Yorkshire brewery Brew York has shipped its first beers to China, delivering 14 ales and lagers to 12 cities in under ten days

United Kingdom craft brewer Brew York, based in Yorkshire, has taken a major step forward in its international expansion by targeting the Chinese market, and announced its first consignment of beers have been delivered successfully to China, the world’s largest beer market.

The initial shipment, comprising five pallets of 14 of the brewery’s distinctive ales and lagers, was air-freighted from Brew York’s cold store. The deliveries reached outlets across China in under ten days ensuring the products still retained their freshness, according to the brewer.

To promote the launch, the brewery will be hosting tap takeover events in a dozen Chinese cities: Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guiyang, Longyan, Nanjing, Ningde, Qiqihar, Suzhou, Tianjin, Xuzhou and Yangzhou.

Founded in 2016 by Wayne Smith and Lee Grabham, Brew York has grown into one of Northern England’s leading independent breweries, known for its playful, flavour-driven beers brewed in York and at its larger facility in Osbaldwick.

“When we founded Brew York nearly ten years ago, we could only dream of seeing our beers poured on the other side of the world,” says co-founder Wayne Smith. “China’s appetite for craft beer is booming, and we’re thrilled to be part of that story, and of bringing the creativity and character of Brew York to an entirely new audience.”

Key to the success of the venture is the capability to get beers to drinkers quickly and cost-effectively. “Getting our beers from York to China in under ten days ensures drinkers can experience Brew York exactly as we intended: fresh, flavourful, and full of character,” says Sam Warren-Close, the company’s Export and Logistics Manager.