Yutian Laojiu

Yutian Laojiu

　　　Yutian County Hongyuan Winery Co., Ltd. is located in the ancient town of Linancang, 6 kilometers southwest of Yutian County. As early as the Liao and Jin dynasties, rulers built imperial palaces and imperial guards near Houhu Lake in the town. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it had become a bustling trade hub serving both water and land transport. The predecessor of “Fengnian Brand” Yutian Laojiu—Yutian Laojiu—has been passed down through generations and has become a treasured gem in folk culture. Yutian Laojiu is made primarily from high-quality sorghum and other ingredients, fermented with the help of multiple microorganisms, aged in traditional earthen pits and ceramic jars for three to five years or more, and scientifically blended. This product is characterized by being colorless or slightly yellow and transparent, offering a rich aroma that combines strong and soy sauce-like notes, a robust and mellow bouquet, a smooth and refreshing taste, and a clean aftertaste.

　　The brewing history of Yutian Laojiu is long-standing. Historical records state that Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty drank Yutian Laojiu before beating the drums before battle and, after achieving victory, designated it as imperial wine. During the Liao and Jin periods, it was famous across the north and referred to as the “Sacred Water.” In the Ming and Qing dynasties, its fragrance flourished and it became a bestseller in North China. With its distinctive quality, long heritage, and rich cultural content, it holds significant historical and cultural value. Its unique brewing techniques have been innovated and developed over generations, making it not only an excellent drink to enhance festive meals but also highly practical. The exploration and development of Yutian Laojiu will promote the economic growth of Yutian, enrich the dietary and cultural life of the people, and contribute to building a harmonious society.

　　During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, there were already distilleries such as “Yixinglong” and “Yideliquan” in Linancang Town. In 1947, the 15th Military Sub-district of the Jizhong Liberation Area transformed these two private distilleries into a state-owned winery. After the liberation, it became a local state-owned enterprise, known as Yutian County Linancang Winery and Yutian County Distillery in the Tangshan Prefecture of Hebei Province. Since the 1980s, Yutian Distillery has been dedicated to reviving the traditional brewing techniques of Yutian Laojiu. By adopting modern fermentation methods, it has carefully crafted this historically unique liquor, bringing its distinctive flavor back into the spotlight. Renowned brewing experts such as Zhou Henggang, national-level sommeliers including the national women’s champion Jin Fenglan, and esteemed literary figures like Cong Weixi have spoken highly of the liquor. More than ten cultural celebrities have praised it as the “Southern Maotai and Northern Yutian,” the “Maotai of the North,” and the “Proud Nectar of the North.” It has won the Gold Award at the 1993 International Famous Liquor Expo in Thailand and the 1994 International Famous Liquor Expo in France. The product is popular among consumers in North and Northeast China.

　　In 2001, the company was renamed Yutian County Hongyuan Winery Co., Ltd. It covers an area of 26,640 square meters, has two brewing production lines, and is equipped with complete laboratory and testing facilities, producing 2,500 tons of “Fengnian Brand” Yutian Laojiu series annually. In December 2006, “Fengnian Brand” Yutian Laojiu was recognized by the Ministry of Commerce as a “China Time-Honored Brand.” Since then, the company has been committed to making “Fengnian Brand” Yutian Laojiu a shining jewel in the brewing industry of eastern Hebei.