Group 1: Beer Index and Economic Indicators - China accounts for nearly one-fourth of global beer consumption with an annual drinking volume of 40 million kiloliters, leading to the emergence of the "beer index" phenomenon, where low-end beer sales are negatively correlated with economic conditions, while high-end beer serves as a leading indicator of economic recovery [1] - During the decade following Japan's economic bubble burst, beer sales in Tokyo convenience stores dropped by 37%, highlighting the link between the decline of after-work drinking and rising unemployment [1] - In 2016, when China's manufacturing PMI fell below the neutral line, domestic low-end beer sales decreased by 12.3%, while high-end beer market share grew by 5.8% [1] Group 2: Changing Consumer Scenarios - The traditional "canteen beer" scene for blue-collar workers is being replaced by the "event socializing" scene created by Generation Z, with 61% of young consumers preferring to watch games in bars and willing to pay a 30% premium for craft beer [2] - The rise of female consumers has led to the emergence of the "low-calorie beer" segment, with the zero-sugar series of Harbin Beer growing by 122% in 2024, targeting women's demand for "light socializing" [2] - Qingdao Beer reported a 27% increase in high-end product line sales, with the "IPA craft" series achieving a 43% repurchase rate in esports viewing scenarios [2] Group 3: Beer Economy and Macro Trends - The beer index resonates with macroeconomic cycles, as seen in the 1980s when the Los Angeles Olympics boosted high-end beer consumption, leading to a 58% increase in high-end beer prices over ten years [3] - In the first half of 2025, high-end beer market share reached 26%, up 9 percentage points from 2019, aligning with a manufacturing investment growth rate of 11.3% [3] - Hebei province hosted 5,552 events in the first half of 2025, resulting in a 23% increase in local beer consumption, while equipment manufacturing electricity consumption grew by 19% [3] Group 4: Innovations in the Beer Industry - The consumption upgrade is driving the beer industry into a "flavor revolution," with 90s consumers prioritizing original wort concentration over price sensitivity, leading to cross-border products like "IPA + sparkling water" [4] - The global non-alcoholic beer market is expected to exceed $20 billion by 2025, with China's market growing at 34% [4] - Qingdao Beer developed a "probiotic beer" that adjusts gut flora, successfully entering the fitness market with protein content as a new selling point [4] Group 5: Virtual and Physical Integration in Beer Economy - Under the influence of the metaverse, the beer economy is presenting a new form of virtual-physical integration, with Budweiser's virtual beer "NFT airdrop" generating over ten million in transactions on blockchain platforms [5] Group 6: Cultural Narratives in Beer Economy - The collective emotions of an era are reflected in beer consumption, from Japan's economic bubble to modern social interactions, illustrating the enduring human pursuit of pleasurable experiences in a material-rich age [6]