No longer just for hipsters with handlebar moustaches from Portland, the craft beer scene is indeed spreading worldwide. With Hong Kong being the epicentre of culinary cool, it makes sense the mighty Special Administration now has several of its own small breweries popping up.
Meet the brewers putting Hong Kong on the beer map ...
Moonzen Brewery Hong Kong
Husband-and-wife team Laszlo and Michele Raphael head up Moonzen from their small ‘nanobrewery’ in Kowloon. The duo are passionate about purity in their brews and their dedication to their craft has seen them win a slew of beer awards.
Moonzen beers are 100 per cent natural, unpasteurised and living, meaning each bottle contains live yeast for a slow ferment in the bottle. As for the name, Moonzen stands for ‘door gods’ in Chinese. The name was chosen because the Raphaels are inspired by Chinese folklore.
The brewery’s year-round menu features five brews, consisting of ale, IPA, honey porter and a chocolate stout. Moonzen also does a specialty range of beers for select Hong Kong establishments, including stylish Wan Chai restaurant The Pawn.
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Young Master Ales
Brewed out of an industrial building in Ap Lei Chau, the masterminds behind the brand feel the brewery in this setting helps to evoke memories of Hong Kong’s industrial past. These guys are passionate about providing Hong Kong with the freshest beer possible.
Fresh = local. Using the highest-quality ingredients, these keen brewers constantly push the envelope, coming up with unique brews that encourage people to change their perception of beer.
Try the range of ever-evolving artisanal ales, including the Captain’s Bar Beer – a collaboration between Young Master and The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, this brew is available exclusively at its iconic namesake bar.
If you’re lucky enough to visit Hong Kong in the spring, keep an eye out for the seasonal In The Mood For Spring beer, a fragrant, floral and earthy Saison.
You can visit the brewery for a tour on Saturdays between noon and 5pm.
Hong Kong Beer Co.
Dubbed the ‘Asian microbrewery pioneer’, Hong Kong Beer Co. started in 1995 and has gone through several iterations. Today, the company has an international team based in Hong Kong with a combined experience in the craft beer scene of more than 100 years.
These guys are the biggest players in the Hong Kong brewed beer scene, and while their machines might be bigger, the heart of the craft operation is still there. Their year-round beer catalogue consists of five constant brews: Gambler’s Gold, a golden ale; Hong Kong Beer, an amber lager; Dragon’s Black, a pale ale; Big Wave Bay, an IPA; and Sevens, a hearty stout.
Hong Kong Beer Co. can be found in several establishments around the city. We recommend checking them out at Fu Lu Shou rooftop bar in Central. Check their Facebook page for the daily pin code to enter access the rooftop.
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