What’s Up in Beer: New Opens, New Beers, Beer Competition, Beer Dinner and Beer Festival

What’s Up in Beer: New Openings, New Brews, Competitions, Beer Dinners, and Beer Festivals

Tracy Wang, Senior Editor | Jun 30, 2016 3:23 pm | Add a comment | 2143 reads

As Mark Twain said, “sometimes too much to drink is barely enough.” I would be surprised if the beer scene wasn't the hottest that Beijing has ever seen it this summer, especially this week, with the official opening of Peiping Machine, some new beers from Jing-A and Slow Boat, and even a three-day beer festival. It’s time to show your Beijing pride, bikini up, and head out into the swamp.

Peiping Machine Taphouse officially opens tonight (Jun 30) from 7pm. To make the occasion extra special (and to reduce your guilt tomorrow), they've decide to donate all their revenue to New Great Wall Project of China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation. Cheers to that! They are located at the back of 46 Fangjia, with their main door opening into Jiaodaokou Beisantiao.

It's that time of year, when watermelons, and watermelon wheat beer, line the streets, in part thanks to Jing-A's Beijing Bikini Watermelon Wheat launch event on Saturday (Jul 2), now in its third year running. They will be transporting tons of watermelons from Daxing especially for their watermelon eating competition, which runs from 3-6pm. Whoever gobbles up their slice the fastest will win a special prize (beer?).

On July 4, Dog House will take over Jing-A's kitchen, providing four types of hotdogs: the Sichuan Dog (with sichuan peppercorn, chili, peanuts, and cilantro), the Philly Dog (with thinly-sliced beef, cheese sauce, sautéed mushrooms, jalapeños, and crispy onion), the Mexican Dog (with avocado mayo, jalapeño cream cheese, crispy tortilla strips, pico de gallo, and sweet corn), and their famous Chili Dog (with beef chili, bacon, and crispy onions), all priced at RMB 45. Don’t forget to use the special mima, usually released on Fridays via Jing-A's WeChat (ID: jingabeer), to get buy-one-get-one-free.

If that wasn't enough, Jing-A also releases their new 京Eh? Maple Saison for Canada Day on July 1. The new brew is a rustic farmhouse ale brewed with maple syrup, of course. We tried it earlier in the week, and unlike their normal super sour farmhouse ale, it was refreshing and peppery, with light to medium body and a lovely sweet finish thanks to the syrup.

Moving west, Slow Boat has brought their White Cap IPA back on tap. This 6.75 percent ABV dry hopped beer uses Citra and Cascade hops (my favorite), and comes out a straw color with a rich body with a subtle but creamy head. The palate is full of spicy and citrusy notes with a hint of coriander.

Also, if you are a craft beer lover (and want to drink for free), Slow Boat happen to be looking for new Marketing Manager and Taproom Manager. Click here for more info.

Following in the revival suit, Arrow Factory has also brought their Golden Hop Country Ale back on tap, a caramel malt-flavored English bitter with 3.8 percent ABV, only available at their Jianchang Hutong taproom.

For something a little classy, La Dolce Vita will be holding a beer dinner on July 2 at 7.30pm (RMB 268). Gorge on four Italian beers paired with four dishes from their new summer menu, such as Baladin Nazionale with Tris of Arancini, Baladin Open Rock'n'Roll with Tajarin Pasta, Baladin Issac with Paccheri, and Baladin Nora with Australian lamb, finishing with a sexy chocolate mousse.

People who missed Beijing Craft Beer Festival back in June, you won't want to miss Hops Magazine's three-day Premium Beer Festival (Jul 1-3) at MGM Beach (formerly Uper+). Expect 80 top-class beers from all over the world, with plenty of mouthwatering food to line your stomach. They've also invited musicians, DJs, entertainers, and dancers to perform. Check here for tickets.