The Beijinger Beer Festival 2011: Talking Beer With Usami, Bitesize Buddha & Hugjiltu

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 Usami, Bitesize Buddha and Hugjiltu (of Ajinai) to talk beer.

When did you first drink beer?
Hugjiltu: When I was 17 I think. I don’t remember what it was, but I think it tasted OK, I don’t remember that very clear either.
Usami: Can’t remember, but don’t think it tasted too great…
Bitesize Buddha: At around 16, I had a 40 oz. of Old English 800, topped off with a bit of Crazy Horse Malt Liquor, it tasted like stale filth, and was followed by the notion 'never again' … or so I thought.

What’s your favorite beer to drink in Beijing?
Hugjiltu: Harbin. It’s a little better than other Chinese beers. I normally drink Tsingtao though.
Usami: Pint of Carlsberg always goes down well.
Bitesize Buddha: I'm pretty partial to cold white beers in the summer with a slice of orange or lemon, slightly effeminate but you won't knock it once you've tried it.

Are there any beers that you miss from home?
Hugjiltu: A kind of beer called Hailaer (海拉尔).
Usami: Not really home but you really can’t compare the Guinness back in the UK to here…
Bitesize Buddha: Colt 45. First of all, Billy Dee Williams is their spokesman…actually, isn't that enough?!

I know I’ve had too much beer when ...
Hugjiltu: I feel dizzy. Beers are not bad, it’s usually baijiu that makes me drunk.
Bitesize Buddha: It's time to leave the Beijinger Beerfest, of course I drink responsibly while playing though…it's like driving a really sensitive car.

Tell us one thing you regret doing when drunk?
Hugjiltu: I always feel regret on the second day if I threw up. Nothing much besides that.
Usami: Just one?
Bitesize Buddha: Just one thing?

My greatest ever achievement while drunk was to ...
Hugjiltu: I don’t know, I normally just feel happy.
Usami: Hmmmm, will have to get back to you on that one…
Bitesize Buddha: Holding a handstand, that would funnel me through a number of events, helping to get me where I currently am at the moment … happy.

What's your hangover cure?
Hugjiltu: Eating fruits and drinking yogurt.
Usami: Just got involved in this one… neck a large glass of water with a couple of borroca tablets in there before you hit the sack and you should be good to go in the a.m. If you don’t get it in before you pass out be prepared for the worse!
Bitesize Buddha: Hair of the dog, or 'drink again' to those non-English English speakers, and to think, if you're hung over the cure was probably sitting right next to you this whole time.

What's the best Chinese beer?
Hugjiltu: I don’t know, I like Harbin the best in Beijing.
Usami: Draft Beijing beer… especially at Niao Ting… can’t beat that.
Bitesize Buddha: Fresh Tsingtao beer, made the same day, and served ice cold in a plastic bag on the beach…delicious.

My three favorite Beijing beer bars are ...
Hugjiltu:Amilal, because the owner’s from Inner Mongolia. Zajia, because there’s always many friends there. Can’t think of anywhere else.
Usami: Union Bar & Grill – Best place for after work beers hands down. Good beer, great service, and the free crisps are pretty tasty. Paddy’s – Good drafts and best place to watch the footy. Migas roof deck – Not really a beer bar but still easily the nicest outdoor bar in Beijing
Bitesize Buddha: For a relaxed time, Great Leap Brewery - nice courtyard, great beer, good vibes.Or Traktir Pushkin, for those grimy nights where if you don't forget what happened, you'll wish you had.

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.