hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Tsingtao Bainian Zhi Lü

Tsingtao Brewery
Tap to rate
🌍 China · Amber Lager · One of 22 Amber Lagers in hopIQ

Tsingtao Bainian Zhi Lü, whose name means centennial journey, was introduced in July 2020. It is brewed at 15 °P from a blend of four malts, some kilned in five rounds, with European noble hops and the house yeast, and fermented cold in two tanks for longer than the brewery's standard lagers. It pours amber at around 20 EBC. Rich malt leads, with caramel from the specialty malts woven through hop and fruit notes. A brief bitterness passes quickly, and the finish is soft and lingering.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber12
See all Amber Lager alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Lean body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

A sharp texture drives the beer — a clean, direct pour with room for the palate to fill in.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Amber Lager.
Hop character
noble hop
hoppy
Malt character
malty
caramel
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
clean

FEATURED IN

#6 of 50The Best Chinese Lagers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Tsingtao Bainian Zhi Lü

Appearance

Pours a clear amber hue, luminous and inviting, with fine carbonation evident throughout the glass. The head is modest but stable, with good retention and lacing that clings to the glass as you drink. The overall presentation is clean and bright, befitting a traditional lager.

amber, clearpersistent headfine carbonation

Aroma

The nose leads with toasted malt and caramel sweetness from the multi-kiln specialty malts, creating a warm, inviting character. Noble hops contribute a restrained herbal and floral undertone, while subtle fruity esters from extended cold fermentation add complexity without overwhelming. The overall impression is balanced and refined, with no sharp edges.

toasted maltcaramel sweetnessnoble hopssubtle fruitiness

Taste

Entry is full and malty, with caramel notes woven through a soft, well-rounded body. The mid-palate develops a gentle bitterness from the European noble hops, which passes quickly without asserting dominance. The finish transitions smoothly from malt to a clean, lingering aftertaste that invites another sip.

malt-forwardcaramel richnessgentle bitternesssmooth body

Finish

The finish is soft and lingering, with the malt character gradually fading into a clean, slightly dry aftertaste. No harshness or astringency; instead, a gentle warmth from the 6% ABV persists pleasantly.

soft, lingeringclean aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
79
Appearance
80
Finish
77
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Tsingtao Bainian Zhi Lü

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein
Recommended for this style

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Tsingtao Bainian Zhi Lü

About Amber Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Amber Lager?

Amber Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Amber Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same malty, noble-hop, caramel character as Tsingtao Bainian Zhi Lü will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Amber Lagers in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Amber Lager beers in hopIQ →Browse China beers →