5 Hong Kong craft beer makers to watch, plus beer events rocking the city in October 2023
- Microbreweries such as Breer and The Brew Commons have been making a name for themselves in recent years, adding to Hong Kong’s already rich craft beer scene
- October will see a host of beer events and festivals across the city, including Oktoberfest celebrations in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui
The arrival of October heralds Halloween – and, for the older crowd, beer-related festivities.
The humble brew has come a long way in Hong Kong, going from events in which only a single commercial brand would be listed as a sponsor to multiple craft beer bars spread throughout the city, and festivals attracting tens of thousands of revellers.
Over the last decade or so, Hong Kong’s interest in craft beer has produced some home-brew winners such as Young Master Ales, Mak’s Beer and Yardley Brothers.
That momentum has not stopped – here are some other more recent names who are adding to Hong Kong’s rich microbrewery scene.
1. Breer
Breer is a start-up founded in 2020 by four students from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. It champions sustainability while tackling bread waste in Hong Kong.
Breer uses surplus bread from around the city in its premium-quality local craft beer, offering Hong Kong an eco-conscious drink. Its exceptional concept won them the innovation award at the Food Made Good Hong Kong Awards in 2022.
Breer’s impact is profound – it has rescued over 10,000kg (22,000 pounds) of bread waste through bakery and restaurant collaborations. It represents a future where ingenuity, indulgence and sustainability can work cohesively together.
2. Heroes Beer
Heroes Beer, established by friends Chris Wong, Jason Lowe and Angus Ip, has an origin story rooted in camaraderie. The name pays tribute to ordinary people doing extraordinary things, underlining their ethos of “unleashing the hero within”.
The siesta lager is called Captain Psykick, and the Bench Boss imperial stout has a backstory – a retired hero who is also an art teacher. This Town Needs Beer jasmine tea summer ale is dedicated to indie music venue TTN (This Town Needs).
3. The Brew Commons
The Brew Commons was created by four enthusiasts who met during a beer review exam and bonded over their shared love of craft beer.
This microbrewery celebrates community and invites beer lovers to be part of the brewing process by welcoming enthusiasts to join its public tastings and contribute to creating new brews.
From the coffee and plain chocolate notes of the Kind Beer to the aromatic Going Crazy Around the Stove, Brew Commons caters to diverse tastes while fostering connections and friendships within the craft beer community.
4. Oh Beer HK
Oh Beer HK, at first a CBD beer company founded in January 2020, has had quite a journey. Back then, founder Henry Leung collaborated with brewers such as Jason Li to create a CBD-infused IPA beer.
This has led to buzz and demand, and its Salted Peaches Sour Ale has received acclaim. This unique beer is the result of a collaboration with Yiu Fung, a dried and preserved fruit specialist, and features a delightful fusion of salted peaches with the beer’s base.
5. Foam Beer Brewery
What started as a local beer joint over eight years ago has evolved into a force to be reckoned with.
Foam Bar and Restaurant was a quaint neighbourhood joint in Kowloon that brewed three varieties of beer: pale ale, amber ale and American wheat ale. In 2019, Foam leaned into its brewery side and launched a string of Hong Kong-flavoured beers.
Bottoms up
By Charmaine Mok
Hong Kong’s love of local craft brews is being fed with even more coming events. Mark your calendars.
Another Oktoberfest celebration will take place at harbour-side restaurant Ink in Tsim Sha Tsui, in Kowloon, on October 13. It will feature live music, German-themed sharing plates – with pretzels, currywurst fries, schnitzel and more – and special craft beers by H.K. Lovecraft.
On October 13 and 14, German chefs Peter Find and Stanley Wong will collaborate for two special Oktoberfest dinners at their respective restaurants, Heimat and CulinArt 1862. The six-course dinners will feature the likes of spaetzle or egg noodles with raclette and bacon jam; Matjes herring fillets; and roasted suckling pig served with sauerkraut, washed down with a selection of German beers.
Later in October, Tong Chong Street Markets in Quarry Bay will have a speciality beer festival between October 12 and 14, where ticket holders can enjoy four hours of free-flow beer from a selection of more than 70 pours, and a range of games including pickleball and beer pong.
The festival has also partnered with Breer to launch a limited-edition Pandan Milkshake IPA that uses the fragrant plant grown on Taikoo Place’s rooftop farm.
On October 29, Le Meridien Hong Kong in Cyberport will host a poolside Oktoberfest celebration with German cuisine, live band, beer games and icy cold Erdinger beer.
