Where do beer lovers go to get their hops fix? Several places, actually.
But lucky for us living in the Pearl of the Orient, we don’t have to travel all the way to US or Europe to chug a pint of exceptional beer. In celebration of Oktoberfest, here are four places in Asia that offer distinct brews.
Kanpai in Japan
The Land of the Rising Sun may be better known for its sake, but people who know and appreciate a good pint know that Japanese beers hit the spot. From lagers to drafts and pilsners, Japan has more than its fair share of brews. Some of its popular brands are also available worldwide.
Maximize your stay: Check out JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo where guests can enjoy the wonderful views the city has to offer. Bonus is that it’s only less than a couple of kilometers away from two of the country’s popular beer gardens—the Kirin Beer Garden and Sapporo Beer Garden.
Craft choices in China
Craft beer enthusiasts will rejoice with the many brewpubs sprouting in the hutongs of Chinese cities like Beijing. Travelers can have a taste of Chinese culture while enjoying their beer, as homegrown brewers have taken to incorporating traditional Chinese ingredients such as Sichuan peppercorn and oolong tea in local craft flavors.
Maximize your stay: To sample a range of Beijing’s hottest craft beers, book a tour on thingstodo.agoda.com and visit up and coming breweries in the Chaoyang District.
Hanoi’s Beer Corner
Immerse in a very local cultural experience at Beer Corner, where travelers and residents sit on little stools along the bustling streets of the Hanoi Old Quarter drinking affordable Vietnamese draft beer Bia Hoi. The refreshing lager is served ice cold, and is brewed fresh daily.
Maximize your stay: Craft beer craze has also hit the capital of Vietnam with the likes of award-winning Pasteur Street Brewing Company taking the local beer scene by storm. Stay close to the brewpub and restaurant at the swanky The Chi Boutique Hotel, just a few minutes' walk away.
Fill up with Filipino brews
To say that the Philippines is a beer-drinking country would be an understatement. Without going far, you can find a beer for everyone in the Philippines—from crisp pilsners to dark, sweeter ones, fruity, flavored kinds, light and bubbly variants, and the extra strong sort. A cold bottle is available almost anywhere: pubs, restaurants, groceries, convenience stores, and even at your neighborhood sari-sari store.
Try something new: A weekend staycation in Poblacion, Makati will open up your world to an exciting new world of hoppy flavors, from your usual by-the-bottle brews to on-tap craft selections. Check-in at Z Hostel which is within walking distance from a number of pubs with great beer menu.
