Special Brews @ Shanghai Beer Factory

What: An upmarket microbrewery offering handcraft beers and an ideal venue to watch sports matches

Where: 1,111 Caoxi Bei Lu, near Ling Lin Lu. Shanghai Indoor Stadium, next to No. 1 stairs. Tel: 3356 5005

Why: To sample the seasonal beer and catch a game

Gabriel Wang, co-founder of Rhumerie Bounty first conceived his concept of a craft beer venue after sampling a beverage formulated by his now-head brewer a few years ago. This young Chinese brewer master wet Wang’s taste buds and he knew that he simply had to create a venue around the local beer expert. Flash-forward to June 2014. The original concept is now a popular, fully fledge microbrewery with five innovative beers on tap, with plans to roll out small batches of special seasonal flavours such as the current, fragrant and light elderflower beer. Wang noticed the increasing demand in Shanghai for quality beer and he delivers this to his patrons at reasonable prices; RMB 25 – RMB 45 (300ml) or RMB 35 to RMB 50 (500ml).

Now, let us hit you with a history lesson here. If you are not already familiar with the 1516 German Beer Purity Law, it is a decree which states that the only ingredients to be used in the production of beer are barely, yeast, hops and water. A lot of beers that you will find on shelves nowadays are extremely refreshing, but if you look closer, you will realise they actually list ‘grains’ as the first ingredient, with barely, which in actual fact should be the main ingredient, trailing at the bottom of the list. This is a cheaper way of producing beer due to the low manufacturing costs and a shorter brewing period, however, the taste will have been sacrificed and you are really drinking flavoured water.

Shanghai Beer Factory proves that their beer can be refreshing whilst still following the Purity Law. For instance, SBF Beer No.1 stands out with its refreshing taste. This classic Pilsner (RMB 25 – RMB 35) has a heady scent of barley amongst the rich foam, and no wonder with a barely content of 11.5%. This beer was allowed to ferment naturally for four to six weeks thereby leaving residues of yeast in the body and creating a natural layer of thick foam. It is packed full of flavour.

The interior of Shanghai Beer Factory has a modern, industrial-chic vibe with large, shiny beer fermenting brewing tanks on display as you walk in. The lively bar has a large screen TV, playing sports matches from around the world; a perfect venue for a pint during the upcoming Football World Cup season in Brazil, if you can negotiate the time difference.

It is not only SBF brewed beers that are on the menu; the SBF Beer Cellar also contains one of the largest varieties of imported beers (mostly Trappist Abbey Beer) in Shanghai. From white to dark beer, 4% to 12% alcohol content or peach to strawberry flavour, SBP will serve your beer in its distinct original glass. If you can’t make up your mind, have a wander into their self-service cellar where you can see all of their many beers in a fridge that spans the entire length of the room and promises to keep your beverage between 2°C to 6 °C - ideal! Grab a trolley at the entrance of the cellar, have a browse and go back to your table with a round that covers an extensive selection of flavours and regions. Fancy a beer for the road? Nothing is too much trouble at Shanghai Beer Factory. You can take your beer to go and even get a discount RMB 10 per bottle.

There is also a wide selection of Western pub grub available, with everything from salads, steaks, pizzas, hot dogs and fried chicken. You’ll be spoilt for choice and able to stay for the whole day.