Brett, breweries in China (and Japan) were started by German monks, so the beer is generally quite good in Asia.
About cash, there are always ATM's right next to the exits in airports, and you can withdraw no problem. When in town, you need to find a Bank of China ATM, the hotel reception can usually tell you where the closest one is. I still have 200RMB from my last trip, enough to get to the first ATM so I won't bother to exchange any cash. Yes and do warn your bank(s) about your Chinese trip, one of my cards got blocked, then unblocked a few hours later after a nasty email to my branch office ^_^