Slow Boat Brewery Finally Sails into Sanlitun

Founded in 2011, Slow Boat Brewery has long been hiding in plain site with its taproom in Dongsi Batiao. For years, people have asked: when will they open a branch in the epicenter of China's drinking culture, Sanlitun? Today, we finally got a solid confirmation from owner Chandler Jurinka: they've found the right Sanlitun site and will open in July.

After searching for a year, Slow Boat's new flagship brewpub will be located across from the soon-to-open Intercontinental Hotel at 6 Nansanlitun Lu (next to Casa Pagoda) – and it's positively massive compared to their cozy hutong hangout.

RELATED: Chandler Jurinka: A Slow Boat to China

The site has three floors, and will be able to seat 150 customers in total. Outdoor seating is available both on the ground floor and the rooftop. The roof has a 270-degree view of the surrounding area, including Workers’ Stadium and Taikoo Li. A staggered opening will be announced shortly and the official opening is currently scheduled for mid-July.

The new location will also have a brewing facility on site, with beers served directly from tank to table. Annual capacity is a quarter of a million liters, with a 12-hectoliter DME brewhouse (a world-class brewery manufacturer out of Canada). Each floor will have 20 beers on tap.

The Sanlitun craft beer scene is heating up. Jing A has their taproom at 1949, Nbeer occupies Sanlitun SOHO, and Arrow Factory replaced the Vineyard, expanding its reach from Wudaoying Hutong to the Liangmaqiao river. To the west, Great Leap Brewing #12 is not too far away, and The Big Smoke, where Jing A continues to brew, is just around the corner. Now it's time for our 2015 Burger Cup winner to sail into Sanlitun and join them. 

"Our [first] taproom is packed every night. Customers have been asking when we’re opening a second place for a long time. When we found this spot it was immediately clear that it has what it takes to assume the mantle of Slow Boat’s flagship brewpub," said Jurinka. “There’s not a bad seat in the house.”

There will be a full menu on offer at the new taproom, with some items overlapping with the first location, but with more of a focus on sharable comfort foods. “You won’t leave hungry,” Jurinka continued.

“Customers have been asking when we are going to open a bigger place for years. Well, here you are – 15 times bigger," he said.

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Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
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Photos: Slow Boat Brewery