We had lunch at Xibei Youmian again and I discovered that this famous chain of restaurants serving food from China’s Northwest (Xibei means northwest) has added a craft beer of its own to its new menu list. It is produced by KDB Brewing in Fuyang, Anhui.

The product is called Oat Beer, because oat is one of the three malts used to brew this beer: barley malt, wheat malt and oat malt.

The beer has a strong body: 12.5% and more alcohol than the typical Chinese pilsner: 5%. This beer indeed has a much fuller mouthfeel than sweetish light domestic beer. The price is also a little higher. A small bottle costs you RMB 13. It is worth it, and while I am a wine drinker and usually would prefer red wine Xibei’s food, I may actually be tempted to get an Oat Beer again the next time.

Peter Peverelli is active in and with China since 1975 and regularly travels to the remotest corners of that vast nation.