Let There Be Beer: Prodigy Brewpub Opens in Xingfucun Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

A professor, a pilot, and a dentist walk into a bar... and that's where this joke stops because as it turns out, this unlikely trio are actually the founders of one of Beijing's newest venues, Prodigy Brewpub.

A few weeks back, the only place you could get Prodigy Brewing Co. beer in Beijing was at Side Street bar or at a few hotpot or shaokao spots dotted around town. Now, after two years without an exclusive home of their own, the craft brewery has its own pub in Xingfucun.

Prodigy Brewpub boldly opened in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, and what’s more, they did so with a fully transparent glass facade, allowing authorities to easily peer in to make sure that the pub is not overly packed. (Currently, only 29 customers are allowed in the bar at the same time.)

Fortunately, the pub is spacious enough, and the log-cut wooden tables large enough, to put a healthy distance between diners (or drinkers, as the case may be). There is even an area clearly meant for a stage, but while Prodigy may one day accept live performances, for now, it's merely a placeholder for beer kegs.

For anyone who is already familiar with the brewery, it's perhaps best known for their Beijing Haze beer, a hefeweizen with a texture comparable to Belgian brews like Hoegaarden, but with its own distinct taste, as well as their Happy Hydra IPA (on tap for RMB 45) that hits hard on the palate. But the brewpub has a number exclusive options worth trying, including the smoother and full-bodied Rush Hour New England IPA (RMB 55) and the more sessionable Thirsty Farmer Farmhouse Ale (RMB 40). Those with an aversion to beer can join in on the fun as well, with a Wild Cherry Cider in addition to the regular apple cider (both RMB 45).

The coronavirus outbreak may have forced the Beijinger to postpone our annual Burger Cup, but the fact remains that you're not a true Beijing brewpub unless you have your own signature burger. Here, the Honey Mustard Chicken Burger and the Buffalo Chicken Burger both might be worth a try, but if it's your first time at Prodigy, what you're really looking for is the Prodigy Supreme Burger.

Aptly named, this burger is the masterstroke of bar manager Mario Liu. With two pieces of bacon on a white-cheddar-filled patty, dark vinegar-stewed onion, and a piece of yellow cheddar fried solid, it is as packed with flavor as the IPA it's paired with (buy a Happy Hydra IPA and fried ham croquetas combo for RMB 118 or the burger on its own for RMB 69).

When things get back to normal, Prodigy has enough in store to win its share of regulars and give the more established craft brew venues nearby a decent run for their money.

Prodigy Brewpub
39-9 Xindong Xingfuercun Erxiang, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新东幸福二村二巷39-9号

READ: 6 Wine Delivery Vendors to Get You Through Quarantine, Because... Wine

Images: Joey Knotts