In China, Don't Drink The Liquor Either

In a testament to the Chinese entrepreneurial spirit, but also to their cultural lack of the environmental long term view, the water purity of one of China's name brand liquors may have been harmed by pollution by 39 illegal up-start alcohol plants built upriver from the Maotai sorghum distillery. In Beijing, tourists have to mind the water, but if they can't substitute germ killing alcohol for water, they're in big trouble. Also, I can see that the merchant class tiptoeing back into capitalism is using the mainstay of corruption and bribery to get back into business. Honestly, 39 illegal breweries and distilleries do not get built without some government official knowing about it.

Thanks to the bro for the news tip.