Craft beer bars are aplenty in Singapore. From ones that reside in hawker centres to those that infuse their craft brews in various spices, craft beer places here continue to surprise and delight us with their unique creations. When parched and in need for a fresh pint, these are the ones worth checking out.
The 1925 Brewing Co. Joo Chiat
This local microbrewery has a slew of in-house beers, such as their Manuka stout infused with honey and The Yellow Van, a pale ale with a subtle sweet taste. The food selection is contemporary with offerings like smoked duck breast, Teochew fish porridge and garlic fried rice with deep fried beef fats. Kudos to you if you’ve visited them at their OG Jalan Basar location before their move to Joo Chiat. 261 Joo Chiat Rd.
3rd Culture Brewing Co.
This craft beer hawker stall has an outlet at Maxwell Food Centre and one at Old Airport Road Food Centre, offering 12 beers on tap that rotate weekly. The selection’s pretty solid, and you can have it with Tian Tian chicken rice too, if you happen to be at the Maxwell branch. Plus, the staff are just great people to shoot the breeze with. #01-33 Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur St.
Alchemist Beer Lab
Touted as Asia’s first and only infusion beer lab by the team behind microbrewery-pub Little Island Brewing Co., Alchemist Beer Lab boasts 16 advanced beer infusion towers that help brewers introduce new ingredients to their infusions easily. Of the 16, eight are familiar draft beers such as the Sister Golden Ale, Singapore Pale Ale and That Old Black Magic, that regulars know and love. #B1-16 South Beach Avenue, 26 Beach Rd.
Almost Famous
This minimalist craft beer bar isn’t just all concept; they’ve got a strong line-up of beers and bites too. The 16 taps at the counter feature up-and-coming local and international breweries on rotation, including Brewlander, Pasteur Street Brewing Co. and Stone & Wood Brewing Co. Nothing too heavy here; the beers tapped are largely light with fruitier variations. Have a pint with one of the thoughtfully created bar snacks—the addictive garlic wings will have you ordering a second in no time. #01-06 Chijmes, 30 Victoria St.
American Taproom
With the most number of taps running (they’ve got a whopping 30!) on any given day here, American Taproom is bound to have a beer style suitable whatever you fancy. That said, the place is well-known to beer geeks and many come for their on-point selection of brews you might not find anywhere else; and despite the name, they don’t just carry US labels. The grub here though, is satisfyingly American. Be sure to try their buffalo wings, chilli cheese fries/wedges and beer nuts, all doused with thier own kitchen’s special spice and sauces. #01-23, 261 Waterloo St.
Archipelago Brewery
Undoubtedly the biggest fish in the pond, Archipelago Brewery has been brewing local craft beers since 2006 and remains a force to be reckoned with today (though how ‘craft’ they are is up for debate). Since 2016, they’ve been releasing quirky, bottled batches of their five permanent brews, including the Belgian Wit and Bohemian Lager; the latter which has the base of a Czech brew but with with passionfruit and guava notes. The actual brewery is a little out of the way, but you can find them stocked at watering holes around town like The Tuck Shop, Timbre, Pipe District, among many others. 459 Jln Ahmad Ibrahim.
Brewerkz (Riverside Point)
A Clarke Quay mainstay since 1997, Brewerkz is known for both quality and affordability and, like any good brewery, isn’t afraid to push the envelope. With around 13 different brews available, expect classics like golden ales and IPAs or opt for something more offbeat like the Black Rabbit, a hoppy wheat beer that has notes of cloves and bananas. They’re no longer brewing out of the restaurant itself, but if you want fresh craft beers to bring home, pick up a can from their canned line at your local supermarket. #01-05/06 Riverside Point, 30 Merchant Rd.
Burger Bar New York
Druggists
Part of the allure of this restaurant and beer bar is that it takes over the space formerly occupied by the Chinese Druggists Association. It has 23 taps flowing with brews from the likes of Mikkeller, To Øl, De Struise, Magic Rock, Birra Del Borgo and Thornbridge, among many others. Beer aside, dishes like garlic soy wings, char siew ciabatta sandwich, chilli crab sliders and salted egg yolk pasta are to die for. And surprise surprise; everything pairs perfectly with beer. 119 Tyrwhitt Rd.
Freehouse
Try out 18 taps of rotating exotic microbrews from around the world, and a list of bottled beers and ciders with Asian-inspired pub grub to pair with the beers. On tap, there are labels from both major and more experimental brands alike, and if a craft beer is making its first entry into Singapore, you’ll often find Freehouse the place they’ll first launch. Food-wise, the menu has reliable, dude-food items like burgers with fries, bacon tempura and cereal frog legs. 21A Boon Tat St.
Frieda
You won’t find a staggering selection of drafts at The Capitol Kempinski’s Frieda, but what the casual German restaurant does provide is a unique list of authentic German craft beers. A short row of taps line the bar outside, dispensing easy-drinking brews like light pilsners and the hotel-exclusive Frieda Lager—from only $8 a pint. If you’re still thirsty, try the selection of bottled German beers as well. #01-87, The Capitol Kempinski, 15 Stamford Rd.
The Good Beer Company
The Great Beer Experiment
Having left their previous space at PasarBella in Turf City, the bottle shop, bar and classroom is now located more conveniently in Wheelock Place. The store doesn’t just boast an impressive array of over 150 labels—including less common bottles like our favorite Steenbrugge Double Brown; it also features a library of beer books, and organizes regular workshops for folks serious about their suds. They also have a small selection of frequently changing taps. #02-01A Wheelock Place
Good Luck Beerhouse
The “liang cha” (meaning herbal tea in Mandarin) sign above its eight rotating taps tells you what you need to know about this place; not too seriously, and that beers are good for you. This Haji Lane haunt is cosy and dingy, perfect for intimate gatherings with your best pals. Expect the taps to be filled with both local and international labels, that are best paired with their small dim sum selection should you feel the need for nibbles. 9 Haji Ln.
The Guild
The guys behind Young Master Brewery—a pioneer in Hong Kong’s craft beer scene—are the ones behind Singapore’s The Guild, a resto bar that marks the brewery’s long-awaited official foothold in Singapore. On the drinks list are a solid selection of their own brews that’s cold chain delivered here from Hong Kong, like the sessionable and refreshing Another One ($8 for 200ml), the salty Cha Chaan Teng Gose ($8 for 200ml) and the malt-forward Rye on Wood ($9 for 200ml). The food’s really solid too, so come for bites, dinner, or both. #01-01, 55 Keong Saik Rd.
Heart of Darkness Singapore
Fans of the Saigon-based craft beer brewery can now easily enjoy their flavoursome brews, thanks to them opening a gastropub in Singapore—their first outside Vietnam—that carries almost their full core range of beers on tap. From their gateway craft beer, the refreshing Sacred Fire Golden Ale, to the vibrant and hoppy Kurtz’s Insane IPA, there’s bound to be a brew you like from their 30 taps. Get beers from local labels like That Singapore Beer Project, Daryl’s Urban Ales and Brewlander here too. 55 Tras St.
Hopheads
This craft beer bar and bistro has moved across the street from its old haunt, and continues to serve a good range of brews and four craft taps—which rotate IPAs, porters, stouts, imperial stouts, pilsners and ambers. Grab a bar snack and have fun playing darts, pool, table tennis, foosball and beer pong; but heads up that you’ll be fighting students from nearby SMU for space. 178 Clemenceau Ave.
Hopstation
This breezy street-facing craft beer bar and diner is great for those looking to grab a cold one after work. With 13 craft beers on tap ($15-17/pint), plus a fully stocked fridge (the neatest we’ve ever seen) of international craft brews, there’s bound to be something to cater to your taste buds. Beer styles run the whole gamut, from pilsners to IPAs, stouts to lagers. If you’re peckish, their grub don’t disappoint either. #01-108/109 China Square Central, 18 Cross St.
Hospoda Microbrewery
Meaning “pub” in Czech, Hospoda brings the popular and light Eastern European-style beer to our shores. Their house specialties include pilsners and the Bohemia Dark beers; but definitely try the Pilsner Urquell—touted as “the original Pilsner”. Expect Czech-style food as well with items like pork sausages, grilled duck and baby pork ribs. #01-19 Albert Court Village Hotel, 180 Albert St.
In Bad Company
A cross between a craft beer bar and a dive bar, this watering hole is the result of a bunch of friends just coming together and deciding to open a place they’d love; and it works. They carry a good range of local and international craft brews in cans and bottles, plus a few on tap to spice things up. The offbeat location only makes it more alluring. #01-06/07 The Herencia, 46 Kim Yam Rd.
Jibiru Japanese Craft Beer Bar
Before JiBiru’s arrival, most people only knew of Asahi and Kirin, but now, beer connoisseurs have award-winning Japanese labels like Shiga Kogen, Kinshachi, Yona Yona and Hitachino Nest to knock back. This appealing spot in 313@Somerset also brings in seasonal specials from Japan. #01-26 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Rd.
Little Creatures
The Australian brewing company’s very own shop in Singapore is sited within a heritage building on a cozy corner of Mohamed Ali Lane, just off of Club Street. On tap, you’ll have a choice of six beers—their flagship Pale Ale, Original Pils, Bright Ale, IPA, Rogers’ and White Rabbit White Ale. Their offerings have a distinctively bitter finish thanks to the brewers’ love for throwing in bagloads of whole hop flowers at different points of their brewing process. There are also two rotating taps with special house brews, like Singapore’s own Club Street Sub IPA, the refreshing wheat Lunar Ale and Mt. Hood IPA. 36 Club St.
Little Island Brewing Co
Don’t be intimidated by the large tanks of beer equipment in this microbrewery’s industrial-chic space; the concrete counters and communal tables are more than welcoming. Expect crafted wheat beers, Scottish ales and pale and golden ales, served with smoked brisket and other meaty delights. It’s also a rare place to get a pint of IPA for a mere $10. The ordering and payment system is a bit scattered and confusing, but the breezes and good local brews are worth the trek East. #01-01/02 Blk. 6 Changi Village Rd.
Little Part 1 Cafe
A little-known fact about Little Part 1—this cosy cafe tucked away in the Spottiswoode enclave has its toes in the craft watering hole scene too. While they might be more well-known for their American comfort food and German fare, they’ve got a modest selection of Belgian and German beers on tap worth checking out. The cafe has also been a supporter of local craft beers for a while now, tapping the likes of Brewlander, Rye & Pint and The 1925 Brewing Co. Head down on Thursdays for $10 nett on all local craft beers. 54 Blair Rd.
Level33
The world’s highest urban microbrewery, with stunning views of Marina Bay, continues to draw the corporate crowd with beers that stay true to European brewing traditions, top-class food and sophisticated indoor and outdoor settings. Their signature wheat beer, IPA, porter, lager and stout are always dependable, but try their ever-changing seasonal brew for something different. You can even buy bottles home if you wish. #33-01 Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, 8 Marina Blvd.
Malthouse
Located along the same stretch of Siglap as Georges and Next Door Cafe, craft beer bar Malthouse has fridges well-stocked with bottled beers and an arsenal of 12 taps pouring brews from the likes of Coronado, Fourpure, Hitachino, Holgate, St Austell and Singaporean outfit Crossroads Brewing Co. Come on Tuesdays for solid $10 pints. 685 East Coast Rd.
Mikkeller Bar Singapore
Nickeldime Drafthouse
Nickeldime Drafthouse in Novena is one of the more established craft beer spots on the fringes of town. With up to 19 taps flowing at any time, expect a wide range of beers from boutique labels and well-known international brands alike. Try their stout braised beef ragu and homemade sourdough pizzas if you’re looking for noms to go with your drinks. #01-01 Novena Regency, 275 Thomson Rd.
Orh Gao Taproom
With a name like that (it comes from the Hokkien coffeeshop slang for stouts), you know they’re proud of all things local. It shares the same unit space as coffeeshop chain Killiney Kopitiam, so you can literally pair your mee siam with a pint, if you want. On its 10 rotating taps are a good range of local and international brews with an accessible slant, though there is always a good range of styles on tap. A tight but decent food menu with items like har cheong gai and mac and cheese are also available. #01-03 Serene Centre, 10 Jalan Serene
Paulaner Brauhaus
For authentic German beer brewed on-site, look no further than Paulaner. From Munich lagers to the wheaty Hefe Weissbier, everything is quintessentially Bavarian. To round off the German experience, their restaurant serves up classics like sausages, rosti and grilled Bavarian meatloaf, in a modern take on a German beer garden. #01-01 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd.
Pink Blossoms Brewing
Locallly founded Pink Blossoms Brewing has its very own microbrewery in Ubi—and an adjoining tasting room located on-site. Inside the brightly lit space, the label taps five beers fresh from the production floor behind (which you can peek into via a live-viewing window). They’re always experimenting with new recipes and brews, but the top three to try are the impossibly smooth milk stout, fruity New England pale ale, and refreshing Saison. It really doesn’t get any fresher than this. #01-12, 50 Ubi Ave 3.
RedDot BrewHouse
Serving good, affordable beer at its two outlets—Dempsey and Boat Quay—RedDot’s brews are some of the most intriguing in town. Don’t miss the kooky Monster Green Lager (yes, it is actually green) that gets its color from spirulina. Novelty aside, there are more traditional brews like the summer ale, English ale and Czech pilsner. The food menu leans on comforting Italian dishes and meat-heavy mains that go perfectly with a fresh pint. #01-01 25A Dempsey Rd.
Smith Street Taps
SG Taps
Have Japanese-Singaporean fusion cuisine (like yong tau foo oden and laksa ramen) while enjoying pints of mostly local craft beers from their 10 rotating taps. The clean and cosy space at the top of Duxton Hill doesn’t even charge GST and for service, making prices here truly affordable, especially for the area. #01-01, 13 Duxton Hill
TAP Craft Beer Bar
Three outlets in town—at One Raffles Link, Raffles City and Robertson Quay—each offer 20 rotating taps that are always priced at $10 a pint. Its the easy dependable choice for after work drinks without breaking the bank. Plus, the grub is decent whether you’re looking for a full meal or light bites. #01-02, 86 Robertson Quay.
Temple Cellars
It may be better known as a bottle shop (the best one in Singapore, we might add), but since Temple Cellars installed beer taps to its bar, folks have been coming to have a pint as well. It makes sense, given that the craft beer community don’t just come to buy bottles and cans home, but to catch up with their beer buds at the same time. Feel free to peruse the fridges as you down pours from their eight rotating taps. #01-12 UE Square, 81 Clemenceau Ave.
