The Place
Tucked away on a side street a few hundred meters from the hive of Shuiwei is an unassuming new craft beer bar: Maltland Brewpub. The establishment is generally embraced by quietness: Apart from the faint sound of laughter and tomfoolery from a nearby school playground and the chitchat of passersby, little else seems to happen here.
Image by Jonathan Zhong for That’s
But sometimes that is just the thrill of places like these, which patiently wait in a secret corner of the neighborhood and greet you when you least expect them.
The Food and Beers
On our visit, the outlet was offering both locally-brewed and imported beers, as well as a variety of pub bites. Right off the bat, we asked for their most popular beverage, which turned out to be the good ol’ Belgian Früli (RMB55). With a refreshing strawberry flavor and a smooth mouthfeel, the beer served as a satisfying start to our night.
Screaming burger. Image by Jonathan Zhong for That’s
If you arrive with an empty stomach, we’d recommend trying Maltland’s ‘screaming’ burger (RMB78). This bad boy comes with a sizable beef patty and two slices of bacon tucked inside a sesame seed-topped bun. You may find the beef patty a touch too salty, but that’s when the Früli comes in to save the day.
Früli. Image by Jonathan Zhong for That’s
Curious about the beer that Maltland produces? We sure were on our visit. Currently, only five of the 21 beers available at the establishment are made in-house, but we’re told by the owner, Ethan, that we can expect more in the future.
Big Island Lava. Image by Jonathan Zhong for That’s
Before leaving, we ordered one of Maltland’s beverages – the ‘Big Island Lava’ (RMB32-40). This thick stout indeed lived up to the word ‘lava,’ and had a smoky coffee-ish aroma. Despite that, we found the intensity of its flavor somewhat weak and, therefore, the beer left something to be desired.
The Vibe
Image by Jonathan Zhong for That’s
The pub’s low-profile location means that it won’t always be bustling with activity, but the wooden paneling and warm lighting do provide a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. Also, keep in mind that the bar is essentially a cramped room with limited seating, so if you’re big on personal space, you probably won’t want to drop by on a busy day.
Price: RMB90
Who’s going: friends, lovers, hermits
Good for: beers, quietude, friendly service
Nearest metro: Huanggang Village (Exit A), 10 minutes’ walk
Open daily, 6pm-2am. See listing for Maltland Brewpub.
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