Booze News: Italian Wine Fair at Frasca, De Refter Turns 3, and Jing-A Heads to Tongzhou

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

ROC Craft Cocktails launch party at Zarah

To kick things off this week, we're happy to announce the arrival of a new Beijing-born range of bottled craft cocktails. Dubbed ROC Craft Cocktails after the mythical bird from Middle Eastern mythology, these drinks "strive for the same larger-than-life character ... combining premium spirits from around the globe with 100 percent juices and natural flavors." The launch lineup includes three cocktails: margarita, long island iced tea, and mojito, ringing in at 11-14 percent ABV. This Saturday, you can try them all for RMB 40 a pop at their Zarah launch party, which will also include rooftop DJ sets from Kai.F, Ludo V, Aida, Darcy, and Vltra_U. The fun runs from 3-11pm.

New bottled beer from Beersmith

Over at Beersmith they've launched their first-ever bottled beer, a portable and picnic-friendly version of their Hopsession Hazy Pale. With a 4.8 percent ABV, fruity notes, and low bitterness, it's tailormade for drinking in the sunshine. Depending on how many bottles you're after, you can buy single bottles for RMB 25, a four-pack for RMB 88, or 24 for RMB 420. Read more and order via this link.

De Refter turns three

Courtyard 4-based Belgian beer bar De Refter celebrates three years in the game this weekend, with DJs Cad 73 and Jaime, and Oshi and Christian on the decks from 9pm onwards on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, as well as Cad 73 and Jason 1,2 from 2pm on Sunday. To celebrate, spritzes will run half price and there'll be 88 shots given away each day. 

Italian wine fair at Frasca

This Saturday, 3-5.30pm, join The Opposite House's Frasca and their in-house sommelier Ashley for this one-off Italian wine fair. For RMB 350, you'll be given a guided tour of 24 varieties of sparkling, white, red, and natural wine from across the country, including classic wine-growing regions such as Lombardia, Tuscany, Piedmont, and Sicily. Make sure to reserve your spot here.

Camera Stylo turns six

Over in the hutongs, film venue-slash-bar Camera Stylo will celebrate their sixth birthday on Friday and Saturday from 7pm onwards. To get the party warmed up, they're offering a free drink to anyone whose photo is featured in this promotional WeChat post for the event. The rest of you are advised to drop by and toast one of the finest independent Beijing bars the city has going for it.

Slow Boat's first Keg Up! event

In accordance with the fine weather as of late, Slow Boat will launch the first in their new Keg Up! series. The premise is simple: the brewery selects a random location around the city to enjoy the sunshine, for which they will provide an entire keg of free beer. In return, you're invited to bring snacks or dishes to fuel the communal vibe. There'll also be activities and music to keep the fun going. On Sunday, starting 2pm, the crew heads to the Liangmahe River, just behind the Bvlgari Hotel. Don't worry, if the free beer runs out before you arrive, there will also be options for RMB 30 afterward.

Jing-A heads to Tongzhou

It's not often we get to announce some exciting Tongzhou news, so we're all the giddier when the occasion arises. Those in Beijing's easternmost district will be happy to hear that this weekend is the inaugural jaunt of Jing-A's new Tang House venue. Opened partly in anticipation of the hordes that will eventually make it out that way for Universal Studios, the venue is "cozier than a brewpub or a taproom," features a sizeable pet-friendly terrace, and is located within the eponymous Tang House boutique hotel. As part of its soft opening, the bar is serving a condensed eight-beer Jing-A all-day happy hour menu alongside food and snacks, and coffee from Big Small. Go check it out at 15 Gebudian Liyuan from 11am to late every day. See the full details here.

EAT: Sake Sensei Dinner, Bobomia Happy Hour, Side Street Renovations, Susu x BSK Cooking Class

Images courtesy of the organizers