Inspired by Slow Boat, Three Friends Do Their Take on Craft Beer – With Surprisingly Good Results

The Beixinqiao area recently welcomed another brewpub to its growing arsenal: Flow Brew, which opened last month as a cooperation between three friends. One of the owners, Brian Li, was generous enough to give us a tour of their shiny new digs, explaining the background behind the new venture.

Li, a Beijinger who grew up near Beiluogu Xiang, is obviously not satisfied with his full-time position at Baidu, as he has used his spare time to start his own radio station (Sanhao Radio, which already has more than 100,000 listeners), and now this new brewery. As if that wasn't enough, he and his radio station co-hosts have also started a fashion brand called Fat Chicken on Taobao.

It was the three friends' love of beer that persuaded them to go with the flow. After trying everything from Paulaner to Hoegaarden, Li says: he experienced his "eureka moment" at Slow Boat, and started brewing shortly thereafter in early 2015.

As is to be expected with anyone going into the brewing business, they failed on their first attempt (a wheat beer), but in doing so, found their passion to brew.

"After so many experiments, we noticed that our beers were improving in quality with every brew, always keeping our goal of Slow Boat's quality and taste in mind," said Li.

Flow's brewery, located in Haidian's outer hills, is also stocked with books on Buddhism, helping to keep the team Zen throughout the grueling process of trial and error.

Back to the beers: they currently have eight brews on tap. I sampled four of their own brews: the Demon Warrior IPA (RMB 45), a typical but not overly strong IPA; Whirling Wild House American Pale Ale (RMB 40), a sweet, fruity, and floral nectar; and my favorite, the Smoked Peat Ale (RMB 48), which is a must-try for any fan of Islay whiskeys. There is also the Foreplay Pale Ale (RMB 40), which tastes mild but has notes of tropical fruits.

Flow also serves two other beers of their own creation, a Belgian Wheat Ale and a German Wheat Ale, as well as Captain’s Pale Ale and Imperial Vanilla Stout from their mentors at Slow Boat.

Flow's brews are likely to give Panda Brew good reason to be worry about some stiff neighborhood competition.

Now on to the grub: Japanese beef and chicken yakitori is on hand to soak up some of that beer, as well as Barbecued Miso Pork. French Fries also make an appearance. 

The name “Flow Brew” comes from a saying: “Life is short as water flows.” The team's intention is to build a brewpub that is full of life, instead of creating another cold-blooded and mechanical brewery.

The two-level brewpub mixes an industrial style with Chinese elements and is quite spacious. They've really focused on the details, spending a whopping RMB 10,000 on the venue's golden door alone. We hope it's an expenditure that keeps the people flowing in to try this dedicated team's new brew.

Flow Brew 如流精酿
Daily 5pm-12.30am. Jiaodaokou Beiertiao, near 175 Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng District (186 1825 0946)
东城区雍和宫大街175号交道口北二条东三门

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Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
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Photos: Tracy Wang