It might look like a run-of-the-mill sports bar chain from the outside, but surprisingly, World of Beer holds one of the best craft beer selections we’ve found anywhere in Shanghai. The selection offered isn’t just varied; many of the beers available are excellent in their category.
Clearly chosen with an expert eye, we were astounded to find names like the Samuel Smith Brewery on the list, a fantastic brewery that’s rare to find even in its native home of Yorkshire.
West Coast pale ales, Belgian Saisons to Irish Stouts and local Chinese craft beers too, there really is something for everyone. Prices range from RMB40 upwards and beer is served mainly by bottle, though there 20 beers on tap too. Make sure you check the price before ordering, as some beers can be as much as RMB120 each for particularly rare breeds.
The massive beer list, smartly presented on an iPad, also allows you sort the beers by style, color, country, percentage of alcohol and price, which makes choosing a beer a less intimidating experience. Yet settling on just one beer still remains a difficult experience– thankfully one is able to order a flight of tasters.
The flights (from RMB58/four), rather disappointingly, don’t allow you to create your own but are rather chosen for you. While that isn’t a bad thing, you feel that the beers chosen are the cheapest or the least popular.
Luckily, the good value happy hour makes up for this. Starting at 3pm and finishing at 8pm before continuing at 11pm, discounts are to be had on both food and drink. The happy hour beers (RMB29-34) are definitely limited and pretty poor when compared to the rest of the menu, but the food offered is good. We’d recommend getting a couple of soft shell tacos with your drink; at only RMB40 during happy hour they’re a steal considering how tasty they are. A perfect accompaniment to whichever beer you choose.
In terms of vibes, World of Beer doesn’t really compete with some of the hipper craft beer bars in town; it definitely feels like a chain establishment, intensified by numerous wall-mounted TV’s screening anything from soccer to monster truck rallies. However, if what you’ve come for is flavor and variety, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better choice than this. The atmosphere may be a little dry, but you certainly won’t be.
Price: RMB50-150 per person
Who’s going: locals and expats
Good for: beer, sports screening, hangouts, casual dining
See a listing for World of Beer.
Read more Shanghai Bar Reviews.
0 User Comments