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Highland barley beer from China's Tibet enters US market

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-27 15:14

A local barley beer brewer in this capital of southwest China's Tibet autonomous region expects to sell more products to the United States in the second half of next year.

According to orders from its American dealer, Dzambuling, Lhasa Beer Co, Ltd will supply 1,000 tons, or 2.78 million bottles, of barley beer to the United States every month since next July, Norbu Tsering, the company's deputy general manager, told Xinhua Tuesday.

The company sold its first batch of beer, totalling 272,160 bottles, under the locally famous brand of Lhasa, to the United States in August. This was the first time the Tibetan beer brewer exported its products.

Norbu Tsering said the second batch of more than 216,900 bottles have been delivered to the American market.

Related readings:  China's beer production to hit the top for eighth year  Qingdao Beer Festival opens its taps  Higher beer prices boost Carlsberg  Tibet GDP grows 11.4% in January-September period

The acceptance of Lhasa beer by the US market meant the Tibetan company's products had all met requirements in quality and production process by the American buyers, said an official with the regional commerce bureau.

The beer, 350 mg each bottle, is produced from both highland barley yielded on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau and malt from Australian wheat, according to Norbu Tsering.

Adapted to the American taste, Lhasa beer sold to the United States has alcohol content higher than that sold in China.

Despite the ongoing global economic downturn, Norbu Tsering said, his company expected a 30 percent annual growth in output this year, which would reach 85,000 tons.

To meet demand from its American dealer, Lhasa Beer has decided to ask its partner for help. The partner, Tibet Heaven and Earth Green Drink Company, is ready to begin operation next March with a designed annual production capacity of 200,000 tons of barley beer. It will produce barley beer for the Lhasa Beer company under the brand name "Lhasa" with technology and formular provided by Lhasa Beer.