Quenching the nation's new found thirst for ale

"With their strict quality control measures, the team will ensure the crispness, color and alcohol content will comply with the requirements of the original recipes and ensure each drop of bottled craft beer will achieve its full flavor potential," says Aidar.

"All the beers are guaranteed to be fresh because they are made locally," he says. "We will also put more energy into attending trade fairs, putting on events and visiting bars to promote our products."

To further explore regional markets, Aidar says the key lies in continuous innovation to develop localized recipes.

"The charm of craft beer lies in innovation," Aidar says. "China's deep history and culture will become an endless source of inspiration for the brewery."

He says the company has already promoted a special craft beer combining signature elements from the Goose Island and the Shangri-La Highland Craft breweries.

This January, ZX Ventures also released its first local craft beer, Han Yang Zao, which drew inspiration from the long history of Wuhan.

Beside the brewery, ZX Ventures has also teamed up with Hubei Light Industry Technology Institute& Brewing Technologies Academy, a Wuhan-based academy specializing in beer brewing to help cultivate future industry experts. Titled the New Brewing Generation, the program jointly launched by ZX Ventures and BTA aims to combine industry with academia.

Xu Bing, president of the Hubei Light Industry Technology Institute, says: "Through a high-standard platform like the New Brewing Generation, our students will be able to access more advanced and comprehensive teaching methods and practices. We are confident that they will be able to add value to China's craft brewing industry, and help China's own craft beer recipes shine around the world."