By Ye Jun (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-09-08 14:12

While a beer culture is brewing in China, beer here is still far from the cultural staple that it is in European countries.

In China, there are many local brands besides the most famous Yanjing and Tsingdao brands, such as the black beer produced in areas like Harbin of Northeast China's Helongjiang Province. Still, most Chinese beers look and taste the same.

In Europe, there are hundreds of beer choices available in pubs and supermarkets.

While Beijing is full of bars at party neighbourhoods like Sanlitun and Houhai, the selection of brews at most pubs is still lacking.

If you can't take long necks of Yanjing anymore or foamy mouthfuls of Tsingdao, there are a few places in the city offering up hearty European pints:

*Morel's Beijing

This unique Belgian outlet offers more than 50 imported Belgian beers, and has built up a reputation as one of the best Western restaurants in town by delivering on quality food and service. Owner Renaat Morel offers typical Belgian staples, one of which is Belgian beers. About the same size as Beijing, Belgium is home to more than 800 different beers.

In Belgium, where beer was traditionally used as an alternative to water and medicine, brews are made of fruits, chocolate, spices, and many other ingredients, besides wheat and rice. Morel's Beijing offers some of the most typical of these beers.

One representative is Trappist, the only beer brand in the world produced by monks. Morel's Beijing offers beer made at five abbeys, namely, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Achel, and Westmall.

Some other typical brands include Geuze, which is a little sour, good for summer and can be kept for at least 10 years. Delirium Tremens, one of the best beers in the world, is malty, cherry and has a fruity aftertaste.

Like wine, it's important to choose a beer that complements a meal. Usually lighter food should be accompanied by light beers, and heavier food should go with relatively strong beers. For example, Morel's Witbier is good to accompany seafood or chicken. Strong beer like Delirium can be served with beef.

At Moral's Beijing, beers are used in the dishes themselves, like Flemish beer beef stew, pork sausage with Chimay beer sauce, and grilled salmon steak covered with Rodenbach.

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