Deqen Highland Barley Wine

Deqen Highland Barley Wine

　　Highland barley wine is a low-alcohol beverage made from highland barley. It is beloved by Tibetans of all ages and genders, and is an essential drink during festive celebrations. The brewing process of highland barley wine is quite unique. First, the highland barley is washed and cooked. Once it cools slightly, yeast is added, and the mixture is sealed in a pottery jar or wooden barrel to ferment. After two or three days, water is added and the container is covered. After another day or two, it becomes highland barley wine. The wine has an orange-yellow hue, a sweet and sour taste, and very low alcohol content, similar to beer. Drinking highland barley wine follows the "three sips and one cup" rule: take one sip, refill the cup, take another sip, refill again, then take a third sip and finish the full cup.

At traditional banquets, both male and female hosts will sing drinking songs while toasting guests. At grand celebrations, there are professional toast maidens who wear their most splendid attire and sing enchanting drinking songs, taking turns to encourage guests to drink until they are thoroughly intoxicated.