The Place
Chegongmiao has long been a haven for delicious local restaurants and shopping, but was never a prime destination for partaking in Shenzhen’s booming craft beer scene – until now. With the opening of its new Chegongmiao location in August, Half Ton Brewery is offering a sizeable selection of both locally brewed and imported beers, as well as a diverse menu focusing on burgers and other pub eats.
Image via Half Ton Brewery
The story of Half Ton started back in 2013, when the owners opened Beer Man, one of Shenzhen’s early craft bottle shops. They later expanded into food and draft beer at The Pub in Shekou, where they started adding their own home brews to the taps. Eventually, their experiments snowballed into a full-fledged brewing operation. The goal, according to the founder, is to introduce local flavors (think lychee and Sichuan peppercorn) to exceptionally brewed craft beer that appeals to both Chinese and international audiences.
The Food/Beer
Is there a more quintessential pub food than a nice, juicy burger? We don’t think so, and thus we choose the brewery’s namesake Half Ton Burger (RMB78) as our entree. With the owner’s recommendation, we pair it with the house-brewed gold porter.
Image by Winnie Jin for That's
The burger features a hefty Australian beef patty topped with cheddar cheese, bacon and Half Ton’s special sauce. We appreciate the quality of the beef, which is cooked just right with a tiny bit of pink in the center. While the bacon is a little tough, the cheese and accompanying thick-cut fries round out the burger nicely.
Image by Winnie Jin for That's
The gold porter is a unique beer, named for its light amber color. The brewers adapt it to a local palate by using less malt in the brewing process and adding flavor with locally brewed coffee beans, resulting in a lighter and more easily drinkable beer. Don’t be fooled, though – it still boasts plenty of flavor and a respectable 7.5-percent ABV.
The Vibe
Image via Half Ton Brewery
Compared to the smaller brewpubs and bottle shops in Shenzhen, Half Ton certainly isn’t skimping on real estate. The space is large but still manages to feel cozy with its modern industrial decor, warm lighting and hoe-down country music soundtrack. The servers are attentive and always ready with a recommendation. Definitely worth a visit for those looking for a classic brewpub with some local flair
Price: RMB70-100
Who’s going: Chegongmiao hipsters and professionals
Good for: unique local brews, solid burgers
Nearest metro: Chegongmiao (Exit C), 10 minutes
Open daily, 10am-2am; see listing for Half Ton Brewery.
[Cover image via Half Ton Brewery]
0 User Comments