Tsingtao 1903 Brings The Brewery's Off-Beat Beers to Topwin

Ever since the sign went up a few months ago in front of Topwin Center, the city’s beer watchers have been waiting with mild anticipation for the latest Tsingtao 1903 bar to open and start serving up craft versions of China’s most favorite beer to Sanlitun.

The brewpub is not exactly the first of its kind in the capital – the first Tsingtao 1903, and in fact, the first of any such Tsingtao branded bar outside of Shandong province first landed in Galaxy Soho in 2016, but never amounted to much popularity. By the looks of things so far, however, it would appear that the brewing giant is banking on this one being something more of a success.

For starters, they’ve got the location right, with their façade and outdoor terrace tempting all who meander along Sanlitun Nanlu. Indoors, they’ve also got a double-decker with seating upstairs and down, and the first floor holds a stage, which the bar showed at their opening party on Wednesday night that they are willing to actually make use of it, which suggest that the place may be hosting a few Tsingtao IPA-fueled parties down the line.

The bar is stocked with a somewhat impressive selection of Tsingtao options you’ve probably never tried if you never made it to the old Tsingtao 1903, though we can guarantee the taste will be equally as impressive. They include an IPA, Pilsner, and even a fairly palatable stout, which is better than what we can say of some other major domestic brewers who’ve tried their hand at dark beers.

Taking it to go? Either grab a bag of the tapped stuff (just like in Shandong!) or head for the rear where you’ll find an in-wall refrigerator packed with bottles of every kind – even more than they’ve got on draught.

They’ve even prepared an adventurous food menu – can’t drink on an empty stomach, now can we? Bar snacks like parmesan truffle fries RMB 58), garlic butter edamame (RMB 28), and Thai Sriracha chicken wings (RMB 52) all sound like they’ll be adding a pound or two to our beer bellies, while the mains include Abolon Wonton with chili oil (RMB 52) and panfish fried dumplings. Of course, there’s also classic barbecue if you’d rather relive the days of eating chaun’r and drinking cheap beer at an outdoor grill.

If nothing else, we have to admit that the whole place looks pretty slick, and while it’s not likely to compete with local brewers for the hearts of Beijing beer lovers, it can certainly make a nice new spot for a sit-down and sip.

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Images: Joey Knotts