精酿

• Pinyin: jīng niàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 精 (refined/craft) + 酿 (brew) -> carefully brewed craft beer.

Meaning

Craft beer or craft brewing, especially small-batch beer with distinctive flavors.

In everyday speech it usually means craft beer bars, cans, or tasting culture. It can also suggest a niche, slightly pricey drinking scene.

Examples

1. 今晚去喝精酿，点一杯酸啤试试。 Let's go for craft beer tonight and try a sour beer.
2. 这款精酿果香明显，苦味不重。 This craft beer has a noticeable fruity flavour and isn't very bitter.
3. 精酿度数不低，别喝太快。 Craft beer can be pretty strong, so don't drink it too fast.

Usage Guide

Context: bars, friends, food, social media

Tone: informed, relaxed

Do Say

• 这家店有本地精酿，选择很多。（Use for craft beer.）
• 第一次喝精酿可以从小杯尝起。（Useful advice for tasting.）

Don't Say

• 把所有进口啤酒都叫精酿。（Imported beer is not automatically craft beer.）

Common Mistakes

• Ignoring alcohol strength; some 精酿 beers are much stronger than light lagers.

Origin & History

Short for 精酿啤酒, a Chinese rendering of craft beer culture that expanded in major cities.

Cultural Context

Era: 2020s

Generation: Gen Z and Millennials, now broadly understood

Social background: Urban online speakers and lifestyle consumers

Regional notes: Used across Mainland China, especially on social platforms.