Booze News: Award-Winning Bartender Triple-Header, Stone Takeover at Zhujingban, New Brews Galore

Feeling thirsty? Wet your whistle with Booze News, our wrap-up of the week's best bar deals, parties, drink concoctions, industry gossip, and more.

Guest Shifts With Award-Winning Singapore Bartender Summer Chen

Summer Chen of Summerlong bar in Singapore AKA 2019 Mediterranean Inspirations World Champion is set to grace Beijing's bar scene this weekend with some light and summery cocktails.

Chen, who originally hails from Taiwan, won last year's world competition in Ibiza with her Amigos Para Siempre, or "Friends Forever." A combination of a Bloody Mary and a Gibson Martini, the refreshing drink knocked the other competitors out of the water because of its unexpected flavors. As she told Drinks International at the time, "my cocktail surprised the judges because nobody expects to see a clear Bloody Mary. The tomatoes are clarified which lets the Gin Mare shine through."

Unlike most guest-shift bartenders, Chen will hit up not one, but three different spots while in Beijing: Sanlitun's D Lounge on tonight, Jul 4 at 9pm, Mandarin Oriental's MO Bar on Jul 5 from 6-10pm, and brunch on Jul 6 at Migas Mercado. She's readied a different menu for each occasion, which you can read more about by clicking through to each of the events.
 

Stone Brewing Residency at Zhujingban; Launch Party on Jul 6

We were instantly impressed by hutong beer bar Zhujingban when it opened a few months back (which is not really surprising when you consider that its owners are the team behind El Nido, Fang Bar, and The Other Place, but still). By hosting various international breweries in short-term residencies, the bar aims to introduce lesser-known brews to Beijing, and ensure that there is always something new and fresh on tap. Now, they are really upping the ante by inviting San Diego heavyweights Stone Brewing for a two-month residency, with a launch party on Jul 6.

The owners say, "For the opening day event, we will crack open a limited edition barrel from Stone's archive beers selections. In addition, there will be giveaways and lots of drunken revelry [and] running amok." They'll have a happy hour with discounts that will be confirmed soon.
 

Jing-A's New Brews and Specials

Jing-A is brewing up plenty of tempting goodies as of late. First up: their two latest beers, the Paihuanggua and the Caonimei IPA. The former is a goss take on the ubiquitous cold summer dish, brewed with cucumbers and a hint of sea salt to "brighten the flavor," making it, "the perfect beer for cooling off in the heat of Beijing summer," say Jing-A. You can also order the beer with a garlic garnish, available on request.

Be careful how you pronounce this one, folks. Jing-A's new 草NI莓 IPA (6 percent ABV) is either 'Strawberry IPA' or 'F**k Your Sister' IPA depending on your tones and is made with fresh strawberry juice, vanilla, oats, and lactose for a creamy, fruity milkshake mix that'll leave you cursing up a storm in satisfaction.

Speaking of refreshing summer brews: the long-beloved Jing-A Beijing Bikini watermelon wheat beer will be back on tap as of tomorrow, Friday, Jul 5. The seasonal drink is a 4.5 percent ABV beer made with watermelons from Daxing in southern Beijing (most notably now home to the city's massive new airport). The brewers call it a "crisp summer brew with a watermelon kick and a dry, sparkling finish."

Lastly, Jing-A's taproom also has a number of new food specials available. From weekday lunch specials to half-price ribs and wings on Tuesdays and a DJ on Saturday nights, they are really laying on a spread.

Great Leap's Honey Ma Session Ale

Finally, Great Leap is keeping their Honey Ma series going with a new installment: Honey Ma Session Ale. The eighth in the popular beer series features honey infused with Sichuan peppercorns, and while those ingredients give the dry-hopped brew a distinctly Chinese quality, it's complemented by a citrusy and zesty aroma of American hops. The brewers say its Sichuan peppercorns make for a "refreshing, tingling, and satisfying for a beer." What's more: at a mere 3.8 percent ABV, and priced at RMB 25 for a 340ml pour, it's highly drinkable and offers plenty of bang for your buck.

Have you voted in the latest round of the 2019 Beijing Burger Cup?
We're almost down to the Elite Eight!

Photos: Jing-A, courtesy of event organizers, Great Leap Brewing