What’s Up in Beer: A Merry Beery New Year, and More
Now that the bombast of Christmas is finally over, we'd like to wish you beerheads a Happy New Year! Let's take a look at some of the best places to raise a pint and toast 2018.
If your New Years resolution involves helping others, than head on over to Arrow Factory. Staying true to the slogan “Cold Beer, Warm hearts,” the brewery will offer some support to the Migrant Children Foundation which is currently raising money for Li Xiaoqing, a 14 year old girl with liver cancer in need of four to six treatments of chemotherapy. With the help of BSB Sanlitun’s parents association and YCIS, her current rounds of chemo (RMB 30,000) have been covered, but she needs further treatment. Enter the generous team at Arrow Factory, which has decided that if you buy a case of 24 bottles of four options – Guanxi Pale Ale, Clone Easy Ale, Blonde on Blonde Belgian Ale, and Seeing Double IPA – they will donate 30 percent of each purchase to the Migrant Children’s Foundation, in order to help cover Li Xiaoqing’s remaining chemo costs. It's an easy way for you to help make a difference for this poor little girl. The cases can be picked up from both Arrow locations, or you can get them delivered. Call 18612647285 for more information.
You can also join the Arrowheads for a New Year’s Eve Party featuring performances by The Malt Teaser and DJ Tik Tok. The night's deals include RMB 80 for a four bottle sampler, bottles priced at RMB 20-30 each, RMB 100-160 for six bottles of Guanxi Pale Ale, Clone Easy Ale, Blonde on Blonde Belgian Ale, or Seeing Double IPA and more. Oh, and free bottled beers will be given out when the clock strikes 12.
Great Leap Brewing is ringing in this NYE weekend by releasing a new brew called By My Doorstep Mild Ale. True to its name, this 3.5 percent ABV beer is perfect for anyone craving something to sip on throughout a holiday afternoon spent with friends and family (your liver will thank you for this milder choice as well!). It has a clear, ruby color with strong notes of biscuit and raisin on the nose, along with a pomegranate finish. The By My Doorstep Mild Ale will be available at all three Great Leap Brewing locations starting on Friday (Dec 29) for RMB 35.
Jing-A has new batches of people’s favorite Day Day Hop and Dongbei IPA back on tap. There's also two new beers. First up: the 4.5 percent ABV Tomato Tamade, which is a collab with Gigantic Brewing and is based on the Mexican Michelada, amounting to a crisp golden ale with additions of lime, tomato, and chili pepper. The other one is Winter Solstice Strong Ale, the recipe of which was designed by Yukun, a homebrewer that won the sixth annual Beijing Homebrew Competition this year. This collaborative, winter-themed beer is essentially a British strong ale at 8.7 percent ABV. Both of these new brews are available at the Xingfucun Brewpub. By the way, Jing-A is launching a third bar inside its Xingfucun Brewpub. Situated near the entrance, it has six taps, and is sure to satisfy patrons in a hurry that couldn't wait out the crowds to reach the central taproom for a cup of joy.
You can also enjoy New Year's Eve countdown parties at both Jing-A locations, for which there will be rotating deals on food and drink and new specials every hour throughout the night. See the deals above.
Slow Boat has Cow on a Boat Cream Ale (above) back on tap this week. It's an easy drinking ale with 4.9 percent ABV, and a malty and sweet body. They also have a new brew called Beet Wave Sour (above) on tap, which also has 4.9 percent ABV and was brewed with beetroot juice, giving it a ruby hue and a pink head, along with tart and earthy flavors.
That brings us to Slow Boat's NYE party which kicks off at 9pm, with DJs, and all night specials on selected beers, tropical cocktails, and complimentary sparkling wine for the countdown. Better still: there'll be free shots for those who show up in their best beachwear. From there, you can head to Migas' New Year's party after 1am and enjoy a 50 percent discount from the entry fee for those who kicked the night off at Slow Boat. One stone two birds, anyone?
I would like to thank you for being with "What's Up in Beer" for a jolly, boozy 2017, and wish you a very Happy New Year!
Photos courtesy of venues, giphy.com
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