Sanjing Shilixiang Liquor Brewing Craftsmanship

Sanjing Shilixiang Liquor Brewing Craftsmanship

The brewing craftsmanship of Sanjing Shilixiang Liquor is recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hebei Province.

　　Sanjing Shilixiang has a long history with well-documented records, distinctly different from unsubstantiated legends—like official history compared to oral tales. It originated in the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era. Historical records say that during that time, outside the Wei Canal embankment in Xinqiao (formerly Botou), there were three wells with sweet, refreshing water. The liquor made from them was called "Shilixiang," renowned for its delicious and mellow flavor, and became famous throughout the capital region. People, fearing endless demands from officials for the liquor, agreed not to offer the real brew to them. Dong Si-ren, the prefect of Cangzhou and a keen drinker, repeatedly asked for the genuine liquor but was unsuccessful. Later, after resigning from office, he was invited by old friends to Xinqiao, where he finally tasted the true Shilixiang. He drank heartily for three days. When the supply ran out, his enthusiasm did not. He sighed, "If I had discovered this fine liquor earlier, why would I have become an official in the first place!" Alas, the history of "Shilixiang" has been recorded for nearly 300 years. Recently, a Ming Dynasty wine jar was unearthed from the canal bed, clearly bearing the characters "Shilixiang," indicating that its history can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty as well.

　　The Brewing Process of Sanjing Shilixiang

　　The brewing process of Sanjing Shilixiang is unique. During production, medium-to-high temperature Daqu (fermentation starter) is used in combination with mud pit fermentation. The liquor produced through this method is strong yet not harsh, mild yet not thin, with a long, smooth finish and a rich, harmonious flavor. It is then stored for a long period at constant temperature in century-old wooden wine vats and specially made Yixing clay jars. Before drinking, it offers an elegant and pleasant aroma; while drinking, it is smooth, sweet, and refreshing; and afterward, the lingering fragrance remains. It is precisely because of its classic characteristics—refined fermentation aroma, sweet and soft taste, clean and refreshing mouthfeel, well-balanced flavors, and a clean, long-lasting finish—that it has become a model of soft-aroma Baijiu.

　　The Soaring Success of Sanjing Shilixiang

　　Brewing premium liquor and being exemplary individuals, while forever pursuing top-tier quality, is the corporate development philosophy that the people of Sanjing have consistently upheld. In recent years, Sanjing Shilixiang has grown rapidly at an annual rate of nearly 50%. Whether in terms of company scale, production techniques, or management standards, all metrics have reached or surpassed advanced levels within the industry. In 2009, Hebei Sanjing Distillery Co., Ltd. invested in the construction of the "Comprehensive Agricultural Product Processing" project, which includes three sub-projects: Sanjing Industrial Park, Sanjing Fermentation Park, and Sanjing Cultural Park. Among these, the Sanjing Fermentation Park, built with an investment of 350 million yuan, is the largest strong-aroma Baijiu production base in Hebei Province. Additionally, to ensure the quality of raw grains at the source, a 10,000-mu (approximately 667 hectares) red sorghum planting base was established. These initiatives fundamentally guarantee Sanjing Shilixiang’s continuation of its legacy as a “Time-Honored Chinese Brand.” Through the unremitting efforts of several generations of the Sanjing team, Sanjing Shilixiang Liquor has earned extremely high acclaim within the Baijiu industry, thanks to its long history, profound cultural heritage, outstanding market performance, and diverse sales models. On March 18, 2011, it was awarded the honorary title of “Time-Honored Chinese Brand” by the Ministry of Commerce of China.