A beginning in Beijing's hutongs
Founded in 2013 by Xia Yulin and Pan Dinghao, Panda Brew opened its first venue and released bottled Panda Eyes Honey Ale.
Source records
Source ↗
From one bar.
To new possibilities.
Since 2013. Keeping curiosity brewing.
The first restaurant-bar
The first PandaBrew restaurant-bar opened, bringing beer to the dining table and laying the groundwork for the later kitchen concept.
Resources for the next chapter
A funding round in November 2015 supported the next stage of development. A founder interview records this period of investment in production and distribution.
Source records
Source ↗Yiyang production line starts
The proprietary production line in Yiyang began operating, bringing recipe development and production closer together. The brand manual also records entry into the UK market that year.
Source records
Source ↗A kitchen concept for more cities
Panda Brew Kitchen developed the combination of craft beer and Chinese food in cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. On 2 April, groundbreaking took place at the Anshun brewery, ahead of its completion in 2020.
Making craft beer a firsthand experience
The city pop-up tour used self-pour installations and tastings to introduce craft beer through direct experience.
Source records
Source ↗
Anshun brewery completed
The Anshun brewery in Guizhou was completed, marking another major step after Yiyang. The milestone records its construction history rather than making a claim about current output.
Source records
Source ↗
Brewing through the 24 solar terms
A year-long solar-term collection connected seasonal changes with brewing. Documented flavours include strawberry and sea salt, oolong, lychee and autumn pear.
Source records
Source ↗
New settings for Chinese flavours
Xiangsheng Yuese paired Hunan cuisine with craft beer in Beijing and Shanghai. The Chang An collaboration introduced a lychee-and-rose beer. The brand manual also records exploration into whisky.
Source records
Source ↗
Expanding the brewing journey
The brand manual records a Shanxi facility for beer production and whisky cask storage.
Source records
Source ↗Beyond beer, towards a wider world of flavour
9–11 July · Tokyo
Panda Brew joined Guizhou’s delegation at Japan’s international food exhibition. Guizhou broadcaster coverage records discussions with local food traders and agency and prospective partnerships, adding a new chapter to the brand’s overseas development.
During the year · Continuing whisky exploration
Industry reports in 2025 described Panda Brew’s whisky work in Anshun and its long-term investment in production skills, training and market channels.
2025 whisky business coverage ↗
December · Project discussions in Shifang, Sichuan
Shifang’s state-owned investment group and Panda Brew (Anshun) discussed cooperation, capacity planning, production, distribution and brand development for a whisky project, laying the groundwork for its subsequent development.
26 December · Guiyang
Panda Brew took part in a supply-chain signing at Xiongmao Chuxiang’s year-end event, linking supply with local distribution. Xiongmao Chuxiang is a separate brand.
Explore the partnership and source screenshot →
Source records
Source ↗
Under construction
Shifang whisky project: a new flavour chapter
Shifang, Sichuan · Panda Glacier Whisky Project
Extending its work in craft beer into distillation and cask maturation, Panda Brew is developing a whisky production project with visitor and tourism facilities in Shifang.
2026–2027 · Planned construction period
Shifang’s industrial and technology development plan names Panda Brew (Anshun) as the company responsible for the project. It lists a planned investment of RMB 120 million and annual whisky capacity of 1,200 tonnes, alongside malting, oak-cask production, cask storage and tourism facilities.
10 June · Foundation work under way
The Yinghua Mountain scenic-area authority and Hengyang Cultural Tourism visited the construction site. Their official report, published on 29 June, records building-foundation work in progress, with joint inspections and coordination of schedules, materials and labour to support construction.
Under construction. Investment, capacity and construction period are planned figures.
Source records
Source ↗Shifang project · Planning and construction sources
Shifang project · Source records
2025 cooperation discussions
https://www.shifang.gov.cn/gk/dtxx/xwdt/gzdt/fjbm/3004489.htm
Official development plan · PDF page 73 (printed page 68)
https://www.shifang.gov.cn/wcm.files/upload/202604/202604280859025.pdf
View the archived planning document →
2026 construction progress
https://www.shifang.gov.cn/gk/dtxx/xwdt/gzdt/fjbm/3016565.htm
2025 cooperation discussions
https://www.shifang.gov.cn/gk/dtxx/xwdt/gzdt/fjbm/3004489.htm
Official development plan · PDF page 73 (printed page 68)
https://www.shifang.gov.cn/wcm.files/upload/202604/202604280859025.pdf
View the archived planning document →
2026 construction progress
https://www.shifang.gov.cn/gk/dtxx/xwdt/gzdt/fjbm/3016565.htm
A YEAR OF FLAVOUR
A calendar you can taste.
Each solar-term release responds to a moment in the year. Explore the documented creations in the searchable flavour archive.
Explore the seasonal archive ↗
Ideas become beer.
Ingredients give a beer its starting point. Brewing gives the idea its form. Explore the flavours behind the archive.
Read the flavour notes ↗
