Summer Sips: Refreshing Craft Beers to Beat the Heat in the 'Jing

The sun is blazing, the skies are (mostly) blue, and it's getting hot as balls out. All this can only mean one thing: summer has hit Beijing. Seeing as the hot weather will last a while -- Plum Rain season can't come soon enough -- we couldn't think of anything better than a cold one to keep the heat at bay. Better yet, skip the Yanjing and grab one of these newer options from the capital's craft beer creators made especially for summer.

Keelboat Kolsch & Qing Xian Session IPA

Slowboat has recently introduced two new brews that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. The first is their Keelboat Kolsch (RMB 40), which boasts traditional German cologne yeast and European malt, resulting in a refreshing aroma of white grapes and fresh bread.

The second, a new creation, is the Qing Xian Session IPA (RMB 45). This beer has flavor notes of oolong and passion fruit, which balance out to make a fruity, but not too sweet combination.

Slowboat Sanlitun (has multiple locations)
6 Nansanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区南三里屯路6号
Hours: 11am-midnight
Phone: 010-65925388

Brooklyn Brewery Pilsner Meets ShackBurger Combo

What's better than a burger? A burger and beer, of course! It's the ultimate satisfaction for your taste buds! This summer, Shake Shack is offering a limited-time set meal that includes their Single Patty ShackBurger alongside a Brooklyn Pilsner Crisp Lager for just RMB 69 (normally costing RMB 84). This lager has a light, citrusy taste that's perfect for summer, but hurry - this offer is only available until Jun 11. 

Shake Shack Sanlitun (has multiple locations)
S9-12A, 12B, Taikoo South District, Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯路太古里南区S9-12A、12B
Hours: 10am-10pm
Phone: 010-64666508

Lemonade Wheat Ale

If you're a fan of lemonade, you'll definitely want to try Goose Island's latest brew, Goose Lemonade (RMB 60). Introduced this May, the beer boasts a crisp and tart flavor thanks to the addition of fresh lemon juice during the maturation process and the zesty aroma is the perfect complement to a hot summer's day.

Goose Island 
BS-06-1F, BS-06-2F, SOLANA, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳公园路6号SOLANA蓝色港湾BS-06-1F,BS-06-2F鹅岛精酿啤酒餐厅
Hours:11am-11:30pm
Phone: 010-59056802

Love, Death and Cryo Hops DIPA & Raspberry Sour

Wild Kite Brewery recently unveiled three exciting new beers. The first is the Love, Death & Cryo Hops Double IPA (RMB 68), inspired by the hit TV series Love, Death & Robots. This brew might dial up the hops and ABV, but it makes up for it with smooth notes of orange, peach, passion fruit and guava.

The second is a thirst-quenching Raspberry Sour Ale (RMB 48), specially crafted for summer. Bursting with 210g of raspberries per liter, this sincere sour beer features a pink hue and a fruity acidity that will make you feel like you're drinking a big cup of vitamin C.

Wild Kite Brewery 
Z Zone, 3 Huayuan Hutong, Andingmen Jiedao, Dongcheng District
东城区安定门街道花园胡同3号紫园内
Hours: 11am-3am
Phone: 010-64022988

A Little Strawberry & No Chill Cold IPA

If you're a fan of Beersmith, you might already be familiar with their South German Weiss (RMB 62) or Cosmic Pale Ale (RMB 60). But this summer, they're introducing a new seasonal beer: A Little Strawberry (RMB 52). This refreshing brew features oats for a hazy body, Rivka hops for a subtle scent, and fresh strawberries for a deliciously fruity flavor.

And that's not all that's new on the menu. Beersmith also has a No Chill Cold IPA (RMB 55), which combines Pilsner malt with heavy hops to give it the same hop character as a West Coast IPA.

Beersmith
1 / F, Hotel Jen, 1, Jianguomenwai Dajie， Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街1号北京新国贸饭店1层
Hours: 11am-2pm
Phone:010-86471098
 

Naples Yellow & Fine Thiols Hazy IPA

Ye Brewing has recently launched a stunning sour beer named Naples Yellow (RMB 60), which is a blend of mango, passion fruit, and pineapple. The beer looks just like a glass of fresh mango juice and has a slightly sweet taste without being overpowering.

Additionally, the brewery has brought out a new item: the Fine Thiols Hazy IPA (RMB 60), which boasts classic citrus flavors derived from the Citra hops. The beer has a juicy and mellow taste bursting with grapefruit flavor, that goes down easily. 

Ye Brewing 野鹅微醺
106 Xuelianliangdian Wenchuang Park, Dongsi Nandajie 106, Dongcheng District
东城区东四南大街雪莲亮点文创园106
Hours: 010-11am-1am
Phone: 010-18613849007

Great Leap

Great Leap's latest addition, the Urban Forest Beer (RMB 40), is aptly named as it boasts a generous number of hops. With four distinct hop varieties, this beer offers a complex flavor profile that includes notes of floral, herbal, citrus, melon, passion fruit, and pineapple. Each sip is reminiscent of a blooming garden, providing a sensory experience that is both refreshing and invigorating.

Great Leap Brewing #6 (has multiple locations)
6 Doujiao Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区豆角胡同6号
Hours: Mon-Thr, Sun:12 pm-11pm
Fri, Sat: 12pm-midnight
Phone: 010-64060510

Peach Lychee & Double Orange Mango Dream Cream

Jing-A has brought not one, but two seasonal additions for summer that are sure to delight any beer lover. The Peach Lychee Dream Cream (RMB 55), part of the Dream Cream series, is infused with a scoop of lychee and peach and finished with a touch of passion fruit. Its "sorbet style" texture makes it the perfect summer treat.

The Double Orange Mango Dream Cream (RMB 55) features a double scoop of orange with a lick of mango, combined with oats and lactose to create a creamy base. These two unique brews are the perfect way to beat the heat and enjoy the flavors of summer.

Jing-A CBD (has multiple locations)
Unit L108\L109, 1F, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区光华路1号1层L108\L109单元
Hours: 11am-1am
Phone:13269939015

Read: Yibin: A Taste of Authentic Sichuanese Cuisine in the Heart of Beijing 

Images: Courtesy of the venues, Unsplash