GLB, which opened in October 2010, was the first microbrewery in Beijing and from an original four taps in one place now has 60 taps in three outlets. For Setzer, since pouring his first pints of Honey Ma Gold, Pale Ale #6 and the East City Porter on an autumn evening, he has felt the responsibility of building a craft beer community.

Before autumn 2010, craft beer in Beijing was a far-off dream or a recollection of home for many expats.

Nowadays, apart from GLB, other serious local craft beer players in Beijing include Jing A, Slow Boat, NBeer, Panda and Arrow Factory. They have their own complete branding output that differs from myriad new pubs emerged having beers on tap among the emerging craft beer movement.

Festival organizers say there will be a panel discussion about craft beer at TRB Copper on March 24 from 11 am till noon. One of the topics will be AB InBev's expansion into craft brewing and the effect of that on the global craft beer trade.