Tsingtao | Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd.
Brewed by:
Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd.
China | website
Style: American Adjunct Lager
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.80%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 02-20-2001
Reviews: 581 | Ratings: 1,677
3.13/5 rDev +12.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Bottle 01.02.17. Grassy and witbier-like aroma, little malt and coconut oil in background. Light golden coloured, clear. White 2 fingered head, reduces fast. Slightly sour in taste, grassy, some malt. Low grassy bitterness, nice strong aftertaste of rice. Medium to low carbonation, light body, thin texture, alcohol almost imperceptible. Quite nice as for style.
★ 363 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Bottle 01.02.17. Grassy and witbier-like aroma, little malt and coconut oil in background. Light golden coloured, clear. White 2 fingered head, reduces fast. Slightly sour in taste, grassy, some malt. Low grassy bitterness, nice strong aftertaste of rice. Medium to low carbonation, light body, thin texture, alcohol almost imperceptible. Quite nice as for style.
★ 363 characters
3.54/5 rDev +26.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Seems you'll only find this at the Chinese buffet. And let's say this pair well with Chinese food, it's not that bad a beer and will have it before Heineken anyday. But won't buy it outside say buffet
★ 200 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Seems you'll only find this at the Chinese buffet. And let's say this pair well with Chinese food, it's not that bad a beer and will have it before Heineken anyday. But won't buy it outside say buffet
★ 200 characters
2.94/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
ugg wtf is this. smells like a big fat fart upon opening and looks like bud. taste is like water with malt and corn. not to bad. not to good. kind of medicinal at the end palate. easy drinking adjunct.
★ 211 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
ugg wtf is this. smells like a big fat fart upon opening and looks like bud. taste is like water with malt and corn. not to bad. not to good. kind of medicinal at the end palate. easy drinking adjunct.
★ 211 characters
3.6/5 rDev +29%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
It's an OK beer, nothing special. It has a watery taste and the aftertaste is not the best, but I've had worse. Not sure if I will buy this one again, but give it a try if you can so you won't miss out on anything. Maybe this works on you!
★ 239 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
It's an OK beer, nothing special. It has a watery taste and the aftertaste is not the best, but I've had worse. Not sure if I will buy this one again, but give it a try if you can so you won't miss out on anything. Maybe this works on you!
★ 239 characters
2.65/5 rDev -5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Does anyone drink this outside of a Chinese Restaurant?
That's the only place I order Tsingtao and it works in that setting, but doesn't make a strong enough impression to buy it from the store. Another light weight lager like other light weight lagers which is about all I can say without being redundant.
Ok if you're preparing Chinese stir fry for friends.
★ 362 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Does anyone drink this outside of a Chinese Restaurant?
That's the only place I order Tsingtao and it works in that setting, but doesn't make a strong enough impression to buy it from the store. Another light weight lager like other light weight lagers which is about all I can say without being redundant.
Ok if you're preparing Chinese stir fry for friends.
★ 362 characters
2.56/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5
That weak ass straw yellow color, white head that fizzes up and down quickly. Doesn't leave lace. Aroma was like, nada.
Has a weak skunk, not enjoyable, I like mine pungent and with that strong lager yeast, this one is too weak. Decent with spicy food or for thirst on a hot day around the pool.
There's not much to it, highly carbonated, noble hopped in a small way, super pale malt/rice use.
This is too expensive for what it is. I only drink this when at a Chinese restaurant pretty much these days.
★ 513 characters
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5
That weak ass straw yellow color, white head that fizzes up and down quickly. Doesn't leave lace. Aroma was like, nada.
Has a weak skunk, not enjoyable, I like mine pungent and with that strong lager yeast, this one is too weak. Decent with spicy food or for thirst on a hot day around the pool.
There's not much to it, highly carbonated, noble hopped in a small way, super pale malt/rice use.
This is too expensive for what it is. I only drink this when at a Chinese restaurant pretty much these days.
★ 513 characters
2.77/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Pours clear, gold in color with 1/4 inch head. Taste is wheat, grass, and light skunkiness. Clean and light. Not bad, but I have several other favorites in the style.
★ 169 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Pours clear, gold in color with 1/4 inch head. Taste is wheat, grass, and light skunkiness. Clean and light. Not bad, but I have several other favorites in the style.
★ 169 characters
3.84/5 rDev +37.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours clear with a slim head of off white foam that fell fast. No bubbles rise after the initial flourish. head fades to some loose bubbles and a film. Nose is pleasant and surprisingly strong with grainy notes and not much hop. No diacetyl, light dms. A light floral from hop lifts the malt up to your nose in this beer. The drink is malty and has posture. It's breaddy and crisp. The hops are a bit more prominent on the palate then they were on the nose and offer a light herbal. Crisp carbonation and a finish that is clean and bitter from hops so that the malt shows me some bread one more time. I can't say that I taste the usual corn flavors that I do in most adjunct lager. It does finish with a little smooth sweetness and that was a surprise but it does not choke the finish. Light dms in the finish and maybe even just a tad bit of sulfur that starts to peek out on the nose as it warms. I think that off flavors that people are calling skunk is actually this little bit of sulfur. I like it very much.
★ 1,027 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours clear with a slim head of off white foam that fell fast. No bubbles rise after the initial flourish. head fades to some loose bubbles and a film. Nose is pleasant and surprisingly strong with grainy notes and not much hop. No diacetyl, light dms. A light floral from hop lifts the malt up to your nose in this beer. The drink is malty and has posture. It's breaddy and crisp. The hops are a bit more prominent on the palate then they were on the nose and offer a light herbal. Crisp carbonation and a finish that is clean and bitter from hops so that the malt shows me some bread one more time. I can't say that I taste the usual corn flavors that I do in most adjunct lager. It does finish with a little smooth sweetness and that was a surprise but it does not choke the finish. Light dms in the finish and maybe even just a tad bit of sulfur that starts to peek out on the nose as it warms. I think that off flavors that people are calling skunk is actually this little bit of sulfur. I like it very much.
★ 1,027 characters
2.33/5 rDev -16.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25
Smell is quite thick. Taste is short and fast, and contains almost no aromas. Easily drinkable beer, but rates under average also.
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Tuoksu on melko tunkkainen. Maku on melko pinnallinen ja nopea. Aromikkuutta ei juuri ole, vaan maku on on/off. Helposti juotava olut, mutta jää laadultaan keskitason alapuolelle.
★ 318 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25
Smell is quite thick. Taste is short and fast, and contains almost no aromas. Easily drinkable beer, but rates under average also.
/////
Tuoksu on melko tunkkainen. Maku on melko pinnallinen ja nopea. Aromikkuutta ei juuri ole, vaan maku on on/off. Helposti juotava olut, mutta jää laadultaan keskitason alapuolelle.
★ 318 characters
2.31/5 rDev -17.2%
look: 1.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.25
It's pretty much what i expected out of a chinese beer, same old same old. I just don't like the style very much but i'll always try a new beer so I don't miss out on anything.
★ 176 characters
look: 1.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.25
It's pretty much what i expected out of a chinese beer, same old same old. I just don't like the style very much but i'll always try a new beer so I don't miss out on anything.
★ 176 characters
3.13/5 rDev +12.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
I drank enough of this while in China (along with Budweiser) to decide that the Chinese drank beer for the same reason our ancestors did (the water was not good.)
This beer is listed in one of three books comprising my classical beer education.
"1001 Beers To Taste Before You Die", page 826. This is a global book and China gets two beers. (Is this a nod to the fact that their intent is to have a controlling interest in U.S. debt?
Michael Jackson 1999 "Pocket Edition" did not review because he knew what he was doing.
★ 522 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
I drank enough of this while in China (along with Budweiser) to decide that the Chinese drank beer for the same reason our ancestors did (the water was not good.)
This beer is listed in one of three books comprising my classical beer education.
"1001 Beers To Taste Before You Die", page 826. This is a global book and China gets two beers. (Is this a nod to the fact that their intent is to have a controlling interest in U.S. debt?
Michael Jackson 1999 "Pocket Edition" did not review because he knew what he was doing.
★ 522 characters
3.84/5 rDev +37.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Tsingtao ('Qingdao' in mainland pinyin) is a result of Qingdao being occupied by the Germans when the West just couldn't help itself when chopping up China. An underestimated German style lager which is light and quite strong and is perfect to match Chinese food, particularly Sichuan cuisine. Goes so well with those hot red chillis and peppercorns. Bitter tastes are not that common to the mainland Chinese palate and Tsingtao just used to sell in HK but has become popular throughout China and now the world. Chinese craft beer will bring a lot to the table and there are more happy people drinking Tsingtao this evening in China than live in your city ;-)
★ 663 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Tsingtao ('Qingdao' in mainland pinyin) is a result of Qingdao being occupied by the Germans when the West just couldn't help itself when chopping up China. An underestimated German style lager which is light and quite strong and is perfect to match Chinese food, particularly Sichuan cuisine. Goes so well with those hot red chillis and peppercorns. Bitter tastes are not that common to the mainland Chinese palate and Tsingtao just used to sell in HK but has become popular throughout China and now the world. Chinese craft beer will bring a lot to the table and there are more happy people drinking Tsingtao this evening in China than live in your city ;-)
★ 663 characters
2/5 rDev -28.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
While a China brewed beer, I had this one in Hong Kong after a 20+ hour flight from the USA. My research before traveling to China for business in April 2015 indicated this was the #1 rated beer in China. I was hopeful - I poured from a standard, green bottle into a glass.
A - nice straw color with little carbonation resulting in a slight head
S - slight hint of toasted malt, but I was to be disappointed
T - light, almost watery yet somewhat crisp (it was confusing, maybe due to the long flight)
F - left me wanting to taste China's #1 beer
Overall, the China beers were disappointing but I wanted a cultural experience! I should mention that my research notes were found on a China blog site called China Whisper. That said, not likely to be as accurate as BA ratings.
★ 780 characters
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
While a China brewed beer, I had this one in Hong Kong after a 20+ hour flight from the USA. My research before traveling to China for business in April 2015 indicated this was the #1 rated beer in China. I was hopeful - I poured from a standard, green bottle into a glass.
A - nice straw color with little carbonation resulting in a slight head
S - slight hint of toasted malt, but I was to be disappointed
T - light, almost watery yet somewhat crisp (it was confusing, maybe due to the long flight)
F - left me wanting to taste China's #1 beer
Overall, the China beers were disappointing but I wanted a cultural experience! I should mention that my research notes were found on a China blog site called China Whisper. That said, not likely to be as accurate as BA ratings.
★ 780 characters
1.75/5 rDev -37.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 1.5
Watery and bland. I kept waiting to taste something. The beer looks good, but when you drink it, nothing happens. No taste, no aroma, nothing.... I remember this being better.
★ 175 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 1.5
Watery and bland. I kept waiting to taste something. The beer looks good, but when you drink it, nothing happens. No taste, no aroma, nothing.... I remember this being better.
★ 175 characters
1.09/5 rDev -60.9%
look: 1.25 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.25
This is a very light beer. I tried it when I moved to China because a lot of my Chinese friends drink it. I don't drink it much at all because it's far too light for me. It's very ordinary in every way. The aftertaste leaves me wanting to get something else to drink. The only time I ever really have this one is when friends are having it.
★ 345 characters
look: 1.25 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.25
This is a very light beer. I tried it when I moved to China because a lot of my Chinese friends drink it. I don't drink it much at all because it's far too light for me. It's very ordinary in every way. The aftertaste leaves me wanting to get something else to drink. The only time I ever really have this one is when friends are having it.
★ 345 characters
2.53/5 rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Straw plus (4) pour with bright white head; no cap and no lace; super clear though. Light grain, corny aroma. DMS with a subtle floral taste. Lite watery mouthfeel and lite carbonation. Too much DMS in the finish and in the linger.
★ 231 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Straw plus (4) pour with bright white head; no cap and no lace; super clear though. Light grain, corny aroma. DMS with a subtle floral taste. Lite watery mouthfeel and lite carbonation. Too much DMS in the finish and in the linger.
★ 231 characters
2.44/5 rDev -12.5%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5
Poured into a pint glass from a bottle. Pale yellow color, light head, little or no lacing. Week, slightly sweet flavor that was OK. Not much choice where I was eating, but I had a great time with my daughter today! Maybe a bit generous because of this.
★ 253 characters
look: 2.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5
Poured into a pint glass from a bottle. Pale yellow color, light head, little or no lacing. Week, slightly sweet flavor that was OK. Not much choice where I was eating, but I had a great time with my daughter today! Maybe a bit generous because of this.
★ 253 characters
2.71/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Clear watery slight tan color, light Sudsy head.
Nose very light, little toasty pilsner malt, grassy notes,
Taste is light but not bad, light pilsner malt, light soft lager feel, crisp, hint grassy hop barely, mild warm lager taste not skunky our minerals just a touch of phenols I think. Finish hints at skunky like lager, semi crisp dry finish.
Mouth is light, light carb, a bit of soft lager.
★ 401 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Clear watery slight tan color, light Sudsy head.
Nose very light, little toasty pilsner malt, grassy notes,
Taste is light but not bad, light pilsner malt, light soft lager feel, crisp, hint grassy hop barely, mild warm lager taste not skunky our minerals just a touch of phenols I think. Finish hints at skunky like lager, semi crisp dry finish.
Mouth is light, light carb, a bit of soft lager.
★ 401 characters
3.2/5 rDev +14.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Perfectly clear, light yellow brew, topped by a modest white head with unfortunately poor retention.
Skunked aroma, but not the worst I've encountered; the green bottle surely doesn't help. Behind that is a layer of earthy hops and a surprisingly clean malt backbone.
Flavor is ... quite good. Really. There's absolutely zero of the creamed corn sweetness of a typical AAL. Instead, there's a reasonable amount of pale and pils malt, with a bit of sweetness that is easily balanced by a solid bitterness, coming across on the palate as slightly earthy and floral.
One of the better balanced AAL-style brews I've encountered. I don't quite put it up with, say, Spaten, but I was very pleasantly surprised overall.
★ 719 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Perfectly clear, light yellow brew, topped by a modest white head with unfortunately poor retention.
Skunked aroma, but not the worst I've encountered; the green bottle surely doesn't help. Behind that is a layer of earthy hops and a surprisingly clean malt backbone.
Flavor is ... quite good. Really. There's absolutely zero of the creamed corn sweetness of a typical AAL. Instead, there's a reasonable amount of pale and pils malt, with a bit of sweetness that is easily balanced by a solid bitterness, coming across on the palate as slightly earthy and floral.
One of the better balanced AAL-style brews I've encountered. I don't quite put it up with, say, Spaten, but I was very pleasantly surprised overall.
★ 719 characters
2.9/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Palate washer for last night.
Look- Typical straw yellow with a frothy white head that leaves no lacing. Shocker on shock street.
Smell - Straight skunk all the way through.
Taste - Well this is weird...the skunk is there but it's actually pleasant. Nice ricey grains, crisp and clear with some sweet mineral water.
Feel - Creamy for its style, sits light with moderate carbonation. Lingering sweetness.
Overall - This was pretty solid for an adjunct. This could be a perfect hot day beer.
★ 494 characters
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Palate washer for last night.
Look- Typical straw yellow with a frothy white head that leaves no lacing. Shocker on shock street.
Smell - Straight skunk all the way through.
Taste - Well this is weird...the skunk is there but it's actually pleasant. Nice ricey grains, crisp and clear with some sweet mineral water.
Feel - Creamy for its style, sits light with moderate carbonation. Lingering sweetness.
Overall - This was pretty solid for an adjunct. This could be a perfect hot day beer.
★ 494 characters
2.7/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Pours a clear golden yellow color, topped with an average frothy white head, no retention. Malty aroma, sweet grainy notes. Taste is sweet, lightly watery with minimal final bitterness. it's ok.
★ 194 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Pours a clear golden yellow color, topped with an average frothy white head, no retention. Malty aroma, sweet grainy notes. Taste is sweet, lightly watery with minimal final bitterness. it's ok.
★ 194 characters
2.6/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Light, crisp, and refreshing. Nah, I'm just kidding. Typical adjunct lager action - low in flavor and aroma, watery feel. Having been on a an AAL drinking spree - sampling different countries - this was very light and low on flavor and aroma. Take a pass.
★ 255 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Light, crisp, and refreshing. Nah, I'm just kidding. Typical adjunct lager action - low in flavor and aroma, watery feel. Having been on a an AAL drinking spree - sampling different countries - this was very light and low on flavor and aroma. Take a pass.
★ 255 characters
2.78/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75
Just your standard lager you find everywhere. Every country has their own lager. Drink it cold as it can be and preferably in hot weather eating some hot food. Once it gets warm it just gets unpleasant.
★ 202 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75
Just your standard lager you find everywhere. Every country has their own lager. Drink it cold as it can be and preferably in hot weather eating some hot food. Once it gets warm it just gets unpleasant.
★ 202 characters
3.1/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Not bad for a lager that comes in a green bottle - as long as you don't get a skunky one. Works well washing down an array of chinese food. Light in body and with a little grassy note.
★ 185 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Not bad for a lager that comes in a green bottle - as long as you don't get a skunky one. Works well washing down an array of chinese food. Light in body and with a little grassy note.
★ 185 characters
Tsingtao from Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd.
2.79
out of 5
based on 1,677 ratings.
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
It pours a light see through gold color with very little smell at all. The taste is ok but very watery. A mouthful of this does not leave much of any kind of flavor. I saw it in store any gave it a try, not impressed at all.
★ 224 characters