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Hopping mad about craft beer

The Singapore Craft Beer Week returns for a third installment and this time round, organisers are hoping to bring more to the fold with a focus on lighter, golden ales. These types of beer are more accessible to drinkers new to craft beers, said Charles Guerrier, founder of the Singapore Craft Beer Week.

The Singapore Craft Beer Week returns for a third installment from Aug 20 to 27, and this time round, organisers are hoping to bring more to the fold with a focus on lighter, golden ales. These types of beer are more accessible to drinkers new to craft beers, said Charles Guerrier, founder of the Singapore Craft Beer Week.

“Many people have the perception that craft beers are big, hoppy monsters, (but) there are actually a huge number of easy drinking, sessionable craft beers available on the market,” he added.

With over 40 outlets hosting craft beer related events and promotions during the eight-day series of events, both craft beer drinkers and those hoping to dip their toes into the scene will be spoilt for choice.

Pointing out that craft beer is not a niche product, Guerrier says there are more “introductory” beers available on the market that people can experiment with to find a style of beer they prefer. He added that a lot of “skill and innovation” goes into craft beer, noting that they are “more fuller flavoured than the macro-brewed lagers”. “There are so many styles that each new beer is a journey of discovery — an experience,” he said.

And it looks like the craft beer trend is gaining ground. Guerrier has noticed more people converting from commercial lagers to the more flavourful beers. “This is definitely not a trend that is going to slow down anytime soon,” he said, adding that the craft beer market in the United States is over 20 per cent the total beer market and “is going from strength to strength”.

Over in Singapore, that figure is “probably not even scratching 2 per cent”, so there’s plenty of growth opportunities, he noted. “The attention being paid to the craft beer market by the big beer producers (such as AB Inbev, SAB Miller and Carlsberg) is evidence that craft beers are here to stay.”

We asked Guerrier to share how we can enjoy the week to the fullest.

What are some sessionable beers we should try?

Archipelago Brewery’s Singapore Blonde Ale is fruity and refreshing, and James Squire’s The Chancer Golden Ale has a delightful restrained bitterness and a tropical fruit hop aroma. They are both available in bucket deals around the island. Brewerkz’s Golden Ale, which won a Silver Medal at the Asian Beer Medal has light biscuity malt notes and a delicate floral aroma. Lost Coast’s Great White Wheat is a light, easy to drink Belgian-style wheat beer with refreshing notes of citrus and coriander. If you like something with a little more punch, try the Fourpure Session IPA (India Pale Ale). With a low alcohol content of 4.2 per cent, this beer packs in wonderful pine aromas and light bitterness without the bite of traditional India Pale Ales. It’s available at Malthouse during their British Beer Tap Takeover as well as throughout the Craft Beer Week.

What are some of the highlights of Craft Beer Week?

Join brewmaster Alex Buchner today at 2pm for a free tour of Singapore’s oldest micro-brewery, Paulaner Brauhaus, which is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this month. Head to RedDot Brewhouse at 6.30pm where you can join brewmaster Crystalla Huang and sample some of the brewery’s ales. Party away tomorrow at the official launch party Sunday Beers on the Hill at KULT Cafe on Emily Hill from 3pm, where you can chug down brew from several beer suppliers and munch on food from the barbecue. On Wednesday, the head brewers of Heretic, Anderson Valley and Holgate breweries will be hogging the taps at Smith Street Taps at Chinatown Complex from 6.30pm to 11pm. Next Saturday, homegrown brewery Archipelago is celebrating their 10th Anniversary with a street party out on Circular Road from 4pm, where you can groove to live music and lashings of its Singapore Blonde Ale. Park Bench Deli is also throwing a Japanese-themed party at its Telok Ayer Street outlet from 2pm, with sandwiches inspired by Japanese chef Teppei Syokudo and the limited release of Hitachino Nest Beer’s Koen no Benchi, a Yuzu Golden Ale. Want to get buzzed before these parties? Join a free LeVeL33 Brewery Tour (which includes a glass of their fine ale) at 3pm. To reserve your place, call 6834 3133 or email reservations [at] level33.com.sg.

What are some of good deals people can raise their glasses to?

If you’re new to Craft Beer, try Tap Craft Beer Bar’s Introduction to Craft Beer sampler platter, which gives you four glasses for S$15. Australia’s James Squire will be offering bucket deals at specific outlets, such as S$50 for a bucket of five at Timbre Plus and The Pit. The Best Brew at Four Points by Sheraton Singapore will be giving a 50 per cent discount on their specially brewed Tall Tale Pale Ale until 11pm, while Vatos Urban Tacos will be featuring mixed buckets of Holgate Brewhouse beers for S$49++ (if you pop in on Tuesday you may even get to meet the brewer). All Brewerkz outlets are offering S$6++ pints from 12pm to 7pm between Mondays and Thursdays, while over at Paulaner Brauhaus at Millennia Walk, you can get two pints of freshly brewed house lager for only S$20 (nett). (For more beer promos, check out www.singaporecraftbeerweek.com/beer-promos.html)

 

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