A week-long beer festival opened Saturday in this north China port city, bringing a cool breeze to local residents sweltering through the hottest days of the year.

The event, held on Tianjin's "food street", a downtown commercial street known for its traditional Tianjin cuisine and snacks, has drawn large crowds of people after a taste of cool beer.

More than 30 breweries nationwide have brought over 120 brands to the festival, including leading Chinese beers Yanjing, Tsingtao, Pearl River, Harbin and Yellow River, as well as such renowned international products as Budweiser and San Miguel.

The week-long event will feature a beer-drinking contest, a seminar on beer culture, new products promotion and performances of classical and modern art, say the organizers.

The beer festival, the third of its kind in Tianjin, runs until July 21.

( eastday.com July 14, 2002)