH. (And everyone loves a good sandwich joke. Those never get old.) more ›