Good beer in China can be hard to come by. There’s no shortage of watery domestic options, but if you’re a true connoisseur these will only do for so long.
Luckily for hops-loving Guangzhouers, more and more establishments are beginning to diversify their beer selection. Homemade brews, imported labels and draughts have arrived and are well on their way to becoming mainstream. It’s a craft beer revolution, if you will, with expats demanding more options and better quality while locals curiously experiment to make the grade.
The Hops, which opened in November of last year, is the newest establishment in the city devoted to the culture of craft beer. Tucked away on a Taojin backstreet, the bar boasts an impressive selection, with over 90 different imported bottles and two varieties on tap.
The inside of the pub is small, but emits a hometown feel that is often hard to find in Guangzhou. With stained wood paneling lining the interior walls and soothing jazz music for background noise, The Hops is reminiscent of a prohibition-era Boston watering hole – a speakeasy without pretense.
Located directly across from Lazy Guys, the bar is the brainchild of John Xiao, Alex Zhong and Leo He, who decided the best way to share their fondness for beer was to create a monument to it.
Seekers of fine brews will rejoice to hear that The Hops doesn’t offer any lagers. If it lacks flavor, there’s no way it’s going to be served. Instead, the menu promotes Indian pale ales, stouts and a number of tasty wheat beers. Highlights include a delicious draft from the Netherlands, La Trappe Witte Trappist (RMB55), which presents a rich, fruity palate that isn’t too overpowering.
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If you are looking for something sweeter, try Samuel Smith’s Apricot Ale (RMB80), which is, in a word, outstanding. With a crisp fruity taste, it’s the perfect beverage to combat a hot summer’s night on the patio. Alternatively, if sweet beers aren’t your cup of tea, dive into the delightfully hoppy Samuel Smith IPA (RMB64). When poured in a glass, this tangerine-orange bitter brew has remarkable clarity and is capped off with an inch of creamy foam – a true piece of art.
Although it’s one of the pricier places to grab a drink in Taojin, The Hops delivers a wall-to-wall beer selection that is easily unparalleled in Guangzhou and the Pearl River Delta at large.
Price: Approx. RMB75 per person
Who’s going: Curious locals, foreign beer enthusiasts
Good for: Grabbing a beer when Harbin just doesn’t cut it anymore
// Listing.
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