(Yicai Global) Sept.18 -- China is set to overtake the United States as the world's largest stout beer market in 2017, data from market research and consulting firm Euromonitor International show.

Demand for stout in China grew nearly 43-fold from 4.5 million liters in 2008 to 192 million liters in 2016, Jiemian News reported on Sept. 17, citing Euromonitor data.

Stout is a dark beer made using roasted malt or roasted barley. Its growing popularity in China is driven by an increasing number of craft beer consumers in the country. A key market for the drink in China includes the millions of new members of the middle-classes in cities nationwide. 

Government support has also boosted industry development, said Spiros Malandrakis, senior analyst for alcoholic drinks at Euromonitor International.