Is This Beijing's Brainiest Bartender? Xiao Shuai

“Mastermind” is a regular magazine column in which we quiz Beijing’s barkeeps on general knowledge as well as on a subject in which they consider themselves to be a specialist.

CONTESTANT: Xiao Shuai , El Nido
SPECIALIST SUBJECT: Absinthe

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Which country produces more coffee than any other?
Italy. Colombia? No, I still think it’s Italy. X

In football, name one of the countries that will host the 2012 European Championships.
Haha! This one I really don’t know. Last one was in South Africa. Oh wait, Europe? No, I’m really not into football that much. X

The first remains of the “Peking Man” were discovered in which decade?
At Zhoukoudian. In the 1910s? X

Which planet is closest to the Sun?
Is it Neptune? No, it’s not Neptune. Is it Earth, then? X

Which Arab leader was killed in his hometown in October?
Bin Laden? No, it’s not him. X

SPECIALIST SUBJECT

True or false: Absinthe can make you hallucinate.
I thought it was true, but today’s absinthe can’t. No, definitely not. False. Though I’ve got a Czech friend who says he can get some from home that will make you hallucinate. He’ll bring some back next time. √

Absinthe is commonly known by which nickname?
The Green Fairy. √

Wormwood is one of three main herbs used to produce absinthe. Name either of the other two.
Fennel and anise. When I made it last year I also used lemongrass. √

Absinthe originated in which European country?
The Czech Republic. What’s that place called? Four letters. I can’t remember it. X

Besides green, what other hue can absinthe be naturally colored?
Red. √

FINAL SCORE: 4/10

Answers: 1) Brazil 2) Poland and Ukraine 3) 1920s 4) Mercury 5) Muammar Gaddafi 6) false 7) the “Green Fairy” 8) anise and fennel 9) Switzerland 10) red

Verdict: Too much time spent reading about wormwood and van Gogh, not enough spent reading the news. Still, a credible showing from Xiao Shuai.

El Nido Daily 4pm-close. 59 Fangjia Hutong (enter from Andingmennei Dajie), Dongcheng District (8402 9495) 东城区方家胡同59号（丛安定门内大街往东走20米）

Click here to see the January issue of the Beijinger in full.

Photos: Sui