DRINK UP!
Pair Chinese food with imported Chinese beer
Chug in the Year of the Boar with a Chinese beer newly available in the United States, Harbin Lager.
From China's northern province of Heilongjiang, the beer combines European-grown hops with Chinese varieties called Quindao Dahua.
Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Budweiser, is distributing Harbin and billing it as an ideal pairing with Chinese foods from China's oldest brewery, established in 1900.
For the new year, Harbin is available in a red faux-lacquer, hinged gift box with padded satin lining. Inside is a 600-ml bottle wrapped in red rice paper. A ceramic boar good-luck charm is included.
Harbin sells for $7 to $8 a six pack at Times, Longs, Foodland, Don Quijote, Star and 7-Eleven stores. The commemorative box set sells for $8.50 to $10 at Times and Don Quijote.