China's Snow is like water - and now it's bigger than Bud

What Belgian people already knew decades ago, has now been proclaimed worldwide: beer is the world’s most popular beverage.
And as people all over the world, from the Americans to the Asian inhabitants, have savored the taste of beer, emerging markets arise, and they’re of significant importance.

Meanwhile, the Chinese have developed the skills of brewing beer with significant results. By 2008, Snow a so called Chinese beer, has outsold the world leader Budweiser. CR Snow is a joint venture between China Resources Enterprise and SABMiller, a European based brewer. It was founded in 1994 and by now one of China’s biggest drink companies.
Although average beer consumption is still at a modest level in china, 28 liters per person compared to 100 liters per person in the UK, it’s growing fast. And inevitable has become a favorite target for western brewers. But the stakes are high and success is limited.
In a country where 25% of the inhabitants earn less than 1$ a day, consumers prefer local brews, charging less than 30 US cents for a 640ml bottle of beer. But those who managed to participate with local companies have closed a potentially lucrative deal.

Sien De Neve

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/nov/21/beer-sales-budlight-snow-china