What’s Up in Beer: New Beer at Arrow Factory, The Dirty Duck Anniversary Party, High Town New Brunch

Just when we thought Beijing was treating us well, the capriciousness of the weather shows us how brutal it can be. Did you take advantage of Jing-A's 50 percent discount on Airpocalypse yesterday when the AQI surpassed 500? No? Never mind, beer never let us down, so why don’t you sit down, and let’s see the amazing sud news and deals this weekend has to offer.

Arrow Factory has a new beer on tap, a German-style Kölsch with 4.5 percent ABV, served in a 330ml glass at RMB 25. It is light in color and malt character and as they say “light, refreshing, and served in a small glass that gets refilled every time it's emptied ... ” And it is true, I can drink this beer all day long from 10am in the morning. If you missed the Hitachino Nest tasting, Arrow Factory still has the bottles available at Liangma River location. 

You may have heard about Great Leap being raided by the police, but all three locations are now operating at their regular time, so don’t worry and drink on. Their collab brew with Lervig, Sleeping Murphy Mango Saison, is still on tap, as well as the red thumb IPA, which is an India Pale Lager with a spicy aroma. There will also be two interesting beers on tap soon, Dubbel Happiness, and Leap the Dog Barley Rose. Some of the hot food is back to #12 now, "to all Great Leap Customers and Supporters, We want to thank you all for your understanding with regards to us having to suspend some of our operations at our Great Leap Brewing #12 Brewpub over the past couple days. Great Leap Brewing #12 is already able to get a portion of our hot food menu serving again (grilled, non-deep fried menu items), with our beers and cold food unaffected. We will be back to full operation in the next couple of days. Thanks again for everyone's help through this time, and we look forward to being able to serve you our full menu again as soon as possible. This has never affected business at our Great Leap Brewing Original #6 and Great Leap Brewing #45 Brewpub and, as always, don't do drugs. Best, The Great Leap Brewing Team."

Have love-and-hate experience of Beijing fluffs? Jing-A is releasing a new spring blizzard IPA, which is a hazy IPA inspired by the lovely catkins in spring. This pale straw-colored IPA is light, dry, and unfiltered with 6.8 percent ABV, fresh aromas of citrus and melon, the crisp finish is benefited from infusion of jasmine green tea. 

Slow Boat has new two beers on tap, West Coast IPA (a Belgian style IPA) with 7 percent ABV, and the All Hands Amber Ale with 4.8 percent ABV. The former is very hoppy and citrusy but refreshing, and the later is malty.

High Town has started to serve brunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (11am-5pm), with a delicious breakfast plate (RMB 78), cheesy bacon and egg hash (RMB 68), pancakes with fruit (RMB 68), and French toast with fruit (RMB 58). We highly recommend the eggs benedict (RMB 68), with a choice of smoked salmon, or prawn with avocado. To pair with food, try their floral Osmanthus Ale (4.5 percent ABV) and American pale ale.  

Located at Beiluogu Xiang, The Dirty Duck Pub is celebrating its one year anniversary on Friday (May 5, from 6pm -late). Entrance fee is RMB 50, there will be “ducks, roasts, roast ducks, live comedy, and live music“. 

Last but not the least, if you are a fan of Chengdu Harvest Brewery, they will open a bar in Wangjing on May 6, just next to craft beer bar Kamehameha (see our first impression of that bar here). Chengdu Harvest Brewery have their own nine beers on tap, including five IPAs, stout, Belgian wheat, and two German wheats; as well as several imports. The party starts at 5pm, the first 200 pints are for free, and 12 percent off on all the food.

Chengdu Harvest Brewery
Daily 11am-12am. 12-7 Hesheng Qilishe, Wangjing, Chaoyang District
道酿啤酒坊：朝阳区望京麒麟社底商 12-7

Legend Beer plans to open a second place near Dongzhimen, but it’s still not open due to some issues.

So Beijingers, wear your mask, take your passport with you, hold onto your beers tight so they won't get blown away, and stay strong this weekend. You deserve a drink.

More stories by this author here.

Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
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Photos courtesy of venues, Tracy Wang