When we were invited to a beer tasting with Jing-A Brewing Co. (京A, pronounced “Jing-Eh”), I was most intrigued — an award-winning craft beer brewery brand from Beijing? I didn’t even know the capital of China produced craft beers, much less acclaimed ones that have held their own against strong contenders on the world stage.
Quick research revealed that the craft beer scene has indeed been brewing in Beijing since the 2000s. While the origins of the modern craft-beer brewing method remains up for debate (with globalisation and the multiple “borrowing” of ideas, who knows where anything really comes from anymore), it is clear from the multiple microbreweries that have sprouted up along the iconic Beijing hutongs (alleyways), that this popular alcoholic beverage is here to stay.
Enter Jing-A, the OG craft beer brewery brand that — believe it or not — started in a garage. Established in 2012, founders Kristian Li and Alex Acker innovatively reinvented the flavour profile of Western craft beer by introducing new and unexpected Asian ingredients into the mix. Armed with their desire to pay homage to Beijing’s local culture and a couple of 20-litre buckets, these long-time friends strove to produce the best possible beer in China — and their efforts have borne fruit.
Winning multiple awards across various geographical locales, including Brussels, Australia, and Asia, I was most delighted to hear that Jing-A chose Singapore as their first foray into the Southeast Asian craft beer scene. Who can say no to more artisanal beer options, right? With COVID-19 and the Omicron variant keeping us grounded for the foreseeable future (along with the strict quarantine restrictions China famously imposes), I will take whatever we can get.
Our tasting kicked off with Mandarin Wheat 阿白小麦啤酒, a refreshing Beijing-style Belgian Witbier served straight from the tap. Slightly sweet and light on the palate, I marvelled at the creativity of the founders in introducing Mandarin orange peel (陈皮) into the brewing process.
There is something to be said about human ingenuity in syncretising objects and methods from different cultures (read: Chinese and Belgian), and preserving tradition by giving it a fresh lease on life. While it is recommended to pair this zesty beer with spicy dishes and seafood (and maybe even hotpot?), this beer paired surprisingly well with the delicious burgers and fried chicken we were served that evening.
Another internationally-acclaimed Jing-A beer making its debut on our shores is the Worker’s Pale Ale 工人淡色艾尔啤酒, a well-rounded American-style Pale Ale that — as its name suggests — tips its hat off to blue-collar workers.
Designed as an invigorating pick-me-up, this easy-to-drink brew is made with pale and specialty malt, and features refreshing notes of grapefruit. While this beer was unavailable at Wildfire Burgers, the restaurant we dined at for our tasting, I will be keen to try this beer served at other select bars and restaurants, including KPO, SOL at Neil Road, Fu Lin, and Coq & Balls.
Readers who are concerned about dining out, or feel beer is best enjoyed at home in your comfy clothing, are in luck. Jing-A’s quirky range is also available on e-commerce platforms such as Lazada, Shopee, and PandaMart, so you can sip its hops from the comfort of your abode. Retailing at $18.30 per 4-bottle pack, these beers are perfect to chase those long work-from-home days and bouts of video-chat fatigue away.
Looking to add to your beer bottle collection? Readers who order this beer online will also be able to enjoy the whimsical hand-drawn illustrations on the beer labels. These artworks reveal the inspiration behind these brews: farmers, produce sellers, and the often unnoticed but constantly hustling city workers that make up the social fabric of Beijing.
Whether it is enjoying these beers over the upcoming Lunar New Year with boisterous company at home, or tasting it at various food establishments while dining out, these beers are sure to be a crowd-pleaser, whether you are a craft beer lover or not.
