What’s Up in Beer: Peiping First Birthday, Jing-A’s Party, Slow Boat’s Secret Weapon, NBeer’s Sanlitun Soho Closure

It’s steaming hot outside, and if you're not sweating like a pig then you are the chosen one, and I envy you. Yes, this time of year does indeed have its benefits and drawbacks. And while Independence Day falls on this coming Tuesday, there are several events to keep you hydrated until that big occasion. So hoist your beer up toward the blazing sun and let that glassful shine, like an intoxicating sparkler on the 4th of July.

Peiping Machine, the taphouse located at 46 Fangjia with 32 taps from domestic brewers and imports, is turning one year old on Friday (June 30). For RMB 200, you can get all-you-can-drink, and free-flow jianbing from 4pm to 2am. Oh, don’t forget to ask for a special glass to take away.

Out of Step, a bar near the New Zealand Embassy with Canadian imports on tap from Black Kettle, Fuggles & Warlock, Hearthstone, and Postmark, will celebrate Canada Day with a Red Party on July 1 (8.30pm-1am). RMB 40 (pre sale, or RMB 50 at door) will get you in the door with a growler for free. What's more, there will be music all night, performed by music producer Yan, along with VJ, DJ and producer Wu Jing, and bass player, programmer and producer PR. Dress code: red or white. Get your tickets here, and let's get out of step together!

It’s the season for watermelon again. And that can only mean one thing: Jing-A has its Beijing Bikini Wheat back (4.5 percent ABV) on tap for the third time (oh, how time flies) launching it with a Watermelon Eating Challenge on July 1. The competition has six rounds, each scheduled to be 30 minutes long, happening from 3-6pm. Anyone who joins and be the first person to finish their slice of watermelon will win a free beer. Then the championship match will be at 6pm, and the fastest watermelon muncher will win a massive canvas of the Beijing Bikini’s label art. If you're not so competitive, you can also enjoy the competition from the audience while enjoying glasses of the Beijing Bikini, which will be poured all night with a RMB 10 discount. Jiayou!

Also, as a relief to all this hot weather, Jing-A has released a new beer called Lychee Xanadu, which is the latest in their Xanadu series of Berliner Weisse-style beers. This cloudy straw-colored ale was soured with lactobacillus and infused with loads of juicy Chinese lychees. With enticingly sweet flavors like white peach and lychee, it is balanced by a refreshing tartness and a sparkling, off-dry finish.

And here's some even juicier Jing-A related news. Fans of The Big Smoke will be interested to hear that the deep south barbecue spot will be closing down for a while for renovation. Sources involved tell us Jing-A will take over the space and reopen it after that. So you better head there now for one more go before any changes take place. We look forward to seeing what the endlessly creative Jing-A team does with this new venture. Stay tuned for more information!

After releasing some new beers last week, the Torpedo Juice Coffee Kölsch and White Cap IPA, Slow Boat Brewpub is keeping the momentum going with two new cocktails. The first: a Sour-Cherry Bourbon, which is a bourbon version of an old fashioned, infused with dry cherries to add complexity. Their second new cocktail offering is the Thai Collins, a refreshing summer cocktail to pair with one of the brewpub's Lao Thai Thai burgers. They also have a new secret weapon: a canning machine, in order take-away draft beers more easily. Order any beer on tap to take away, and the Slow Boat sailors will pour them in a can for only RMB 25 (for a massive 500ml). The deal lasts from next Monday-Friday (July 3-7).

To celebrate Independence Day, Great Leap Brewing is putting on some special deals. RMB 100 will get you any two beers and a burger or sandwich at Great Leap Brewing #12 (the burger one). Meanwhile, RMB 200 will get you any four beers and a whole pizza at Great Leap Brewing #45 (the pizza one). These deals are so good you'll be tempted to shout the joyous, profanity laden theme song from Team America: World Police.

Don’t forget to order a pint of dry-hopped cider at Beersmith next Tuesday (July 4), which is on a buy one get one free offer all day long. This cider was brewed with apples from Shangdong province, fermented with specialty champagne yeast, and infused with American Mosaic hops to add more citrusy fruitiness. Also they released a lunch set featuring a soup and a choice of eight mains, along with a pils or soft drink for RMB 88 on weekdays.

NBeer will organize a beer tasting on July 2 (4-6pm) at their Huguosi location, and RMB 588 will get you a chance to try 25 different barley wines, enjoy cheeses, and nibble on some finger food. Reserve a seat via WeChat (ID: BHSxia). Also, you may have noticed that their location at Sanlitun Soho is now closed, so patrons better head west to Huguosi or Wukesong instead.

And here's some more good news: Flow Brew, which opened just last March, survived the Great Brickening. Getting inside might be a bit hard, due to the fact that the door is now blocked off, so you'll need to head to the small hidden entrance (from the place with the green tick above). All your favorites are still on tap, such as Demon Warrior IPA, Whirling Wild House American Pale Ale, Foreplay Pale Ale, Smoked Peat Ale, and German Wheat Ale.

That's all we got this week, God bless America ... and your liver. Cheers!

More stories by this author here.

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