What’s Up in Beer: Beer Takeover at Queenie's, Year of the Rooster Farewell Party, and a Beer With Chocolate Pairing Session

Tracy Wang, Senior Editor | Jan 18, 2018 4:00 pm | Add a comment | 1259 reads

Hey beer lovers, the lucky among you (including some of Beijing's top brewers) may have recently swapped the cold grasp of Beijing for the sunny beaches of Southeast Asia, making January a low season for Beijing beer. I have to confess that right now I myself am on a remote island, where the beer choice is limited to Chang or Singha, making me wistful for Beijing’s many options. Nevertheless, I'll use this opportunity to live vicariously through you all.

Slow Boat teams up with Queenie’s Sandwiches & Bar in Chaoyangmen, taking over the new sarnie joint on Friday (Jan 17) at 7pm, with a selection of five brews and the chance to meet their brewer. The first 20 customers will get a free bottle of Zombie Pirate Pale Ale, while all Slow Boat beers will be available at RMB 25 for the 7-9pm early birds, then RMB 30 from 9-11pm, and back to RMB 35 after 11pm.

Following Flying Monkey’s takeover last week, The Great Outdoors at Fangjia Hutong are now stocking 12 brews from American brewery Ballast Point, including their Sculpin IPA, Grapefruit Sculpin IPA, Fathom IPA, Manta Ray IPA, Sour Wench Blackberry Berliner Weisse, Big Eye IPA, Even Keel Session IPA, and Victory at Sea (a high west barrel-aged imperial porter).

Over at Arrow Factory, the team has just launched a four-bottle sampler pack featuring their Clone Easy Ale, Blond on Blonde Belgian Ale, Guanxi Pale Ale, and Seeing Double IPA for RMB 90, making a Friday night at home that much tastier. You can also grab one (RMB 20-30), or six bottles (RMB 100-150) to take away.

It might be a little early for New Year's celebrations, but some like to plan ahead. Jing-A Brewpub Xingfucun is one such entity, gearing up to celebrate Spring Festival with a final Year of the Rooster party on Feb 3. Show up in red and you'll enjoy an all-night happy hour discount on their red drinks, such as Koji Red Ale, Fifth Ring Red IPA, Negroni, mulled wine, and the Lucky 8 Lager, which is specially brewed with fresh pomelo every winter to celebrate Chinese New Year. Order a stein of any beer, and you will get a hongbao containing random prizes, discounts, and there's even a pair of red underwear for one lucky winner. Good luck!

Also on Feb 3, NBeer Pub Huguosi location will team up with PlanetChoco to organize a chocolate with beer pairing from 4-5.30pm. For RMB 130 early bird or RMB 150 at the door, you can taste the following six pairings: