What’s Up in Beer: Jing-A Double Bottle Launch, New SteamRhino in Shangdi, Summer Brews Aplenty

Sometimes we think what it's like to be a brewery; you never settle for what you have on tap at any given moment, no matter how popular you are, and you must maintain consistency and constantly innovate to surprise your devotees, pushing the boundaries of what's possible by either building on or even setting a new beer trend. The benefit? Appreciation from an entire city and, well, the benefits that come from being surrounded by fine brew.

Keeping that tradition alive is Great Leap, who expand their credentials by adding The Three Su’s Series to their preexisting Honey Ma and Homegrown Series. Named after the 11th-century Song dynasty literati Su Shi (and his father Su Xun and brother Su Zhe). This new series is made using Sichuan peppercorns and citrus fruit, representing the flavors of Meishan in Sichuan, where the Su family originated. The series debut, Blood Orange Su Pale Ale (RMB 50,5.5 percent ABV), has already hit the taps at #6 and #45, which was brewed with fresh blood orange juice, peel, and Sichuan peppercorns.

Over at NBeer, they've just put on their new Zhengdian’er Pilsner on tap, a light golden 5 percent ABV brew with malty and sweet notes courtesy of Australian Galaxy hops. They also have a range of new imports, including the New Zealand Viking Imperial Wheat Stout from Epic, with a hefty 9 percent ABV; Mango Mango Mango, an American Wild Ale from Stillwater and Dugges (only at Huguosi location); and Cocoa Cacao Imperial Chocolate Stout, also a co-brew between Stillwater and Dugges with 11 percent ABV (only available at their Wukesong location).

Jing-A, meanwhile, will launch Dongbei IPA and Tuhao Gold Pils in bottles this Saturday at their Xingfucun Brewpub. The first 25 cases of each beer will be sold at a killer price: Tuhao Gold Pils (5 percent ABV) for RMB 240 (normally RMB 368) or Dongbei IPA (7.6 percent) for RMB 360 (normally RMB 488). Take a friend given that the rule is one case per person and who would want to choose between the two? For those who can't decide, there's also a mixed four pack for RMB 98.  

Liangma River's SteamRhino just announced that they're opening a second location ... in Shangdi. Open as of today (May 18), this new two-story venue comes packed with a huge 49 drafts, possibly the most in Beijing. Nineteen come from SteamRhino themselves and the remaining 30 from domestic breweries. There are also 49 selections of food (coincidence? We think not). Stay tuned for more information or go for a visit yourself at Nongda Nanlu, Haidian District (6115 0899).

Peiping Machine has two new beers on tap at their Fangjia location from Tianjin Trueman Taphouse: Mianwu Chocolate Milk Stout (brewed with lactose and copious amounts of black chocolate) and the Three Rod Hop Saison. Hop Zombie from Epic is also on tap at both locations. And that’s not all, to usher in the summer they're now offering a daily happy hour, including 20 percent off before 8pm at their Gongti location and 20 percent off before 7pm on Fangjia. 

The Great Outdoors also has four new brews on tap, with the names that couldn’t be more summery: Wild West IPA brewed with three varieties of hops, Snorkeling Pilsner, Blackout Weekend Cider, and a Belgian Bouncing Wheat.

Also launching new brew is Transmountain, who have put on two drafts from Mahanine Brewery: Boundless American Wheat with 5.2 percent ABV and Clouding American Stout with 5 percent ABV.

Last but not least, we visited Wangjing's newest brewpub Hisewel, which has 19-20 on-site-brewed beers on tap courtesy of their brewer Gordon McMeekin. The spacious café-style venue is located at Youlehui and features a relatively mild and excellent Mosaic Gold IPA (5.1 percent ABV) brewed with single Mosaic hops (of course). It's floral, fruity, and easy-drinking with a typical combination of lovely hoppy aromas – pineapple, mango, and pine – and a lingering bitterness reflected by a moderate body and a slightly hazy, straw color, (check our first impression here).

More stories by this author here.

Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
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Photos courtesy of venues, Tracy Wang