Booze, Swords & Guinea Pigs | Celebrating Swiss Tradition

Switzerland is celebrating its National Day on August 1st – happy birthday to Switzerland!

The country where no guinea pig is lonely. (The law states you must have two or more such pets. That goes for gerbils and parrots, too.)

The country where men must bring a sword when they vote for their leaders. (Okay, this is now only done in the canton of Appenzell but it's an intriguing ritual with roots over 700 years old.)

Voting with a sword on you in Appenzeller

The country that so many people associate with chocolate, watches, mountains, skiing, army knives, fondue, Roger Federer – and booze.

Fun fact: the notorious drink known as absinthe got its start in the 1790s in the Swiss town of Couvet. This deep green potion has been seen as everything from a dangerous drug to the inspiration for artists and writers to a cure for intestinal worms and excessive farting.

Way to go, Switzerland!

GIF credit: GIPHY

Of course, Switzerland has many other alcohols, including all kinds of wines, a cherry liqueur called kirsch, and even whisky, which you might call Swisskey.

And beer. Many people here in China got their first taste of Swiss beer when CHEERS began importing six labels from Appenzeller – from the same canton as those sword-wielding voters! – earlier this year. And they are delicious.

GIF credit: GIPHY

The Appenzeller lager is a nice change of pace from the wave of hoppy new beers out there. It has a mild hop, malt and fruit character, the kind of beer to enjoy on a warm summer day.

(Tap the picture above to give it a shot)

In contrast is the intense flavors of Bschorle, a fruit beer with no fewer than 17 apple and 11 pear varieties! (It seems 27 total varieties were not enough!) This one has pleasing effervescence, fruit sweetness, and tartness at the finish.

(Play the video above to watch how a cocktail is made with Bschorle)

Video credit: “贪吃的美扬扬” on Dou Yin

And there are four more beers beyond that, each having its unique character.

By the way, here's something else good about that Bschorle fruit beer: It's alcohol-free. Even guinea pigs can have a tiny sip for Switzerland's national day.

Original by Jim Boyce, Grape Wall of China 葡萄围城

In celebration of the Swiss National Day (Aug. 1st), we are offering the Appenzeller Vollmond at a special rate: from today till Aug. 9th, buy 2 and get 1 for free, that is CN¥ 52 for 3 bottles. 

Meanwhile, two of the CHEERS stores in Beijing are having a celebration too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHEERS 155

You're invited to join our terrace party at store 32 this Friday! Enjoy some good music, sangria and cider offered by Ping Dynasty. 

Time: 18:00, July 31, Friday

Address: Store 06A, Level 1, Building 10, Block 5, Shu Guang Xi Li, Chaoyang District, Beijing (北京市朝阳区曙光西里甲五号院10号楼601层06A商铺) 

P.s.: Registration not required, just show up on time. 

The store's terrace