China Has Bloody Mary Beer and We Tried It

‘We Try It’ is a regular series where we try the latest off-beat food and beverage offerings.

Last month, NBeer released two new limited-edition cocktail-themed beers in honor of World Cocktail Day on May 13. And thus, the Bloody Niubi and Negroniu were born. 

Image via NBeer

We were fortunate enough to sample both brews, but have decided to focus our attention on the spicier of the two cocktail-infused craft beers: the Bloody Niubi. 

Arguably the only cocktail that is socially acceptable to drink in the morning (according to your friend Karen, anyway), Bloody Marys are a beauty of a drink, comprised of vodka, tomato juice and whatever the f*ck you like!

Image via NBeer

NBeer’s Bloody Niubi comes in hot at 6.8% ABV and 20 IBU, boasting a dark color and thickness that treads towards a juice-like consistency. There’s a strong hint of spice and tomato juice balanced with faint malty notes, experimental enough to make us question everything we thought we knew about the nectar of the gods.

We decided to share it around the office and here’s what we thought...

Matt, Editorial
It’s good and certainly unique, but fails to truly capture the bold flavors that a Bloody Mary often exhibits. Despite its high ABV, it also has a watered-down taste about it. A for effort, but overall a B-.
Rating: 3/5

Naomi, Editorial 
If you don’t look at the mixture, you’d think you’re drinking the lightest Harbin imaginable. If you do look at the brew, the thick consistency and red color make it look like blood. There is a throat tingling aftertaste that is comparable to Tabasco sauce but without a kick.
Rating: 4/5 (Big fan of Harbin beer)

Wesley, Sales
A little bit spicy, the tomato is strong but doesn’t cover the wheat flavor.
Rating: 4/5

Tristin, Editorial
This concoction makes me think of an alcohol-infused ketchup, but the spiciness adds a somewhat pleasant taste. Unfortunately, the brew reminds me too much of my least favorite Chinese medicinal soup.
Rating: 1/5

Overall, we’ll give it a 3/5 rating. We love what the folks at Nbeer are doing by thinking outside the beer box. A Bloody Mary reimagined is something worth trying, regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of the popular morning cocktail.

Who’s drinking them: early morning drinkers, juice lovers, your friend Karen
Price: RMB168 for a six-pack (three Bloody Niubi, three Negroniu) on Taobao.

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[Cover image via NBeer]