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{{short description|none}}
[[File:Lhasa Beer crop.jpg|thumb|right|''Lhasa Beer'', the only Tibetan beer on the world market]]
[[File:Lhasa Beer crop.jpg|thumb|right|''Lhasa Beer'', the only Tibetan beer on the world market]]
The production of '''beer in Tibet''' is a relatively recent phenomenon in [[Tibetan cuisine]]. The Chinese established the Lhasa Brewery Company in 1988, which is located in Lhasa. It is the highest brewery in the world.{{Citation needed|reason=Source needed to support claim|date=January 2020}}
The production of '''beer in Tibet''' is a relatively recent phenomenon in [[Tibetan cuisine]]. The Chinese established the Lhasa Brewery Company in 1988, which is located in [[Lhasa]].<ref name="Beijing Review 1991 p. ">{{cite book | title=Beijing Review | publisher=Beijing Review | issue=v. 34, nos. 1-25 | year=1991 | issn=1000-9140 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9gVWAAAAYAAJ | language=mt | access-date=2024-02-22 | page=}}</ref><ref name="Monitoring Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation 1988 p. ">{{cite book | title=Summary of World Broadcasts: The Far East. Weekly economic report | publisher=Monitoring Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation | issue=pt. 3 | year=1988 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VglXAAAAMAAJ | access-date=2024-02-22 | page=}}</ref>


==History==
==History==


The first historical record of beer in Tibet are Chinese, concerning a 638 peace agreement between Tang China and the new Tibetan kingdom of Songtsen Gampo include the technological transfers of silk, paper, watermill and beer production. Tang Taizong did not respect the agreement on these technical transfer, but his son, [[Tang Gaozong]], did.<ref name="Twitchett 1979 228-230">{{Harvnb|Twitchett|Fairbank (Hrsg.)|1979|pp=228–230}}.</ref>
The first historical record of beer in Tibet are Chinese, concerning a 638 peace agreement between Tang China and the new Tibetan kingdom of [[Songtsen Gampo]] include the technological transfers of silk, paper, watermill and beer production. Tang Taizong did not respect the agreement on these technical transfer, but his son, [[Tang Gaozong]], did.<ref name="Twitchett 1979 228-230">{{Harvnb|Twitchett|Fairbank (Hrsg.)|1979|pp=228–230}}.</ref>


However, somewhat contradicting the fact that alcohol is contrary to the beliefs of Tibetan Buddhism, is the fact that for centuries, [[chhaang]], a local brew of barley sold by glass at street stalls in Lhasa and across towns in Tibet has been consumed by many Tibetans and monks.<ref name="Gluckman">{{cite book|author=Gluckman, Ron|url=http://www.gluckman.com/Lhasa%27Brew.html|title=Brewing at the Top of the World|publisher=Asia, Inc.|year=1994}}</ref> In the countryside of Tibet and Nepal, [[Raksi]], a traditional distilled alcoholic beverage usually made from [[Millet|kodo]] or [[millet]] is often preferred, and despite the general prohibitive beliefs towards alcohol in Tibetan Buddhism, traditionally Raksi is often a requirement to accompany other foods at marriage ceremonies and festivals.<ref>{{cite book|author=Prakash Tamang, Jyoti|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EimHj9veADgC&q=Raksi+consumed+in+tibet&pg=PT147|title=Himalayan Fermented Foods: Microbiology, Nutrition, and Ethnic Values|publisher=CRC Press|year=2009|pages=164|isbn=978-1-4200-9324-7}}</ref>
However, somewhat contradicting the fact that alcohol is contrary to the beliefs of [[Tibetan Buddhism]], is the fact that for centuries, [[chhaang]], a local brew of barley sold by glass at street stalls in Lhasa and across towns in Tibet has been consumed by many Tibetans and monks.<ref name="Gluckman">{{cite book|author=Gluckman, Ron|url=http://www.gluckman.com/Lhasa%27Brew.html|title=Brewing at the Top of the World|publisher=Asia, Inc.|year=1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Prakash Tamang, Jyoti|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EimHj9veADgC&q=Raksi+consumed+in+tibet&pg=PT147|title=Himalayan Fermented Foods: Microbiology, Nutrition, and Ethnic Values|publisher=CRC Press|year=2009|pages=164|isbn=978-1-4200-9324-7}}</ref><ref>Alexandra David-Neel, ''Initiation and Initiates in Tibet'', trans. by Fred Rothwell, New York: University Books, 1959</ref><ref>Yu Dawchyuan, "''Love Songs of the Sixth Dalai Lama''", ''Academia Sinica Monograph'', Series A, No.5, 1930</ref><ref name="Stein, R. A. 1972 p. 85">Stein, R. A. (1972). ''Tibetan Civilization'', p. 85. Stanford University Press. {{ISBN|0-8047-0806-1}} (cloth); {{ISBN|0-8047-0901-7}} (paper).</ref>


In July 2023, the Tibet Shengbang Holding Co., Ltd. with an annual output of 300,000 tons of beer construction project was held in [[Lhasa Economic and Technological Development Zone]], and the project has entered into the substantive construction stage.<ref>{{cite news |title=拉萨啤酒新厂今日奠基，有望成为西藏唯一！_澎湃号·政务_澎湃新闻-The Paper |url=https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_23742738 |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=www.thepaper.cn}}</ref>
The rebellious [[6th Dalai Lama]], Tsangyang Gyatso, enjoyed a lifestyle that included drinking wine on the streets of Lhasa, the company of women, and writing love songs.<ref>Alexandra David-Neel, ''Initiation and Initiates in Tibet'', trans. by Fred Rothwell, New York: University Books, 1959</ref><ref>Yu Dawchyuan, "''Love Songs of the Sixth Dalai Lama''", ''Academia Sinica Monograph'', Series A, No.5, 1930</ref> However, his drinking and irresponsible behaviour was widely frowned upon by the other eminent officials in Tibet and he is believed to have been murdered in 1706 because of his lifestyle.<ref name="Stein, R. A. 1972 p. 85">Stein, R. A. (1972). ''Tibetan Civilization'', p. 85. Stanford University Press. {{ISBN|0-8047-0806-1}} (cloth); {{ISBN|0-8047-0901-7}} (paper).</ref>

==Lhasa Brewery Company==
[[File:Lhasa Beer 3.jpg|thumb|left|A large stack of beer bottles at [[Mindroling Monastery]], a stark contrast between traditional beliefs and growing outside influences]]
Factory production of beer in Tibet began in the late 1980s under the influence of the Chinese who legalised formal production and established the Lhasa Brewery in 1988 on the northern outskirts of Lhasa, south of [[Sera Monastery]]. The factory was set up with aid and expertise provided by the Romanian government who sent a team to Lhasa in 1988/89.<ref>http://www.summersdale.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=50&products_id=339&osCsid=au7or25nese09o23obgnj2eno4{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Production began in 1989 although this is disputed by some locals.<ref name="Gluckman"/> The Lhasa Brewery Company, is the highest commercial brewery in the world at 11,975 feet and accounts for 85% of contemporary beer production in Tibet.<ref name="Sun">{{cite web|url=http://www.tibetsun.com/features/2009/08/12/lhasa-beer-from-tibet-makes-us-debut/|title=Lhasa beer from Tibet makes US debut|publisher=Tibet Sun|date=August 12, 2009|accessdate=September 27, 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717053641/http://www.tibetsun.com/features/2009/08/12/lhasa-beer-from-tibet-makes-us-debut/|archivedate=July 17, 2011}}</ref>

The brewery, consisting of five story buildings, cost an estimated US$20–25 million, and by 1994, production had reached 30,000 bottles per day, employing some 200 workers by this time.<ref name="Gluckman" /> The beer produced is typically a light, sweet beer, a preference with many Chinese.<ref name="Gluckman" /> However, the factory, financially, is known to have been very poor in its first years and has shut down on numerous occasions because of supply shortages and electrical outages and has suffered from unsanitary conditions.<ref name="Gluckman" /> Little beer ever reached towns outside Lhasa because of a poor infrastructure and distribution network, and a distinct lack of a domestic market, due to religious beliefs and poverty.<ref name="Gluckman" />
{{coord|29|41|12|N|91|8|13|E|display=title}}

Since 2000, the [[Carlsberg Group|Carlsberg]] group has increased its stronghold in the Chinese market and has become increasingly influential in the country with investment and expertise. Carlsberg invested in the Lhasa Brewery in recent years and has drastically improved the brewing facility and working conditions, renovating and expanding the building to what now covers 62,240 square metres (15.3 acres).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carlsberggroup.com/Company/Markets/Pages/China.aspx|title=Carlsberg China|publisher=[[Carlsberg Group]]|accessdate=September 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324094439/http://www.carlsberggroup.com/Company/Markets/Pages/China.aspx|archive-date=2009-03-24|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="LB">{{cite web|url=http://www.lhasabeerusa.com/beer-d/the-brewery |title=The Beer |publisher=Lhasa Beer USA |accessdate=September 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706045322/http://lhasabeerusa.com/beer-d/the-brewery |archivedate=July 6, 2009 }}</ref> Carlsberg overlooked the modernization of 10 older machines with 10 new high efficiency European manufactured machines on the production line in November 2007 and has recently spent 1.395 million [[Chinese yuan|Yuan]] on the improvement of production processes to comply with global atmospheric pollution standards.<ref name="LB" /> A water purification and reuse system was established to reduce liquid waste production and today the brewery recycles the waste byproducts of [[brewer's spent grain|spent grain]] and yeast.<ref name="LB" /> Today the brewery has 250 full-time employees and 200 part-time employees, 72% of which are ethnic Tibetans, and 52% women.<ref name="LB" />

===Lhasa Beer===

''Lhasa Beer'' is the only Tibetan beer on the world market and has grown in production in recent years through the Lhasa Brewery Company's increasing connections and investment internationally by Carlsberg.<ref name="Sun"/> It is an all-malt European style lager, but is made from ingredients such as Himalayan spring water, [[barley]], [[saaz hops]] and [[yeast]].<ref name="Sun"/> However, 30 percent of the malt content derives from the huskless native Tibetan barley which is partly responsible for giving the beer its characteristic crisp clean taste, along with the aromatic saaz ingredient.<ref name="Sun"/> The beer is sold in cans, a 12-ounce bottle in packs of 6, and in 24 bottle cases,<ref name="Sun"/> with the motto "Beer from the Roof of the World".


==See also==
==See also==
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== Sources ==
== Sources ==
*{{Cite book |last1=Twitchett |first1=Denis C. |last2=Fairbank (Hrsg.) |first2=John K. |title=The Cambridge History of China : Sui and T'ang China, 589–906, vol. 3 |year=1979 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |location=Cambridge |pages=900 |isbn=0-521-21446-7 |ref=harv }}
*{{Cite book |last1=Twitchett |first1=Denis C. |last2=Fairbank (Hrsg.) |first2=John K. |title=The Cambridge History of China : Sui and T'ang China, 589–906, vol. 3 |year=1979 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |location=Cambridge |pages=900 |isbn=0-521-21446-7 }}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 39: Line 27:
*[https://yolongbrewtech.com Lhasa Brewery Partners Website]
*[https://yolongbrewtech.com Lhasa Brewery Partners Website]
{{beers of the world}}
{{beers of the world}}

⚫
[[Category:Beer in China]]
[[Category:Chinese alcoholic drinks]]
[[Category:Tibetan cuisine]]
[[Category:Tibetan cuisine]]
⚫
[[Category:Food and drink in Tibet]]

Latest revision as of 14:19, 7 July 2024

Lhasa Beer, the only Tibetan beer on the world market

The production of beer in Tibet is a relatively recent phenomenon in Tibetan cuisine. The Chinese established the Lhasa Brewery Company in 1988, which is located in Lhasa.[1][2]

History

[edit]

The first historical record of beer in Tibet are Chinese, concerning a 638 peace agreement between Tang China and the new Tibetan kingdom of Songtsen Gampo include the technological transfers of silk, paper, watermill and beer production. Tang Taizong did not respect the agreement on these technical transfer, but his son, Tang Gaozong, did.[3]

However, somewhat contradicting the fact that alcohol is contrary to the beliefs of Tibetan Buddhism, is the fact that for centuries, chhaang, a local brew of barley sold by glass at street stalls in Lhasa and across towns in Tibet has been consumed by many Tibetans and monks.[4][5][6][7][8]

In July 2023, the Tibet Shengbang Holding Co., Ltd. with an annual output of 300,000 tons of beer construction project was held in Lhasa Economic and Technological Development Zone, and the project has entered into the substantive construction stage.[9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Beijing Review (in Maltese). Beijing Review. 1991. ISSN 1000-9140. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  2. ^ Summary of World Broadcasts: The Far East. Weekly economic report. Monitoring Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. 1988. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  3. ^ Twitchett & Fairbank (Hrsg.) 1979, pp. 228–230.
  4. ^ Gluckman, Ron (1994). Brewing at the Top of the World. Asia, Inc.
  5. ^ Prakash Tamang, Jyoti (2009). Himalayan Fermented Foods: Microbiology, Nutrition, and Ethnic Values. CRC Press. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-4200-9324-7.
  6. ^ Alexandra David-Neel, Initiation and Initiates in Tibet, trans. by Fred Rothwell, New York: University Books, 1959
  7. ^ Yu Dawchyuan, "Love Songs of the Sixth Dalai Lama", Academia Sinica Monograph, Series A, No.5, 1930
  8. ^ Stein, R. A. (1972). Tibetan Civilization, p. 85. Stanford University Press. ISBN 0-8047-0806-1 (cloth); ISBN 0-8047-0901-7 (paper).
  9. ^ "拉萨啤酒新厂今日奠基，有望成为西藏唯一！_澎湃号·政务_澎湃新闻-The Paper". www.thepaper.cn. Retrieved 22 February 2024.

Sources

[edit]
[edit]
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