Not too long ago, fans of craft beer in Hong Kong would have had to search long and far for a locally-brewed beer. The artisanal adversary to your run-of-the-mill six-pack remained a middling scene in Hong Kong, overshadowed by imports and commercial beer. Crowds thirsted for the taste of something adventurous that distilled the city’s epicurious spirit.
It’s a good thing craft beer eventually took off, with May’s opening of a restaurant-brewery a clear example of how it has resonated locally. The boom of this beverage trend sees Hong Kong with an upwards of 35 breweries. Many turn to local craft beer for the heritage and story behind each can, one that simply cannot be replicated by craft beer’s corporate counterparts.
Moonzen Brewery
When Michele and Ladislao Raphaël founded Moonzen Brewery in 2014, it was a chance to acclimate craft beer to local tastes while sharing a rich tapestry of Chinese culture to anyone who tries a bottle of their beer. “Every beer has its own story that will connect drinkers to the culture,” Raphaël explained in a 2019 profile. As you drink from a bottle of Moonzen, you might taste an ale inspired by spices of Sichaun or a dubbel made from Chinese mushrooms. And because the beer brand is fervent in displaying its affection for the culture, each special edition beer is also designed by a local artist to promote the art sector at home.
18 Shing Yip Street, Kwun Tong; moonzenbrewery.com
Young Master Ales
Venturing away from investment banking to the world of IPAs and hops (of which there is a long list of aroma notes and flavour expressions) is a bet that paid off for Young Master Ales. Rohit Dugar, founder of the now expansive brewery, remembers unstable paychecks and second thoughts plaguing the brewery’s early years. But passion committed Rohit to the craft and Young Masters Ales has been at the forefront of the industry since, collaborating on projects with Mandarin Oriental and Shangri-La. Young Master Ales’ beer stays true to heritage and form though this hasn’t stopped them from showcasing a variety that includes CBD beer and cocktail collaborations. Most recently, the brewery has announced a project with local comfort TamJai SamGor, adding a Mala Goose sour beer to their growing collection.
53 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang; youngmasterales.com
Yardley Brothers
Yardley Brothers have echoed the trends of the craft beer boom, partnering with Open Book Extracts for a CBD-infused beer that uses organic hemp. However, the brewery has also paved a path of its own, most recently launching their barrel-ageing program with over sixty barrels previously housing everything from French chardonnay to maple syrup. Barrel-ageing is a personal project of Luke Yardley, the aforementioned brother in the brewery’s name. At the end of the month, Yardley Brothers will debut their new sour ale, a Frederiksdal French Oak Barrel-Aged Cherry Sour, at Roganic, alongside a tasting menu of the restaurant’s signature dishes.
8 Wah Sing Street, Kwai Chung; yardleybrothers.hk
Heroes Beer
The inspiration behind Heroes Beer, the first in Hong Kong to offer craft beer in a can, came from the action-packed superhero movies founders Jason and Christopher grew up with. Unlike other local breweries, which often release a few flagship collaborations throughout the year, Heroes connects with a community of beer enthusiasts. Only after developing a feel for what the creator wants out of their beer, be that taste, aroma, or personality, does Heroes set out in the beer-making process. The resulting product is a beer you can confidently say cannot be bought elsewhere. From the packaging design to the motivations behind the beer, a can of Heroes Beer tastes distinctly personal.
Wah Fai Industrial Building, 4 Sze Shang Street, Yau Tong; heroesbeerco.com
Gweilo
No craft beer circuit could be complete without the mention of Gweilo Beer. Like most company stories, Gweilo Beer was the brainchild of two British friends living in Hong Kong. Since then, it has spawned into a $5 million state-of-the-art brewery in Fo Tan, where full-scale production takes place. Most recently, their first on-site retail space has opened in Kennedy Town, alongside gastropub Grain.
38 Au Pui Wan, Fo Tan; gweilobeer.com
Editor
Rachelle MaCredit
Lead image: Moonzen Brewery
