Lambics beers – a type of Belgian beer brewed with raw wheat and wild yeast in wooden casks and fermented for at least a year – satisfies the taste buds of beer lovers in Shinan. [Photo/china.com.cn]

Badaguan is a historical residential area that is highly regarded for its European villas, which stretch along the coastline of the prosperous port city of Qingdao – located in East China's Shandong province.

The locals say that Bataguan in spring is particularly pleasant and to top things off, a special Belgian beer tasting and sharing activity – dubbed "Explore the mysterious charm of Belgian Lambics beer" – was recently held in the former site of the Belgian Consulate in Bataguan in Qingdao's Shinan district.

The painstaking fermentation process of this kind of beer involves it being completely exposed to natural fermentation in the air and the brewing cycle takes about three years – about 150 times longer than that of ordinary beer. As a result, the brew has been in danger of disappearing several times over the centuries.

As such, few traditional Lambic beers have survived to the current era.

Locals who attended the beer tasting were delighted with the taste.

"It tastes sour. It's like the combination of wine and beer," said one.

Another added: "The flavor has a rich fruit aroma and an aftertaste that lingers."

While a third enthusiast said: "It's a beer that's totally beyond my imagination."

There are 11 kinds of Lambics beer brands available, with the breweries issuing a maximum of 1,500 bottles per year due to low production – with a minimum output of more than 200 bottles per year.