Carlsberg Malaysia debuts ChongQing Beer in Malaysia
ChongQing beer, a Chinese lager brand made to pair with Chongqing’s famously fiery food, has launched in Malaysia, reflecting the surging appetite for Chinese cuisine in the country.
No trip to Chongqing, a mountainous city in southwestern China famed for its futuristic 8-dimensional layout, is complete without sampling some of the region’s fiery cuisine, known as mala. Chongqing hotpot, in particular, is world-renowned for its rich, oily broth, and there are also plenty of street eats to pick up, such as xiaomian (spicy noodles) and suan la fen (hot and sour noodles).
And, of course, no dish is quite complete without a beer to wash it down. That was the original inspiration behind Carlsberg China’s ChongQing beer. Brewed since 1958 in Chongqing, the 3.8% ABV easy-drinking pale lager is crafted specifically to pair with hotpot, and to complement shared moments around the table.
The tipple is available in 490ml cans, the design of which pays homage to the brand’s roots. Each features a hotpot-inspired logo and a red and gold colour palette, which Carlsberg claims symbolises “warmth, passion and togetherness – values closely associated with Chongqing’s culture”.
And now, Malaysians will get the chance to try Chongqing beer for themselves, reflecting the booming popularity of Chinese cuisine in the southeast Asian nation.
Chinese cuisine booms in Malaysia
In the early noughties, the number of Chinese restaurants owned or co-owned by China nationals was 1,000, Malaysian Chinese Restaurant Association president Gao Hao Yun told The Star. In 2025, this figure was expected to shoot to 15,000 or more – marking a significant rise.
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This mirrors a shift from small restaurant owners to larger brands arriving in Malaysia, like Haidilao, Tanyu, Nong Geng Ji and even local China-influenced brands like Supamala Hotpot.
“As Malaysian beer consumers show growing interest in authentic Chinese brands, this shift reflects more than a passing trend. The increasing appreciation for Chinese food, culture, and lifestyle points to a broader evolution in consumer behaviour,” said Stefano Clini, managing director of Carlsberg Malaysia. “We are confident in making the brand affordable and accessible to meet the evolving consumer needs.”.
Paying homage to Chongqing
Anchoring the brand’s expansion to Malaysia lies a strong sense of pride.
“Having started my brewing journey with ChongQing beer in its home city, I am incredibly proud to now brew this iconic beer here in Shah Alam, Malaysia,” shared brewmaster Roger Li, who is also the first Asian supply chain director of Carlsberg Malaysia.
“What matters most to us is staying true to its original character – refreshing, smooth, and easy‑drinking, so the flavours remain familiar to those who know ChongQing,” Li added.
ChongQing beer will be made available at 99 Speedmart outlets nationwide from June 2026 onwards.
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