Hutong Microbrew: Great Leap Brewing

Not so much a bar as a home brewing operation that opens for retail three days a week, Great Leap is what German-American Carl Setzer calls a hobby. To taste the product, you’d think it was his sole preoccupation.

Four beers are on tap at any given time. The Pale Ale No. 6 and Oatmeal Porter are permanent fixtures at RMB 25 (330ml), with the other two options rotated at RMB 35 (330ml). If you bring a bottle or flask, you can take some home (from RMB 60 per liter).

The beers have real flavor, and you won’t wake up with a headache (unless you drink 20 of them, that is). My picks were the pale ale and the Honey Ma Blonde (made with Sichuan peppercorns).

With interest in this venture sure to exceed the tiny capacity of the hutong space, it seems likely that you’ll soon be seeing Great Leap beers in other Beijing bars.

Good for: Beer connoisseurs
Also try: Okhotsk, Paulaner Brauhaus

Great Leap Brewing 大跃
(NOTE added Aug 16, 2011: Great Leap opening times are now Tue-Sat 3pm-midnight, Sun 3-8pm, happy hour Tue-Wed 3-7pm). 6 Doujiao Hutong (turn west off Nanluogu Xiang onto Jingyang Hutong and follow the street onto Doujiao Hutong), Dongcheng District (187 1007 7331)
东城区豆角胡同6号

Got something to say about this or any other Beijing venue? Register as a user at the Beijinger.com and post your review on our online directory.