What’s Up in Beer: Beer Run, Thundergod and Jade Emperor Ales, GLB and TRB Bites Champagne Brunch

After surviving yesterday's rainstorm, isn’t it time to celebrate?

Thankfully, El Nido didn’t float away down Fangjia Hutong. Instead, they're enjoying some new imports, including Fruili strawberry beer from Belgium, which with 4.1 percent ABV, is a sweet and sour elixir similar to strawberry juice mixed with wheat beer, and one that people can drink all day. To show their respect to the rain deities, they've also brought in Thundergod Ale and Jade Emperor IPAs from Moonzen brewery in Hong Kong. The former is a 5 percent ABV and very refreshing ale with aromas of tropical fruits, while the latter is a 7 percent ABV IPA, with a kick of citrus and floral aromas, likely to make it a hit when consumed with spicy chuan’r or a round of chicken wings like I encountered on UnTour's new hutong food itinerary.

They also have Rød Grød Med Fløde from Toøl (6 percent ABV), as we mentioned previously, which is a fruity IPA named after a classic Danish dessert and brewed with raspberries, blackcurrants, strawberries, and redcurrants. As you might expect, the beer is especially fruity but also has a certain tartness and a bitter finish. After trying my first bottle of Rød Grød Med Fløde at the CCBF, it instantly became one of my favorite beers. It's also fun to try the tongue-twister of a name after you've had a few.

If you didn't get your fill yetserday, here's your chance to brave the rain and join the third Sunset BHS Beer Run today (Jul 21) in Wangjing. This one starts at sunset and will guide you to four bars: Single Malt Club China, Container Beer Shop, Im Beer, and finish at Tiaopi. The event starts at 7pm, and the race will begin at 7.38pm (exactly the time of sunset, which you might have to imagine given the cloud cover) at Single Malt Club China. RSVP by WeChat: BJbrew.

After being sold out within two weeks, Jing-A released Watermelon Xanadu, with 5.6 percent ABV, this Berliner Weisse sour beer was brewed with local watermelons from Daxing and some hibiscus, it has a dry and tart finish.

On Sunday, Founders Brewery from Michigan will take over Jing-A Taproom, with four beers on tap: Mosaic Promise (American Pale Ale) with 5.5 percent ABV, Rübaeus (Raspberry) with 5.7 percent ABV, Founders Porterwith 6.5 percent ABV, and Kentucky Breakfast Stout with 12.4 percent ABV. To sweeten the deal, there’s an all-day 10 kuai discount on each pint, or you can order a flight of all four Founders beers for RMB 120.

Also on Saturday, Cuju is celebrates its fourth anniversary with 50 percent off all food and RMB 30 for Jing-A beers, or RMB 100 for four pints. Dress like a pirate and you will be suitably rewarded by Captain Badr.

Over at Great Leap Brewing, their Best Bitter is now on tap at all locations. Brewed with pale ale, caramel and crystal malts, and Styrian Goldings hops, their newest addition is a refreshing summer session ale with 4.2 percent ABV.

GLB will also release a new beer called Leaping the Dog Barley Champagne, which is a co-brew with Australian brewery Moon Dog Brewing, to commemorate their 500th batch of beer. This beer was hopped with Hallertau Blanc hops and fermented with champagne yeast, and has floral and hoppy characteristics. The release falls on July 31, at GLB #45 (the pizza one), cooperating with TRB Bites, and for RMB 350 (GLB members) or RMB 400 (early birds) or RMB 450, you’ll get the champagne brunch with a five-star meal plus beer pairings. Contact jimmy@greatleapbrewing.com for more information.

More boozy stories by this author here.

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

Photos: BHS, El Nido, Great Leap, blackheartsandsparrow