Hoptimus Prime: Where to get your craft beer fix tonight

There’s nothing quite like sipping a cold beer on a hot day – and hey, with Singapore’s climate this simple pleasure can be had on just about any day of the year. But here’s the thing: Why enjoy run-of-the-mill canned stuff when you can indulge in lovingly prepared (not to mention incredibly Instagramable) craft beer? Here are 10 ways to get your craft beer fix.

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This Danish brand has gained something approaching cult status amongst alcohol aficionados, so Singaporean craft beer drinkers in the know were understandably thrilled when it opened a bar here last year. It’s set in a unique venue too, as it operates out of a pleasingly offbeat construction recycled from old shipping containers. There are 20 rotating craft beers on tap and you must check out the three unique – and cleverly-named – brews created just for this Singapore bar: Prinsep Pilsner, Bugis Brown and Waterloo Wit. A pint or three makes for a wonderful way to while the night away.

120A Prinsep Street; mikkeller.dk/location/mikkeller-bar-singapore

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A British pub in the heart of Chinatown that serves craft beer? No, we’re not making this up. You’ll get a slice of old Blighty here, both in terms of decor and food and drink. Its menu includes 17 bottled craft beers, all of which are pretty reasonably priced between $14 and $16. Options include Little Creatures Bright Ale, Brewdog Dead Pony Club and Panhead Supercharger Pale Ale. Try them on their own or with a round of traditional British pub grub, which always goes well with booze.

5 Ann Siang Road; oxwellandco.com

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You might think that this local brewery is named after our little red dot but the moniker actually comes from the time the owner tried craft beer for the first time in South Africa and chose a pack of ingredients that were marked with one red dot. Its two locations – Dempsey Road and Boat Quay – have years of history behind them, making both branches perfect to sip on local brews that will surely be a note in history in years to come. The beer here is unfiltered and unprocessed and are a result of owner Ernest Ng’s decade-long home-brewing experience. Choices include Summer Ale, RedDot Lime Wheat and Monster Green Lager Beer (it really is green!).

#01-01, 25A Dempsey Road and 33/34 Boat Quay; www.reddotbrewhouse.com.sg

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Craft beer from a kopitiam stall? Yes, please! If you like to keep it real and love hawker food, this beer stall will fit perfectly with your plans. It might be small but it’s one of the most popular craft beer venues in Singapore so get in on the action if you haven’t already. The brands offered are always rotating so you’ll probably get to try something new each time you drop in. Greasy char kway teow washed down with craft beer is something we can imagine really getting into.

#02-062, Blk 335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex; www.facebook.com/smithstreettaps

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Take your love for craft beer underground with this basement bar. There’s a sprawling 7,000 square feet of fun to be had here, complete with games like pool, darts and ping pong. Drinks-wise, there’s a range of craft beer brands that are available on a rotating basis, in both bottled and draft variations. Quick tip: Stalk its social media accounts for the brands currently doing the rounds before popping by. The place also hosts parties once a month; get the lowdown from its Facebook or Instagram pages.

B1-00 Haw Par Glass Tower, 178 Clemenceau Avenue; www.hopheadsbar.com

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Throwing a spanner into the works: You can also enjoy craft beer from the comfort of your home, too! Alcohol Delivery offers 18 craft beers ready to be delivered to your home for your next party – or just to enjoy on any day –priced from as low as $3.90 a bottle. Options include Brewerkz Golden Ale, Wednesday’s Cat, Hitachino Nest Japanese Classic Ale and Duvel Belgium. Bottomline: You have no excuse now not to organise a craft beer party.

www.alcoholdelivery.com.sg

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If you got hooked on craft beer on your last trip to Japan or if you just like anything Japanese, this is where you should go to satisfy your craving. The brands served here include the usual suspects like Hitachino Nest mixed in with rarer stuff like Minoh Beer and Minami Shinshu. It’s a great spot nestled away in the middle of Orchard Road to take a break and sip some beers to cool down and get away from the crowds.

5^th Floor, Mandarin Orchard Hotel, 333 Orchard Road; www.facebook.com/takumibar

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This bar sits in a location that was formerly occupied by the Chinese Druggists Association, and although its ‘medicinal’ offerings might be a bit different, some say that it has a great effect of being good for the soul. There are 23 taps serving craft beers and you’ll get their names on the cool old-school blackboard display. The food is worth a try too – exciting Asian fare that pair excellently with beer.

119 Tyrwhitt Road; www.facebook.com/DruggistsSG

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A microbrewery and restaurant that’s run by two brothers and their uncle, 1925 is housed in a two-storey shophouse that harkens back to old-school Singapore. The place also brews its own beers, which is pretty neat as you’re essentially enjoying a pint that you can imbibe nowhere else. There are five of such beers – The Yellow Van, Small Monster, Blk 622, The General and Manuka Stout. Guest breweries are served on tap on a rotating basis too, but why not do your part for Singapore and drink local?

369 Jalan Besar; the1925.com.sg 

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Good quality coffee, tea and beer all under one roof – what more could anyone ask for? The craft beer served here is available on tap and hail from two microbreweries, one in the UK and one in Australia. Moor Beer Co makes beer only from traditionally fermented Tuckers Malt and high-quality hops, resulting in extremely flavourful and complex beers. Meanwhile, Mornington Peninsula Brewery has been brewing since 2010, producing refreshing beer that’ll definitely hit the spot.

21 Eng Kong Terrace; necessaryprovisions.com

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