The Beijinger Beer Festival 2011: Talking Beer With DJ Nassdak, Patrick Yu & Randy Abel

Tickets are now on sale for the Beijinger Beer Festival, which takes place at Villa Castanea on Saturday, July 23. It will be a day of drinking the finest beers available in Beijing while being entertained by some of the city's best musicians. Patrick Yu, Usami, Nassdak and Bitesize Buddha will man the decks while Ajinai and the Randy Abel Stable take to the stage. Whether you are a craft beer aficionado, want to find out how to brew at home or just like fun in the sun, there is a reason to come along. We caught up with DJ Nassdak, Patrick Yu and Randy Abel of the Randy Abel Stable to talk beer.

When did you first drink beer?
Randy Abel: I started stealing beers at parties when I was very young, in my teens maybe. I started drinking more seriously in high school. The first time it was Pabst Blue Ribbon. The taste was not good, probably like urine.
DJ Nassdak: I think I first had it at the age of, I don’t know, 13 or 14. It was a Spanish one: Cruzcampo. It’s really good, actually, I still think it’s a really nice beer. I guess I got drunk, it’s a strong beer.
Patrick Yu: 15 or 16. I don’t know, it was probably Miller light or Bud light–something horrible. It wasn’t a life-changing experience, it’s just beer.

What’s your favorite beer to drink in Beijing?
Randy Abel: Oatmeal Porter at Great Leap Brewing. It's home brew, has good flavor and it's not too heavy. But Guinness is my all time favorite.
DJ Nassdak: Yanjing. Mainly because I’ve been drinking it at Migas, where I work. It’s kind of light, I don’t like really strong beer. It’s quite tasty.
Patrick Yu: Yanjing, because it’s a local, homegrown beer.

Are there any beers that you miss from home?
Randy Abel: All the micro brews like Great Leap.
DJ Nassdak: Cruzcampo, because it’s from Seville, my city. I guess I miss it because I grew up with it. You can’t really find it in Beijing.
Patrick Yu: Probably Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

I know I’ve had too much beer when ...
Randy Abel: I can't remember words from songs.
DJ Nassdak: [Laughs] I don’t know, to be honest, I don’t get really, really wasted. It’s just the feeling in your body, you know. When you get drunk, it’s when you get drunk. I’m a really happy drunk. I don’t get red, I just become really happy and since I play music, a few beers get me more in the mood.
Patrick Yu: I have to pee too much. Constantly.

Tell us one thing you regret doing when drunk?
Randy Abel: Being beaten by OJ Simpson in Japan.
DJ Nassdak: The hangover the day after.
Patrick Yu: I’m not answering that question. Way too incriminating.

My greatest ever achievement while drunk was to ...
Randy Abel: Form a bluegrass band.
DJ Nassdak: You know, I get drunk quite often and every time I get drunk it’s awesome, so I don’t have any in particular. Before I came to Beijing I worked in London clubs for many, many years. I could write a book. I can be nice without alcohol too, though. But it helps.
Patrick Yu: Make it home safely.

What's your hangover cure?
Randy Abel: Oatmeal Porter, it's a comfort drink.
DJ Nassdak: Sometimes, it’s good to have a beer when you’re really hungover. Same thing like if you were drunk. I guess you should rest.
Patrick Yu: A banana and some Doracca (a Vitamin B tablet). I’ve been told Vitamin B rehydrates you. I mean, I think it’s psychological, but I believe it.

What's the best Chinese beer?
Randy Abel: Harbin in Harbin, it's not good outside of Harbin.
DJ Nassdak: Yanjing. The first time I had it was a couple of years ago and it was really cold and really nice. I like Tsingtao too, but not as much as Yanjing.
Patrick Yu: Yanjing. It’s cheaper, and all Chinese beers are the same.

My three favorite Beijing beer bars are ...
Randy Abel: Great Leap, I certainly like Oatmeal porter. Green Cap, they have the best Guinness in Beijing. And Paddy O'Shea's, because it's Paddy O'Shea's
DJ Nassdak: First, Migas, because I’m working here [laughs]. Then, Punk at the Opposite House, it’s nice. When I go out, I go out for a reason, so when I go to these venues it’s when something is happening. And third, that Irish one–Paddy O’Shea’s–because I used to live in England for ten years.
Patrick Yu: Beermania, because of its selection, but I don’t think I know any other beer bars.

Get your tickets at The Irish Volunteer, The Green Cap, Pomme O'Shea's, Paddy O'Shea's, The Stumble Inn, Great Leap Brewery, Grinders and Lush while stocks last. See you there.