Brimming with malt aroma and a variety of shows and games - along with the arresting smile of a newly selected "beer goddess" - the 24th Qingdao International Beer Festival officially kicks of on Saturday, starting 16 days of revelry across the coastal city in Shandong province.

Since it debuted in 1991, the annual event has earned a number of honors. It has ranked among China's top 10 festivals for seven consecutive years since 2006.

"After 20 years of development, the beer festival has become the best window for the city to show its hospitality, vitality, eternal youth and energy,"said Liu Mingjun, vice-mayor of Qingdao.