What’s Up in Beer: Builder on Brett Tasting, BOGOF Beers at El Nido, Free Firkin Cider

Autumn in Beijing may not be the "season of mists and mellow fruitfulness," but it's an oasis of pleasant weather between the searing heat of summer and the brutal cold of winter. At these times we might start to consider that, as sci-fi author Matt Haig puts it, “a human life is on average 80 Earth years or around 30,000 Earth days.” How many good days are left for us to sit in the sunshine, enjoying friendship and a quality beer? Carpe diem, my friends, seize the day. Let's see what's on offer to make the near future all that more special.

If you like to chill in the yard with a delicious beer in hand (and frankly, if you don't, you're reading the wrong column), don’t miss this Saturday's (Aug 25, 11.30am) tasting and discussion at Great Leap Brewing #6 (Doujiao Hutong). During the event, their new 10.9 percent ABV Builder on Brett will be proudly unveiled, the result of aging Wall Builder Imperial Stout in Scotch Whiskey Barrels for 8 months with Brettanomyces Claussenii (a funky yeast that makes flavorful beers). A presentation about the usage of Brett in beer production will be led by GLB’s brewmaster Carl Setzer and Innovation and Training Manager Enda Winters. RMB 150 will get you:

• A pint of draft during the presentation;
• Two side-by-side tastings to compare Wall Builder Imperial Stout Barrel Aged with the newly-released Builder on Brett, and also Builder on Brett with famous Belgian beer Orval;
• A limited edition 750ml bottle of Builder on Brett to take home (worth RMB 148).

And of course all you ever wanted to know about Brettanomyces yeast (to learn more about this yeast, click here). Email jimmy@greatleapbrewing.com to reserve a spot. If you can’t make it, dry those tears; bottles of Builder on Brett will be on sale at both Great Leap locations on Aug 25 for RMB 148 after the event.

How time flies! On Saturday, Sep 1, Slow Boat Brewpub in Sanlitun will celebrate its second anniversary, including RMB 25 pints of Monkey’s Fist IPA between 4-7pm on the first floor, with music provided by DJ Dirty Dishes on the turntables. Stop by and say happy birthday to the 'Boaters.

To celebrate having survived the latest round of the Great Brickening, El Nido @ The Other Place has introduced a weekday happy hour from 6-8pm. Every single beer (yes, even the pricier options) is buy one, get one free during this two-short two-hour window. When you consider that includes Nøgne Ø’s Dark Horizon Fifth Edition Imperial Stout (RMB 135/330ml), Moa Red Stag Wheat, and Black Market’s Farmstead Limoncello IPA, this is one of the best deals in town. Also, the venue has collaborated with Palms L.A. Kitchen and Bar, offering a special lunch deal of BOGOF tacos from midday-2pm on weekdays.

In case you didn’t know, 3 Little Pigs may well have the largest cider collection in the hutongs, including options from the Firkin Cider Co. out of Somerset i.e. the home of cider as well as several from Orchard Pig that we particularly like (check out our previous cider tasting of those here). Pro tip: These tangy and tart ciders pair great with Andy’s rich and juicy pulled pork burgers.

Sticking with Firkin, they've also just launched their range at Paddy O’Shea’s on Aug 23. If you manage to make it over in time, go claim your free cider flight.

Finally, The Great Outdoors is also welcoming a bunch of new imports to their shelves: Melvin Brewing’s Hubert MPA American Pale Ale, and Melvin IPA; Black Market’s Tradecraft Series Cucumber Gose, Aftermath IPA, New England Style Double IPA, and Seek & Destroy Smoked Quadruple IPA; Boulevard’s Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale Saison; and Epic’s Lupulingus Imperial IPA. Phew, that's a weekend's worth of tasting right there. Go get it, Beijing!

More stories by this author here.

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