Crafters' Tiny Gangsta Combo is Worth the Trek

It normally wouldn’t take us so long to check out a place that sells a burger that nearly took it all in our own Burger Cup, but to be fair, it’s not our fault that Crafters Brewing Co. set up camp halfway to Tongzhou. That said, there is a reason the Tiny Gangsta Burger was able to shoot up through the ranks, and it’s not just the excellent branding that involves a gun-slinging Hutong Weasel.

Though the burger took everyone by surprise, Crafters is no newbie to Beijing’s craft beer scene. Their homebrew drafts started selling at bars around town in 2017, and they quickly made a name for themselves, taking first place in the China Craft Beer Awards with their homonymous Tiny Gangsta Beer.

The new space, situated above an indoor surfing gym in a steampunk-themed plaza, is more than a place to serve burgers to go with their drafts. It allows them to up their beer game with industrial-size brewing equipment that, like the surfers below (the venue neighbors an artificial wave pool), is visible through all-glass walls. 

Many visitors are happy to stick with their famous pale ales, but if you’re going to venture out there, why not make the trek for something a bit more special? A dehydrated orange gose is great for a summer day, and if beer isn’t your thing, you can still hit the tap for the hopped cider, rooibos-peach punch, or berry sangria. It is also just about the only place in town that sells mead, which in itself is almost worth the trip.

Now, about this burger. In short, the Tiny Gangsta is a top-scorer in both the basics and the finer details. The patty itself is juicy and flavorful, and it is paired with smoked bacon, Dutch smoked cheese, caramelized onions, and a thin layer of nacho chips for added texture. But the crowning jewel in our opinion is the sauce, which is made of dehydrated Tiny Gangsta beer. 

If that’s not enough to draw you out, you should know that they offer free-flow beer for RMB 100 on Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm to midnight, which for some party animals is sufficient value to warrant the Didi fare.

In sum, Crafters Brewing Co. is a must-try for any beer or burger enthusiast and is sure to become a staple for anyone who dwells nearby, if it hasn’t already.

Crafters Brewing Co.
Daily, 11am-1pm. 10-209, 24H Gear Factory, Chaoyang Road, Chaoyang District
职人精酿：朝阳区24H齿轮厂西（102国道北）

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Images: Joey Knotts, Crafters Brewing Co.