Rant: Celebrate World Baijiu Day!

This August, there are a number of drink holidays, including: August 7: International Beer Day, August 13: National Prosecco Day, August 16: National Rum Day, August 18: National Pinot Noir Day, and August 30: National Cabernet Sauvignon Day. The basic idea behind such days is to promote a grape, wine, beer, spirit or cocktail, and savvy marketers take the opportunity to highlight and push their products. However, do we really need all of these drink holidays?

For the more popular choices, like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Prosecco, I don't think we need a special day to showcase these grapes or wine types. Nearly every wine consumer knows about those grapes. So, as they're already popular, we should instead shine a spotlight on grapes that are more worthy of attention, grapes which are less popular or less known. There are plenty of under-appreciated grapes and wine types, such as Assyrtiko, Rkatsiteli, Pošip, Baga, Mavrud, Manzanilla Sherry and many more, which would benefit greatly from their own special day. 

We also don't need a day just to celebrate Beer or Rum, as again, they are already well known to consumers. There are other alcoholic beverages worthy of more attention, who need greater recognition with consumers, from Sake to Shochu. These niche spirits need the publicity, to boost awareness and sales. 

I would much rather see days celebrating the drink underdogs, helping to gain them recognition and new fans. I want people to broaden their palates, and taste something new for them. They need to be enticed to step out of their comfort zone. For example, Sake is still vastly under appreciated in the U.S. so having a day that celebrates and promotes it makes sense. Did you know International Sake Day, which is celebrated each year on October 1, has existed since 1978, nearly 50 years? That makes it far older than nearly all of the other wine and drink holidays.

On Saturday, August 9, we should celebrate the 12th Anniversary of World Baijiu Day, a holiday created by Jim Boyce, who runs the nightlife blog Beijing Boyce and wine blog Grape Wall of China. The intent of this holiday is to raise awareness of Baijiu, to highlight its wonders beyond the borders of China. Even though Baijiu is the most popular spirit in the world, most Americans know little, if anything about it. 

As I've said before, Baijiu seems to be the Durian fruit of the spirits world, both having a reputation for funkiness which turns off some people, while others become fervent fans. It's a fascinating beverage, with much diversity of flavor and taste, and I strongly encourage everyone to seek it out and sample some of its wonders.

When is the last time you saw a drink writer pen an article about Baijiu? It's a rarity, indicating that more attention needs to be paid to this spirit. Not enough people are writing and talking about this unique beverage, despite its intriguing history, production methods, and customs. We need to change this and World Baijiu Day is an important way to help spread the word, and maybe entice more writers to talk about Baijiu, and for more consumers to sample Baijiu in cocktails on its own.

Over the years, I've written sixteen articles about Baijiu, covering a diverse selection of topics, from Baijiu reviews to a the detailed explanation of its production methods. This is a great place to start your education about Baijiu.  

Baijiu: The Durian Fruit Of The Spirits World (Part 1)
Baijiu: Its Unique Production Process (Part 2)
Baijiu: Drinking Etiquette & Some Reviews (Part 3)
Baijiu: Cocktails, Boston & World Baijiu Day (Part 4)
Baijiu: Food Pairings (Part 5)
Vinn Bajiu: Made in Portland
Baijiu: The Essential Guide To Chinese Spirits by Derek Sandhaus
World Baijiu Day: August 9
Taizi Baijiu: A New Zealand Treasure
Historical Tidbits About Baijiu, The World's Most Popular Spirit (Part 1)
Historical Tidbits About Baijiu, The World's Most Popular Spirit (Part 2)

Rant: Stop Drink Hate

Sumiao Hunan Kitchen: World Baijiu Day & Dine Out Boston

Luzhou Laojiao: Mainstreaming Baijiu With Cocktails

Baijiu Pop-Ups at Backbar: Learn About This Fascinating Chinese Spirit

A Baijiu Class with Derek Sandhaus

In celebration of World Baijiu Day, there will be events held all over the world, from Beijing to Auckland, Dublin to Stockholm. In the U.S., there will be Baijiu events in Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City, Portland (OR), San Francisco, San Jose, Scottsdale, and Washington, D.C. 

In the Boston area, Sumiao Hunan Kitchen, in Kendall Square, Cambridge, will once again celebrate World Baijiu Day. They will be celebrating with two ways to discover China’s most iconic spirit. First, you can try their seasonal Baijiu cocktail, the Eastern Sun, smoky Baijiu and Mezcal meet juicy passion fruit and lime. Second, you can explore a Baijiu flight highlighting a range of distinctive aromas and flavors. Sumiao states, "Whether you’re a curious first-timer or already a baijiu fan, join us in Kendall Square and experience the world’s most-consumed spirit in a fresh and approachable way." They also have three Baijiu cocktails on their regular menu, including the Fung Wah, Perpetual Motion, and Red Ruby. 

Baijiu is becoming more readily available at liquor shops in the U.S., though previously you might not have even realized it existed. There's a distillery in Connecticut, the Branford Distillery, which produces a Gaoliang Baijiu. The Oversea Distillery, in Maryland, produces two Baijiu bottles, including a Light Aroma Baijiu and an Aged 6 Years Baijiu. Baijiu may be hugely popular in Asia but it needs much greater exposure in the rest of the world, including in the U.S. It's a unique and delicious spirit and well worth seeking out. This is a Drink Day that I wholeheartedly support and hope that everyone else takes this opportunity to acquaint themselves with Baijiu. 

Expand your palate and try something different and more unique. Drink some Baijiu and celebrate World Baijiu Day!