Top 10 Hong Kong craft beer bars
Hong Kong has well and truly jumped on the craft beer band wagon and those looking to quench their thirst with a ginseng microbrew should skinny jean their way through this list.
Hong Kong may be a little late to the craft brew party but in the wake of continuing global interest in the industry, Hong Kong has produced a small but determined batch of local brewers who are now found in bars and restaurants all over town.
While by no means exhaustive, here is a selection of establishments where the likes of Hong Kong’s Young Master, Moonzen and Fat Rooster brews can be sniffed out – as well as a whole host of other offerings from the rest of the world.
Either in upscale diners or more casual summer pubs, residents have a plethora to choose from.
The Globe
With a Happy Hour that starts as soon as it opens at 10am, it could be tempting to sit here all day, glugging one’s way through the myriad of ales and beers that come from anywhere around well, the globe.
With ever-changing tap takeovers and old favourites, including some of HK’s own -Typhoon 8 and Young Masters – the Globe is a national treasure, nestled underneath the Escalator on Graham Street with comfortable sofas and a meaty menu to soak up all the booze.
Garley Building, 45-53A Graham St, Central, 2543 1941
Rockabilly
Feeling a bit like a cross between a car repair garage and a Deep South tattoo parlour, Rockabilly also combines the unbeatable duo of sliders and an excellent list of craft beers from South Africa, New Zealand, the UK, the US and Hong Kong, with Fat Rooster being a new addition.
It may be located in HK’s youthful drinking district, Lan Kwai Fong but Rockabilly’s plethora of neon, salvaged urban adornments and of course, cool 1950s rock, elevates it above the drunken din going on at ground level outside.
12 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, 2869 0099
Crafty Cow
A cosy little gastropub in Hong Kong’s ‘Poho’ district in Sheung Wan, Crafty Cow has more stouts, bitters, IPAs, ales then one can shake a flat cap at.
A particular highlight is the Hopwired IPA from New Zealand that claims to be a “Top 40 IPA to try before you die,” which offers tropical fruit aromas akin to the country’s other alcoholic gem, Sauvignon Blanc.
3 Upper Station Street, Sheung Wan, 2915 8988
Belgica
Located in Hong Kong’s trendy waterfront hangout, Kennedy Town (K-Town), it seems fitting that Belgica would offer oysters, moules frites and over 50 types of Belgian beer.
Designed to resemble an old-stye beerhall with exposed red brick and wooden window panes, Belgica is no longer just for K-Town locals as outsiders also pile in to taste their Trappist and Abbaye specials.
Shop B2, G/F., 25-33 Hau Wo Street, Kennedy Town, 2817 7717
The Roundhouse Taproom
Another Soho stalwart, the Roundhouse claims to be Hong Kong’s first taproom offering 25 craft beers on tap and a hearty menu of sausages, pulled pork, ribs – anything meat related, in fact.
For the headstrong/already inebriated, there’s the challenge of downing a shot of the world’s strongest beer, Armageddon from Moray-based Brewmeister with an ABV of 65 per cent.
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62 Peel Street, Central, 2366 4880
The Ale Project
Proudly informing the world that it was founded by “a group of self-proclaimed beer geeks,” the Ale Project is a quaint American-style joint tucked away in Mong Kong, proving that not everything cool happens in Central.
In full support of local breweries such as Young Master and Hong Kong Beer Co alongside dozens of others from New Zealand, the US, Italy, England and Belgium, even stubborn HK islanders will dare to venture to ‘the dark side’.
15 Hak Po St, Mong Kok, 2468 2010
Tipping Point Brew Co
Once drinkers have got over the fact that it’s an all-in-one micro-brewery, restaurant and bar squeezed on Wyndham Street, they’ll delight in the some of the best selections of microbrews in town that are presented in imaginative flavours such as ginseng, kumquat and hazelnut.
A hit with the besuited after-work crowd, Tipping Point also dishes up solid Western grub including classic chicken gravy poutine – perfect for boozed up bankers.
79 Wyndham Street, Central, 2868 2892
Hong Kong Brew House
Offering over 90 craft beers from all over the world, Hong Kong Brew House is a firm favourite located in again, party central Lan Kwai Fong.
Keen to distance itself from other run- of-the mill pubs however, it also hosts regular live music acts, quiz nights and stand-up comedy.
G/F & Basement, 21 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, 2522 5559
The Hop House Pub & Grub
With Belgian specials De Koninck and Vedett on tap, the Hop House is a cool Wan Chai hangout and sister restaurant to the Hong Kong Brew House.
Those looking for a little barbecue with their brew will find plenty of Cajun delights, served in reliably American-sized portions.
Shop 14 1/F, Causeway Center, 28 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, 3100 0545
Ruggers
Despite the rather posh-boy moniker, Ruggers is a totally down-to-earth Causeway Bay hideout which makes a career out of bottled Belgian beer and English ales.
After the Rugby Sevens however, non-sporty types have to brace themselves for a plethora of red trousered and up-turned collared rugby gents looking to indulge in Happy Hour lagers.
G/F, 6 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, 2777 7638
