|
Beer Lady (Haifu Convenience Store)
This is much more than a convenience store. In fact, the food section is probably less than 10% of the store space and from what I could tell, it was shrinking. The rest of the store is walls full of great international beer selections. From my estimation, there were more than 600 varieties of beer and perhaps as many as 750. Most of the beer selection is warm however there are also a few coolers around the store and outside the front of the store if you want to purchase cold beer. Pricing was reasonable with most beers running between $5-10 US. Beers from the US were priced around $10 US. Mikkeller beers were some of the more expensive beers with prices between $12-18 US. There were a few selections of bomber bottles, mostly from US breweries such as Stone, with prices around $30 US. Belgian and Trappist beers were around $5 US. They even had the hard to find Founders KBS, of which I bought one to bring back to the hotel along with a few other beers. There are a few tables in the back where you can drink your cold beer on-site as well as a few outdoor tables on the sidewalk. There are a few glasses available behind the cash register for drinking your beer. The big question in my mind is how much turnover of the beer they have, since it was very warm inside the store and beers like IPAs don't age well. I stuck to Belgian ales and stouts which do age well. No English is spoken by the staff which makes it a bit difficult to track down certain beers or styles of beer. Fortunately, I met a Taiwanese National while I was there who was able to help me out with translating otherwise, I might still be there searching. In return, I let her know she was interested to hear about some of the good locations for beer I found in Taipei. One thing I learned on my second visit here is that it might be a good idea to stay away from the vintage beers. I bought a couple to bring back to the hotel and they weren't good. I believe the reason for this is that they may have been sitting on the shelf for a few years without the benefit of a temperature controlled environment. There is no air conditioning in the store and it gets very hot in the summer. Not ideal storage/aging conditions. Open 24/7. No website. Location: Unit 14, 455 Fahuazhen Lu, Xuhui Nearest Metro: Jiaotong University Station, Lines 10 and 11 Updated Aug '16 |
Beer Lady
One of the Many Walls of Beer
Beer Coolers
Yum!
|
Kaiba Tap Room
This place was a nice find. If you like Belgian Ales, this may be the best place in Shanghai. There are 3 locations in Shanghai with the Wuding Lu location having the most draft beer - 20 taps. This location also had a great selection of 60-70 bottles. It doesn't have a large food menu, but enough to fill you if you are hungry. Unfortunately, I have it on good authority after my recent visit that Kaiba Tap Room has sold out to AB InBev. Supporting that was the fact that all the good taps were running dry and not being replaced. Only lesser known Chinese beers were remaining. Obviously, the owner is trying to milk the last days. I'll find my Belgian beers elsewhere, thank you. Location: 479 Wuding Road Nearest Metro: Changping Road, Line 7 Updated Nov '16 |
Kaiba Tap Room
|
Jackie's Beer Nest
This is one of my favorite places to visit and I try to make time to stop by at least once every visit to Shanghai. Small, very local taproom that originally was patronized by mostly ex-pats and now with the popularity of beer in China, is patronized mostly by local beer drinkers. Not a lot of seating room, but cozy environment with friendly patrons where it's impossible not to join a conversation. There are 40 taps around the perimeter that are pouring delicious New Zealand and Norwegian beer. But the selection rotates regularly, usually by country. There is also a refrigerator full of international bottle selections. Open daily for a mere 5 hours per day with standing room only at closing time, especially on weekends. This place is a must visit tap room. Run by Jackie and his wife who are extremely friendly and hospitable. Location: 76 Zhaozhou Lu Nearest Metro: Laoximen, Line 8 and 10 Updated Mar '17 |
Jackie's Beer Nest (Back Wall)
Simple but Great Beer
|
|
Yongkang Lu (Great Bar Street)
Yongkang Street is a must visit when you are in China. The block is lined with bars on both sides of the street. Each bar has a different theme, such as British Pub, German Beer, Mexican Beer, Irish Pub, International Craft Beer Bar, etc... I would estimate there are about 40 bars on this street. This street is a favorite of expats and visitors although some locals stop by too. It can get very crowded on the weekends. Most of the bars are small, so it can mean standing room only. Cheap prices during happy hour, which is late afternoon. Some of the bars are open around noon but most don't open until late afternoon. Lots of the bars also serve good food. The only downside to this great stretch of fun is that outdoor seating closes at 10:00 so the the people living above them can get to bed with some peace (but not much, as it still stays loud on weekend nights). Update: Yonukang Lu is no more. The mayor has shut down most of the bars due to the nose distrubing the tennants above. I stopped by in November and there were only a handful of places left. Not sure how long they will be there. Location: Yongkang Lu Nearest Metro: Shaanxi Road, Lines 1, 10 and 12 Updated Nov '16 |
Yongkang Lu (From Tap House)
|
Zapfler Brauhaus
Zapfler has moved and reopened its Shanghai brewpub as of March 2017. The new bar is in a great location on the basement level of a reinvented open-air area, Datong Mill, that has several other restaurants and cafes. Above, on the ground level, is an herb garden and a small greenbelt that has a basketball court. Being on the lower level shields it from most street noise, which is nice if you will be enjoying beer in their outdoor seating area. The main brewery is still in Changzhou, about 2 1/2 hours west of Shanghai. Kegs of beer are transported daily by car to keep the brewpub stocked. All beer is authentic German-style brewed to the German Purity Law, Reinheitgebots. A great place to get German beer while enjoying some real German-style food. There are 12 taps serving a great variety of styles, including a cider. Also available are some home-distilled craft shots. On display over the main bar area is a small brewing system which isn't operational yet, but there are plans to brew a limited amount of beer on-site. There is also a center stage used for live music or a DJ on weekends. Zapfler's is a much, much better option for German beer than going to the chain restaurant Paulaner. Location: 158 Julu Lu Nearest Metro: Huangpi Road Station, Line 1 or Huaihai Middle Road Station, line 13. Updated Mar '17
|
Exterior and Entrance
Seating and Music Stage
Small Brewing System
|
The Brew
This is supposed to be one of the better places from micro-brewed beer in Shanghai, but I found it to be average, at best, and over priced. A handful of taps with typical beer styles. The bar/brewery area is actually kind of neat with a contemporary design. Food is served in the restaurant. Located in the Kerry Hotel next to the convention center. Location: Kerry Hotel, No. 1388 Hua Mu Road, Pudong Nearest Metro: Huamu road, Line 7 Updated Mar '15
|
The Brew
|
Flamen Hot
German restaurant with a below average micro brewery. Tried a few and they all had little or no flavor. Stick to the small selection of international craft beer bottles that they have. Location: 323 Tian Yao Qiao Lu, Xuhui Qu Nearest Metro: Shanghai Stadium, Line 4 Updated Mar '16
|
Flamen Hot
|
De Refter
While there's no shortage of bars in Shanghai, this one stands out because it's a true Belgian beer bar. There are only a few taps of draft beer but they have a nice bottle selection. So if you are in Shanghai and you have a craving for some good Belgian beer, this is the place to visit. The bar managers were friendly and very helpful with selecting beer to my liking that evening. They have a nice food menu and they are open for lunch and dinner. Location: 181 Jinxian Road Nearest Metro: Nanjing West Road Station, Line 2 Updated Mar '17 |
Winter Seasonal at De Refter
|
