What’s Up in Beer: Imbeer Beer Fest, GLB Tap Takeover, Slow Boat's Clear NE IPA

Getting straight into it, Imbeer is ready to unleash their third China International Craft Beer Festival this weekend (Jul 7-8) from 10am-6pm at the China International Exhibition Center (near Carrefour at Sanyuanqiao). The event includes 100 brands of brew from 62 vendors as well as new brew launches, beer-related lectures, and live entertainment.

The best part? Entry is absolutely free and beer purchases are made via tokens: 12 vouchers cost RMB 150 or get three for RMB 50 (buy ahead of time online here; different beers require varying numbers of vouchers). More info about the event and a full brewery list can be found here.

Anyone pining to get away from the center of Beijing this weekend should check out Great Leap Brewing's tap takeover at Bloom Burst bar located in Lincoln Park in Yizhuang. In addition to their Allied Series, Great Leap’s signature brews like Little General IPA, Edmund Backhouse Pilsner, and Banana Wheat will also be on tap throughout Saturday and Sunday, all sold at RMB 35 per pint. There'll also be a drinking challenge in which anyone willing will receive a punch card. Those who neck five beers are eligible to take home a GLB glass whereas anyone who musters eight will get a Great Leap t-shirt.

Anyone who doesn't want to travel that far might be reminded that GLB has a terrace at their #45 Sanyuanqiao location, where you can grab a cold beer and munch on a slice of pizza or a delicious double cheeseburger.

Don’t judge a beer by its haze. Seeing as New England IPA's are gradually taking over the West's craft beer scene, some people have gone as far as to call this cloudy brew the “anti-IPA.” Apparently, Slow Boat is pushing back against the trend, instead releasing the Glass Bottom Boat New England IPA (7.2 percent ABV and 23 IBU). Low in bitterness with a smooth and creamy mouth-feel, a juicy hoppy aroma, while maintaining a crystal clear body – how did they do it? The answer is ... proteins. Ok, I’ll skip the beer nerd talk for now. Feeling skeptical? So were we until we saw that beautiful golden color ...

After last week's watermelon contest, Jing-A’s bringing their Watermelon Xanadu back to the Xingfucun Brewpub on Friday (Jul 6). With 5.6 percent ABV, it's a refreshing Berliner Weisse brewed using Daxing watermelons, giving it a hint of melon and a dry and tart finish. Also back on Friday is one of our go-to beers: Day Day Hop. This hazy pale ale is brewed with Southern Hemisphere hops, endowing it with notes of bright citrus and stone fruit against a spicy hops backdrop.

The Brewpub will also be staying open late this weekend, as well as on Wednesday and Thursday in order to show the World Cup quarter-final and semi-final matches. Their beer garden at Qingnian Lu's Damei Central Plaza will also be showing all the 10/11pm matches, and if you turn up with a group of 10 people minimum, you can request them to stay open for the 2am games. Reserve your table in advance by calling 183 1001 9871.

After opening a new beer bar in Yizhuang last weekend, NBeer Pub has now collaborated with Soren Eriksen from 8Wired, New Zealand, brewing a 4.5 percent ABV IPA. Key ingredients include waxberries and hops from New Zealand.

Beersmith added two new ciders to its roster this past Wednesday: Meet Very Berry Cider, which is infused with raspberries, blackcurrants, and Shandong-grown apples; and Meet Flower Power Cider, which is also brewed using Shandong-grown apples and infused with osmanthus.  

It's clearly the season cider-lovers because Paddy O’Shea’s is also getting in on the action with a cider tasting today (Jul 5) at 7pm. RMB 200 will get you in and tasting one of the best ranges of cider in Beijing.

Last but not least, anyone who’s around Sanlitun tonight (Jul 6) should check out ​​​​​Little Creatures' Beer School. At 6.30pm, brewmaster Jum Ryan will provide a 45-min intimate lesson on how beer is made. RMB 258 gets you a schooling, a six-beer tasting paddle, six paired snacks, and a 946ML can to bring home. Scan the QR code in the poster above to book a seat.

More stories by this author here.

Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
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Photos courtesy of venues