Tian Zhou
How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?
My journey into beer began while I was studying in the United States. At 21 (of course), I tasted my first American IPA in Maine, and it completely changed how I understood beer. After graduation, I spent 45 days driving across 22 U.S. states, visiting breweries of all sizes. What stayed with me most from that road trip wasn’t just the beer, but the people. I found that people who love beer are open, sincere, and generous with their stories. Conversations started easily, friendships formed quickly, and sharing a beer felt like a natural way to connect. That experience shaped how I see beer to this day. I began homebrewing while starting my career in brand marketing, working with companies such as DJI and WeWork. Looking back, my beers weren’t that good, but my colleagues were kind enough to finish them anyway, and ask for the next batch. In 2020, I left my previous career and founded Beer Matters. It began as China’s first craft-beer-only podcast and has since grown into a broader media and community platform. Beer matters to me because craft beer represents values I deeply believe in—independence, diversity, community, and creativity - beyond simply good-tasting beer.
Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?
The World Beer Cup brings together some of the most experienced and respected beer judges in the world. Judging alongside them allows me to continually calibrate my sensory perception and deepen my understanding of beer styles at the highest level. It is also a truly global platform, where beers from nearly every major brewing country are evaluated side by side. This offers a rare opportunity to see how craft beer is evolving worldwide, including how different regions interpret classic styles, how local ingredients influence innovation, and what trends are shaping the industry today. China’s craft beer scene is developing rapidly, with many brewers actively exploring a distinct local identity. As a long-term observer and documenter of this process, including through my recent book on the rise of Chinese craft beer, the World Beer Cup is an essential learning opportunity for me. The insights I gain at the judging table help me bring a clearer global perspective back to China. Judging is also a two-way exchange. I’m glad to share perspectives from the Chinese craft beer scene, including beers that incorporate local elements such as tea. This exchange keeps judging relevant and helps the global beer community move forward together.
What else would you like the world to know?
We are living in a strange era of de-globalization, where exchanges between countries are becoming more fragile and opportunities for direct dialogue feel increasingly limited. In moments like this, I believe it is up to each of us to make a greater effort to stay connected with one another. From my perspective, beer remains a simple and sincere way to keep those connections alive. I’m deeply committed to sharing what is actually happening in Chinese craft beer today. It is a scene that is far more diverse, experimental, and thoughtful than many people expect. We are not just making beer; we are exploring local identity through ingredients such as tea, domestic hops, and fermentation techniques rooted in long-standing traditions. At the same time, we remain genuinely open to dialogue and eager to connect with the wider world. If you are curious about Chinese craft beer, or planning a trip to China and looking for brewery or bar recommendations, I’m always happy to connect. Conversations still matter, and sharing a pint is often the best way to start one.
