There are lots of craft beer bars in Singapore. From ones that reside in hawker centres to others that infuse their craft brews in various spices, craft beer places here continue to surprise and delight us with their creations. When parched and in need for a fresh pint, these are the ones worth checking out.
1925 Microbrewery & Restaurant
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 potato and chicken skins, beer batter shrimp and chargrilled beef burger with chicken pate. Kudos to you if you’ve visited them at their OG Jalan Basar location before their move. 261 Joo Chiat Rd.
3rd Culture Brewing Co.
We’re surprised it took someone this long to replicate Smith Street Tap’s fabulous craft-beer-in-hawker-stall model, but we’re so happy it’s finally happened. This hawker stall at Maxwell Food Centre (they’ve opened one at Old Airport Road Food Centre too) offers 12 beers on tap that rotate weekly. The selection’s pretty solid, and you can have it with Tian Tian chicken rice. #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. #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. (Vietnam) and Stone & Wood Brewing Co. (Australia). 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. Beyond beer, Brewerkz’s burgers are among the best in town and their weekly trivia night is always a great way to spend an evening. 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 all-new canned line at your local supermarket. #01-05/06 Riverside Point, 30 Merchant Rd.
Bottle Shop
A next-generation food court, the 24,000 sq ft gastropark Timbre+ houses a mind-bending total of 35 F&B partners—from hipster eateries to local hawker stalls. For liquid company, enjoy taps from Archipelago or take your pick from the 120 beers and ciders available at the Bottle Shop. JTC LaunchPad @ one-north, 73A Ayer Rajah Cres.
Burger Joint
Druggists
This restaurant and beer bar takes over the space formerly occupied by the Chinese Druggists Association. It’s got 23 taps from breweries like Mikkeller, To Øl, De Struise, Magic Rock, Birra Del Borgo and Thornbridge, among many others. Beer aside, dishes include garlic soy wings, char siew ciabatta sandwich, chillicrab sliders and their salted egg yolk pasta. Surprise surprise; everything pairs perfectly with beer. 119 Tyrwhitt Rd.
Five Marbles Craft Beer Restaurant
Nestled within the Rendezvous Hotel Singapore Courtyard, Five Marbles is an accessible, cozy option for a craft beer watering hole when you’re strolling around town. They host a rotating selection of 12 craft taps, including locally brewed craft labels like Brewlander and Innocence Brewing, as well as beers from Australia, UK, Japan, New Zealand and USA. For the eats, there’s a unique menu of ‘craft’, with beer-infused dishes like the Craft Beer Chicken Rice. 1/F The Courtyard, Rendezvous Hotel, 9 Bras Basah 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 lines the bar outside (in the space that was formerly TAP Craft Beer Bar), dispensing easy-drinking brews like light pilsners and the hotel-exclusive Frieda Lager—from only $8 a pint. If you’re still thirsty, try from 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
The Guild
The guys behind Young Master Brewery—a pioneer in Hong Kong’s craft beer scene—have opened 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.
Hopheads
This craft beer bar and bistro has moved across the street, but continues to serve a good range of brews and four craft taps—which rotate IPAs, porters, stouts, imperial stouts, pilsner 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.
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.
JiBiru Japanese Craft Beer Bar
Before JiBiru’s arrival, most people only knew Asahi and Kirin, but now, beer connoisseurs have award-winning names 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 ($12-17)—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 ($11-14), 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 it. #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 Upper Thomson 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. 15 Jasmine 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 specialty is house porters, lagers and pale ales in their signature range. #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 Company. 685 East Coast Rd.
Mikkeller Bar Singapore
Nickeldime Alley
Sister to the more established Nickeldime Drafthouse in Novena, this Robertson Quay bar recreates the grungy, artsy cafe scene of Melbourne with pub grub and beers to match. The shophouse outlet’s star attraction is 16 international craft beers on tap, ranging from Australia’s Stone & Wood to Vietnam’s Heart of Darkness; constantly rotated for the seasoned hophead. Pints average $14-$15. #01-01, 8 Mohamed Sultan 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 ($11) and mac and cheese ($12) are also available. #01-03 Serene Centre, 10 Jalan Serene
Paulaner Brauhaus
The only place to go for authentic German beer brewed on-site. 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
New kid on the block 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 right now 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 (33/34 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. #01-01 25A Dempsey Rd.
Smith Street Taps
TAP Robertson Quay
Good things come in pairs, and TAP recreates its success in a second larger space in Robertson Quay. The second outlet boasts an indoor and (dog-friendly) outdoor alfresco area, seating anywhere from 100 to 200. In addition to the same 20 rotating taps (and one-price-fits-all policy), look forward to an expanded weekend brunch menu including breakfast sandwiches and teas. #01-02, 86 Robertson Quay.
Tawandang Microbrewery
A Thai transplant, this microbrewery has comfortably made a home in Singapore within the Dempsey enclave. Its German brews include Dunkels, Weizens and the ever-popular lagers. Food-wise they’ve got all manner of modern Thai-meets-German cuisine like deep-friend pork knuckles served with spicy sauce and grilled seabass in spicy seafood sauce. Its resident Thai band really packs in the crowds, so call before you drop by to avoid disappointment. #01-01 26 Dempsey Rd.
