What's Up in Beer: Boxing Cat Grand Opening (Again), Mosto and GLB Brunch, Xian's Craft Music Fest
What's Up in Beer is our weekly rubdown of all things ale and suds. Lather yourself in the latest beery news, gossip, and openings all the while forgetting what exactly it was that you were meant to be doing. Don't worry, beer can fix that too.
INN's Monthly Beer Night
The International Newcomers Network head to the new Boxing Cat on Thursday, Oct 18, for an evening of chinwagging and friend-making. The event is free, just need to turn up from 7pm onwards and be in the mood to drink beer.
Boxing Cat Brewery Grand Grand Grand Opening
Speaking of Boxing Cat, they're having their fifth grand opening party in the past two months. We can only assume this will be the grandest of them all and runs 5pm till late on Saturday. There'll be snacks, tunes from man about town Jay 1,2, and of course lots and lots of beer. See what we thought about the place when we reviewed it IN AUGUST.
Great Leap Brewing and Mosto’s Brew Brunch
Food and beer descend upon Nali Patio this Saturday, Oct 20 between 11am and 3pm, for a heavenly pairing brunch courtesy of Great Leap Brewing and Mosto. At this one-off event, diners will have the opportunity to feast on wares from new Colombian Mosto chef Richard Caba alongside matching beers from "Beijing's first craft brewery." On the menu, there'll be the likes of Patacon Paisa (fried green banana, beef, beans, poached egg, avocado, bacon, and Colombian sauce) paired with Diplomatic Mango Tropical Stout; pork belly (crispy pork belly, sweet purple mashed potatoes, carrots, spinach, and housemade barbecue beer sauce) paired with Three Door Tripel, and Mosto’s crumble apple pie (apple pie crumble, vanilla ice cream, and cinnamon crème anglaise) paired with Liu the Brave Stout. We're salivating already. Tickets are RMB 248 and reservations are recommended.
Craft Music Festival at Xian, East Hotel, Beijing
EAST, Beijing hosts its second annual Craft Music Festival this Saturday, Oct 20, from midday to midnight (family session runs midday till 6pm). Attendees can expect music that ranges from Irish rock to reggae, as well as Xian's flatbread pizzas, freshly-shucked oysters, and craft brews from Jing-A, Slow Boat, and NBeer courtesy of the venue's on-site beer haven, the Craft Container. Get there between 5-8pm to enjoy half price on all beers, cocktails, and pizzas.
Slow Boat Family Day Halloween Brunch and New Brew
Slow Boat have just announced their Halloween-themed family day celebration on Saturday, Oct 27, midday till 3pm. There'll be plenty of Halloween games, fall-themed crafts, an open buffet, and a prize for best children’s costume, though "adults are welcome to dress up as well – your reward is beer!". Can't scoff at that. Tickets for adults cost RMB 218, which includes the open buffet (available between midday and 2pm) and a beer, plus games and crafts for the little ones. Children under 10 eat for free. Register here.
The team have just launched their newest brew to the family, the Mei Day Blonde, the fifth installment in their dry-hopped blonde ale series. We've been told that this new iteration has hints of coconut, cantaloupe, and woody characteristics thanks to the addition of a new experimental hop variety, HBC 472, "a wild American hop and subspecies of neomexicanus hops resulting from open pollination." Lost me at wild but yes, please!
And Finally...
Stay tuned for our taste test of Starbucks' new beer-flavored latte. Yes, it's a thing, and will probably help you overcome whatever mess you get yourself in at any of the aforementioned events. Have a good one, Beijing!
Images: Uni You, courtesy of the vendors, starbucks.com.cn
