Great Leap Brewing Plans Massive Expansion Across China

Katie Coy, Managing Editor | Mar 9, 2023 11:06 am | Add a comment | 678 reads

Now with Covid zero a thing of the (not too distant) past and things looking up all across China, Great Leap are set to take 2023 by storm with big expansion plans for the coming year.

Among all these plans, perhaps the most interesting is their aim to have a “Great Leap in every city”. The Beijing-born brewery is planning to open up 100 locations all across China in collaboration with other bars and brands to create new Great Leap franchised taprooms. This initiative isn't entirely new, but a continuation of big things happening since last year, the biggest of which was their foray into Shanghai thanks to a partnership with CHARLIE’S back in March 2022. 

This move towards franchised taprooms has seen them able to put on exciting nationwide events, such as last year’s Nationwide Karl Long Challenge which took place across six cities and 29 Great Leap locations. Now, these franchised taprooms are different to their Beijing and Chengdu locations in that they aren’t directly operated or fully owned by Great Leap, however you get access to the same amazing Great Leap craft brews. 

Their 2023 expansion plans continue on from a change in direction undertaken when Allen Lueth took over as Great Leap’s CEO back in February 2021. We talked to Lueth in March last year about his future plans for Great Leap and catching up with him again recently it’s clear that he has high hopes for the brewery in 2023, hinting at more exciting new events in the coming months.

Along with opening up new Great Leap locations, they are also planning to expand their distribution channel even more. Despite multiple challenges last year 2022 already saw them expand their distribution channel to 12 different provinces and cities and this growth is set to continue. 

With this expansion in mind they have chosen four of their selected small batch brews to be their featured beers of 2023:

  • Urban Forest: Four hops but has a light and revitalizing taste.
  • Banana Wheat: Established as one of Great Leap’s most popular beers, a classic hefeweizen with natural banana undertones.
  • Hidden Noble: a session IPA infused with dried chrysanthemum flowers to highlight the floral and citrusy aromas of the Grungeist and Cashmere hops.
  • Grapefruit Flood: Summer spirit captured in a glass.

Lastly, Great Leap also announced that they have entered into a crafting partnership with Belgian brewery Duvel. The Great Leap brand and taprooms will remain independent, and will not be affected by the new collaboration, however in the near future their Tianjin brewery will contribute to the production of Vedett Extra White; Chaba craft beer and, of course, Great Leap Craft Beers. 

All in all it looks like Great Leap have an exciting 2023 ahead of them and we are certainly looking forward to seeing what the future holds.

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Images courtesy of Great Leap