Talking Pints: Great Leap Distribution Pulled, MMA at the Hilton, Danny Rampling, Modernista and The Malt

The big drama in Beijing nightlife this week was the news that Great Leap are no longer able to distribute their beer to other bars and have had to cease production at their Mutianyu brewery. It's not all bad news, but it's a blow to the team's plans to expand distribution around Beijing.

In light of all the food scandals that have taken place this year, from recycled oil to clenbuterol-contaminated pork, the relevant authorities have decided not to issue any new licenses for Beijing-based producers of food and drinks. Great Leap were in the process of applying for a license for their Mutianyu facility, and so the new rules mean their application has been refused.

This isn't the end of the world for Great Leap and brewmaster Carl Setzer, though for the time being it forces them to scale back their plans for domination of Beijing's beer scene. Fortunately, Great Leap's Doujiao Hutong bar is fully licensed, so they'll still be able to produce and serve from there. But that's pretty much the only place you'll be able to drink Great Leap for the moment.

The few bars that Great Leap was distributing to still have some stocks left, and will be serving until the taps go dry, so if you live on the east side of town, make the most of the last few days of Great Leap's availability in Chaoyang. Paddy's has a few days' supply left, Black Sun reckon around a week's worth, and The Brick tell us their supply will likely run out at some point this weekend.

Now, what else is going on this week?

If you're up for a night of dinner and fighting this Saturday, head over to the Hilton Beijing for their Black Tie Charity Brawl. They're bringing in a real ring and some mean-looking MMA fighters for several bouts, with dinner and drinks packages available starting from RMB 888. That starts at 7pm. Give them a call now on 5865 5120 to find out more and make a reservation.

After their opening party was closed down by the police, Baochao Hutong bar Modernista is open again and quietly settling into a life of regular jazz nights, a hearty selection of absinthe and free tapas with your drink.

I stopped in at a new whisky bar called The Malt last night, which is in "Vintage," a kind of Fangjia Hutong-esque "art district" just across from the Sofitel on the south side of Jianguo Lu. They've got over 300 whiskeys, including a 55-year-old Macallan and numerous malts that are now out of production. If the name "Port Ellen" means anything to you, you definitely know your whiskey – well, The Malt has various bottles of Port Ellen in stock. They also sell it for several hundred kuai a glass, so good luck to you if you can afford a dram. Still, they do have some interesting whiskeys at more affordable prices, starting from around RMB 60. They also do some decent cocktails, courtesy of a very knowledgable and capable bartender with stints at Apothecary, Glen and most recently Twilight on his CV.

Elder statesman of UK dance music, Danny Rampling, is at Punk on Friday night (Nov 18). This was announced fairly last-minute, so it's not had too much press. Get the word around if you know anyone with hazy memories of holidays to Ibiza and a fondness for dropping lines like "Everything begins with an 'E.'"

Also this Friday (Nov 18), Dutch techno maestro Secret Cinema is at Lantern for a sure-to-be-special set (RMB 80, 10pm). I'd be split between that and Monika Kruse, who's playing Haze on Friday (RMB 100, 10pm). Check out our interview with her here.

On to Saturday, and The Syndicate's monthly session is at Tango, with Donkey Tonk, Blackie, LYDNB, Slide and D-N on the decks. That's RMB 50 and gets underway from 10pm. Also on Saturday, Tianjin boy Eddie Lv invites several of his hometown heroes over to Mo Lounge for a night of house, techno and drum & bass. That's free and starts at 10pm.

Now that rooftop season is unquestionably over, Migas are going to carve a space out for a new bar that will be separate from the restaurants. Look out for that opening soon.

Agua is launching a new happy hour on December 1. After 10pm every night, they'll be offering RMB 40 cocktails, mixed drinks and wine by the glass.

Chocolate welcomes Italian singer and composer In-Grid for a night of song on December 2.

Finally, in case you didn't already know (I'm sure we told you somewhere!), 12SQM is under new managment. Incoming bosses Lauren and Mike have a few events coming up, with Randy Abel Stable playing on November 18, a whisky tasting with Paul Mathew on November 25 (don't miss that if you're into whiskey – Mathew knows his stuff better than most in Beijing) and, starting Nov 30, a Christmas-themed film every Wednesday. Is it that time already?