How Do You Like Them Apples? iBrew's Rapid Growth

Beijing’s hopping craft beer scene ranks among the city’s top food and drink stories over the past decade. It wasn’t long ago that the appearance of icy Stella taps or the listing of Rogue Dead Guy Ale in a handful of bars caused great excitement.

Now we are spoiled, with hundreds of options, and are see a growing number of people taking the DIY route, with the Beijing Homebrewing Festival contest last December drawing more than 50 entries.

But if the beer scene is on a steady footing, cider is still taking baby steps. There are many imported brands, but few homemade varieties. Brandon Fisher of iBrew Homebrew Beers and Ciders is among them.

His cider success came quickly: he joined the Beijing Homebrewing Society in early October, finished his first ciders and beers in late November, and saw both earn third-place spots at the December contest.

“I got a lot of good responses and many people are very interested in hand-crafted cider,” says Fisher. “It’s not your regular commercial cider.”

He then launched iBrew over Chinese New Year and production has grown from two initial 20-liter batches to 400 liters per month, and rising, with his portfolio including two beers and two ciders – an apple and a pear. He has also experimented with peach, cherry and blackberry ciders.

Fisher’s ciders weigh in at about six percent alcohol and, he stresses, develop aromas and tastes far more than mass commercial products.

“A cider bottled two weeks ago will look, feel and taste completely different than one aged two or three months,” he says. “The younger cider is less tart and less carbonated. The older cider has mellowed but is tart like a sparkling apple wine.”

He also likens what he calls the “craft beer revolution” in China to what has been happening in wine. “What evolved originally from wine tasting has captured the brewing scene. Folks are looking for the bouquet or nose, the body or mouth feel, the overtones and undertones and finishing flavor.”

But at the end of the day, it’s all about enjoyment. “It’s a great way to bring people together,” he says. “It sets aside cultural differences and creates interesting discussions.”

You can try products from iBrew at NBeer Pub and 12SQM. Follow Brandon’s progress at livebeijingmusic.com/ibrew.

Photos: Jim Boyce