The Papa Shop: Exciting beers, expert advice, excellent prices
PUBLISHED April 15th, 2014 12:00 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:31 pm
Nestled under the CT Hub in Lavender, is a gem of a store run by beer convert Fabio and Singapore Code of Law celebrity Keagan Kang. Fabio, like most converts to anything, is now a passionate beer-believer and avid consumer not just of the easier drinking lagers, and lighter pilsners, but the hoppy golden ales, the weissenbiers and the stouts!
Part of the growing trend for hawker bars and craft beers, The Papa Shop is a beer kiosk and like the beloved Mama Shops, The Papa Shop sells all the essentials, but in this case, for grown-ups. The Papa Shop stocks 120 beers and ciders, beer snacks for munching and an excellent range of weird and wonderful spirits including my favourite vodka in the world, Zubrovka bisongrass vodka. Like the name, the logo combines the history and nostalgia of Singapore’s past with the modern and satirical: a South Park style meme of Fabio’s grandfather which is guaranteed to make you smile.
Despite my heroic tolerance I couldn’t make my way through all 120 beers and ciders on offer to bring you a full list of recommendations, but I did my best! From previous experience I can highly recommend Schneider Weisse’s original brew ($12.90) and its even more delicious cousin Weihenstephan ($11) – both German weissen beers – as well as the excellent English ales Hobgoblin ($9.90) and Old Empire ($10.50).
That night, however, Fabio and I got stuck into the hoppier beers, starting with Jungle Beer’s Uncle Sam ($9.50) a tangy American style amber ale brewed right here in the Little Red Dot, EvilTwin Brewing’s Low Life ($9.90), which should win points just for having a kick-ass name. It also happens to be a lovely light hoppy pilsner with enough depth to be interesting, but light enough to be a session beer. For the more developed palate, try Schneider Weisse’s Tap 5 ($13), a punchy 8.5% hop-festival with a tangy almost sour aftertaste.
I was blown away by not only the fantastic range of drinks on offer, and the great value prices but the passion and expertise of Fabio and Keagan, who gently help their customers through the wide selection of offer, making recommendations based on each customers tastes and previous forays into craft beers. If you love craft beer and are thirsty for more, or are a newbie and nervous about where to start, head down to The Papa Shop for great beers, great advice and a great night!
Written by Lady Libertine
