Erguotou

Erguotou is a variety of baijiu that is distilled from fermented sorghum. The name of this potent, clear spirit roughly translates as head of the second pot—referring to the manufacturing process of double distillation. Its history dates back to the 17th century, and the drink is strongly associated with Beijing and northeastern China.

Primarily enjoyed as a social drink, erguotou is quite strong, with typical 60% ABV, and it is usually reasonably priced. It can be enjoyed straight, while high-quality brands are best appreciated when slowly sipped. The most popular brand of erguotou is Red Star.