Follow the craft beer brick road

PUBLISHED May 15th, 2012 12:11 pm | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:34 pm

Craft beer is having a bit of a moment in Singapore, with new and established joints adding craft beer to their offerings left, right and centre. This once niche product is now moving to a global trend, and of course being the trend-crazy island that we are, it’s no surprise that it’s also happening here.

Though devout craft beer disciples will scoff at this being about just a trend – they know it’s really to do with the fact that it’s delicious, unique and that there’s a seemingly never ending number of varieties out there. For those who are into supporting small companies who really have a passion for what they do rather than just churning it out, craft beer gets a major gold star there too. Well it’s about time that people woke up to realised there’s life beyond Heineken and Tiger here!

So it’s no wonder that the good folks behind the Be Disloyal Card – the initiative that helped you discover and support REAL coffee in Singapore – is now back with a new card, especially to help you do the same for craft beer.

The Be Disloyal initiative highlights eight bars which are authentic and passionate about serving up the finest craft beers. The concept is simple; go to any of the participating bars, enjoy a craft beer, receive the disloyalty card and try out the other locations. With every beer enjoyed at the participating bars the card holder receives a stamp. Once the card is full, go back and claim your free beer from your starting bar. Quite a nice incentive to get off your sofa, across the island and checking out some new spots all in the name of good craft beer!

The beauty of this card is that if you’re a major beer guzzler, you can hop around the island on one fine weekend doing the whole lot in one day (legless) or over two (midly legless), break it down into parts, or perhaps just leisurely work the beer spots into your free time as and when.

So let’s start zipping around virtual-wise and start uncovering just where exactly these good old craft beers can be found….

CHINATOWN & TANJONG PAGAR

The Good Beer Company

A hawker stall located in Chinatown Complex, Smith Street, the fridge here is packed full with around 50 speciality beers and ciders ranging in price from $8-$15. What’s on the menu? Expect a variety of beers from all across the world with complex flavours including notes of Indian spices (Jungle Beer American IPA-Singapore); honeydew melon (Honeydew Beer – Taiwan); caramel, fruit and raisins (Trappistes Rochefort 6 – Belgium) and chocolate toffee (Wychwood Hobgoblin – UK). Cider fans a top tip for you is the Brothers Toffee Apple – think apple cream soda mixed with smouldering toffee.

The Good Beer Company is at Blk 335 Smith Street, #02-58 Chinatown Complex Food Centre, 050335. For more information see here.

Wok & Barrel CLOSED

If you love the makan served up at Wok & Barrel like we do, the good folks behind this venture have introduced 15+ beers and ciders from across the globe priced at $9.90 – $15.90) which pair perfectly with Nasi Lemak, Rednang Pizza and just about everything else! Whether you’re after a light larger with nuances of cherries (MOA Premium Breakfast Larger  – New Zealand); fig, raisin and plum (Rochefort 6, Belgium) or berries (Rekorderlig Wild Berries Cider, Sweden).

The Wok & Barrel is at 13 Duxton Hill, 089597. For more information see here.

TIONG BAHRU & RIVER VALLEY

Heart of House

A recent addition to the casual-dining scene, Heart of House offers a range of 20+ speciality beers and ciders ranging from $10 – $18. As well as serving many of the labels on offer at The Good Beer Company and Wok & Barrel, it’s a good place  to try out some fruit beers like  the Lindemans Percheresse from Belgium – an almost wine-like beer made with peach pulp to give it – yes you guessed it peach sweet aroma. Another firm favourite building up quite a following on our shores is NT Lychee Beer from Taiwan.

Heart of House is at 4 Kim Tian Road, 169245. For more information see here.

Old Empire Gastrobar

These guys are quite a monster when it comes to speciality beers – in total they have 80 beers on their menu and will soon be adding another 15 craft beers to their humongous menu. Prices range from $9 all the way up to $38 for limited edition brews. How to pick out highlights in such a fantastic array of beers is a pretty tough call. With lots of cross over  seen on the menus of the aforementioned establishments, these guys bring a whole lot extra to the table in terms of variety. Let’s just say that if you developed a craft/speciality beer habit, then this would be a good place to start.

Old Empire Gastrobar is at 491 River Valley Road, #01-16 Valley Point, 248371. For more information see here.

ORCHARD

JiBiru Japanese Craft Beer Bar

Convenientally located at 313 Somerset, this is the perfect lazy person’s option. With 30+ beers, though these guys specialise in Japanese craft beer, there are also international beers featured on the list. But we’re all about the Japanese and we are in particular loving the idea of the Kinshachi Nagoya Red Miso Lager – geniously brewed with miso paste and the Hitachino Nest Red Rice with its sake-like flavours. Prices range from $12-$14.

JiBiru is at 01-26, 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Road. For more information see here.

CBD

Oosters

Though a rather obvious choice for our liking, however all the same Oosters has its place on the Disloyalty card trail. There are no major surprises when it comes to their offering with much of the same as the above – but a solid place to pace yourself through a variety of  artisanal, trappist, abbey and international beers with most beers ranging from $12 – $16.

Oosters is at 5 Church Street, #01-04 Capital Square Three, 049482. For more information see here.

EAST-SIDE

Big Bad Wolf

If you happen to be a resident of Katong, you will almost certainly know about this place. If not, welcome to another addition to the craft beer servers. Though the range of beers is rather limited compared to all those above, it’s a good excuse for non-East-siders to get over to that side of the island for a print of trappist or fruit beer. Prices range from $10 – $18.

Big Bad Wolf is at 226 Tanjong Katong Rd, 437015. For more information see here.

Next Door Cafe

Now these guys really are the mac-daddy with over 100 beers on their menus. As well as a lot of familiar faces there are also some really unique beers on the menu – for example whisky lovers will want to try the  award-winning whisky ale – Tullibardine Distillery 1488 Whisky Beer – made with whisky malt and oak-aged in Tullibardine’s whisky casks or those who want to get their feet wet with an organic brew can try a Wychwood Scarecrow Pale Ale.  Beers range from $10 up to $85 for very special ones.

The Beer Trail runs until the end of May. Happy beer hunting! All images courtesy of Be Disloyal.

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Written by Ms Demeanour