What’s Up in Beer: ‘80s 'Golden Shower' Party, Third One's On Us Party, Oktoberfest, Beertopia and Dadbag

Hello beer-lovers! First of all, we'd like to say thank you for coming out to celebrate our Pizza Festival last weekend in Wangjing Soho. From what we saw, it seems you all had a wonderful time enjoying the fabulous weather with the city's best pies and pints. But we're not the only ones deserving congratulations this week: honorable mention goes to Jing-A, Beersmith, NBeer, No.18, Taihu, Young Master, Boxing Cat, and Moonzen, who all won prizes at The International Beer Cup 2017 held in Yokohama on Sep 14-15. Just a heads-up, this Saturday will keep you busy.

After a long wait, Arrow Factory is finally making some noise. It's time to throw your inhibitions to the wind and enjoy their '80s-themed 'Golden Shower' party Saturday (Sep 23) at Arrow Factory Liangmahe, 6pm-2am. According to the organizers, “[it's] time to dust off your neon leg warmers, tease up your hair, whack out your denim and bring back that mullet. In the run-up to Golden Week, we want you to RELAX, get all nostalgic and party like it’s the ‘80s again.” There will be special deals on select golden-colored beers, including Two Birds Lager, Blonde on Blonde Belgian Ale, Man with the Golden Hop Country Ale, A New Leaf O.I.P.A. and Man Man Lai Session I.P.A. You can choose any one of the abovementioned for RMB 30, select three brews for RMB 80, or opt for a full-blown "golden shower" with their new 2-liter Brewer’s Bucket, “to Cher (or not to Cher)” for RMB 108. There will be ‘80s throwbacks played by DJ Jager Zhadan, free beers and goodies to win via the beer wheel of fortune, as well as prizes for the best outfits. The first 50 people to follow their WeChat (ID: ArrowFactoryBJ) and send their full name and the words “Golden Shower” will enjoy a free golden beer upon arrival. So dig out your spandex and stay gold, Ponyboy!

Congrats again to Jing-A for their Airpocalypse DIPA and Workers Pale Ale both earning gold medals, and their Tuhao Pils getting a sliver. Since their 1949 taproom is turning three, they will throw a "Third One's On Us" party on Sep 23. You can enjoy a buy-two-get-one-free deal on all beers, all day long. And if you envy the privilege of the mug club members, you can join them with RMB 300 until the end of September. Once in, the renewal fee is only RMB 100. The seasonal Über-Jing Oktoberfest Lager is now back on tap, as well as a new collaboration with Denali Brewing from Alaska, which is a braggot – halfway between a beer and a mead, with 9 percent ABV, and promised floral, citrusy and hoppy aromas.

Remember when Great Leap Brewing released two German-style beers, the Heaven in Earth Kölsch and Honey Ma Lager last week? To celebrate Oktoberfest, they will have a special deal on three of the beers brewed in the German tradition. RMB100 gets you a glass of each – a Banana Wheat, a Heaven in Earth Kölsch, and a Honey Ma Lager on Sep 23, all day.

As many of you might know, Drinking Buddies (WeChat shop:啤友汇DrinkingBuddies) works as an independent distributor and a beer club that sources small-batch beers from around the world and delivers them straight to your door. This month, they target the local market, with their box including popular local and domestic brews. The beer list features:

  • Jing-A’s Workers Pale Ale, a signature newly bottled brew with full flavors
  • Slowboat’s Monkey's Fist IPA, hued orange-gold and promising heavy tropical fruit notes with a bold bitterness
  • JJ Crafter’s Cranberry Cider, a sprightly, floral and light cider with nuances of cranberry against lightly sweet apples
  • No 18’s Tiao Dong Hu, a refreshing and easy-drinking classic for sunny days
  • Wen Shan’s Strong Ale, the newest offering and true to its traditional style, with caramel and dark fruit tones for chillier evenings
  • SNBrew’s Wei Mei 9, the only beer from this brewery and a luscious, heavier addition to this box

Struggling with what present to get for your dear family and friends back home? Or new in town and eager to identify yourself as an in-the-know local? This might be the perfect thing for you. The next five people to register on Drinking Buddies (before the end of September) will get a free T-shirt from Jing-A. So hurry up!

I know some of you have the privilege of starting the long holiday this weekend, and if you happen to be in Hong Kong, make sure you attend the Beertopia at Central Harbourfront (Sep 22-23). You'll be able to try over 500 different craft beers to try from 96 different breweries around the world, including our old friends Jing-A and NBeer. Last year, there were 14,000 people drinking there, and mate, it’s worth it (check our impression from last year here).

And lastly, while I know it is a bit early, if anyone is looking for gift ideas for Christmas, get this Dadbag! This waist bag comes in a series of skin shades and levels of hairiness to match anyone in your family. Sure, it's good for a laugh, but it's also useful for traveling, allowing you to hide your pocket-sized valuables in something too gross-looking for a thief to touch. You'll be sure to fit in with the beer-bellied brew enthusiasts at Beertopia with this bad boy, and it'll be handy to sneak in your favorite bottles and some cheap snacks from the nearby 7-11. Click here for more information.

Have a wonderfully beery weekend and cheers!

More stories by this author here.

Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
Instagram: @flyingfigure

Photos courtesy of venues