Need a Drink? Celebrate International Beer Day at These Hong Kong Bars

Happening every first Friday of August, International Beer Day is a worldwide celebration that honours one of the world’s most favourite alcoholic beverages, including the people (breweries) who make and serve them. It’s also when people are encouraged to try unusual styles of beer and sample locally and internationally brewed beers to get out of their comfort zone and learn from another culture. What’s more, it’s a good excuse to end your week!

Raise a toast to your favourite brewers and celebrate International Beer Day at these Hong Kong bars.

Craftissimo

Boasting a constantly rotating selection of local and international craft beers, ciders, and canned cocktails, Craftissimo is Hong Kong’s first and only dedicated beer shop. They believe that life should never be short of choices, curating more than 300 types of beers to make sure each experience with them is always fresh and memorable.

If you love Carbon Brews and their creative beer flavours, you’ll be glad to know that they have their selections in stock! For those who want to go alcohol-free, you can get a Mikkeller Drink’in The Sun (HK$42), a Karma Black Currant (HK$30), or a Gweilo x Vandestreek Fun House (HK$33) from them.

Craftissimo is open from Sunday to Thursday (1 PM to 10 PM) and on Friday and Saturday (1 PM to 11 PM). For more details, you can keep in touch via phone +852 6012 6845 or e-mail [email protected].

Location: Craftissimo, Shop D, G/F, 22-24 Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

The Globe

The Globe is a gathering space for gourmands of independent craft beers. Its location at Graham Street has been operating for 13 years, serving British cuisine and beverages to loyal customers. Enjoy this gastropub’s happy hour from 9 AM to 8 PM with a selection of full-time taps, such as Weißbier (wheat beer), San Miguel Pale Pilsen (pilsner), and O'Hara's Irish Stout (stout). If you want a good grub along with your beer, they also have an extensive food menu, from Gobi Cheese Toastie to Duck Rillettes.

The Globe is open daily from 10 AM. For reservations, you can book a table at Bistrochat.

Location: The Globe, 45-53 Graham Street, Garley Building, Central, Hong Kong

Tipsy Tap

Tipsy Tap is a craft beer bar that offers around 20 taps of the best tasting craft beers from across the world. If you want a cosy atmosphere in Kowloon, this is the place to be. Among the beers you can get on tap are Sucka Fish TIPA from Revision Brewing and Smooth Seas Double Milkshake IPA, which is a collaboration between brewing companies Vitamin Sea and Trillium that tastes like sweet orange dipped in white chocolate (Congo vanilla bean).

The Tipsy Tap is open daily from 2 PM to 12 MN. For inquiries, call +852 6882 9840 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Location: Tipsy Tap, G/F, 5 Austin Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

TAP: The Ale Project

The Ale Project is a mainstay of the local craft beer scene in Hong Kong, with their Mong Kok branch being the first craft beer-focused taproom in Kowloon. It was founded by a group of self-proclaimed beer geeks, from certified beer judges and professional brewers to advanced homebrewers and beer dispensing specialists, to bring an unconventional approach to our favourite alcoholic drink.

We recommend trying their Classic Pale Ale (American), Tropic Like It's Hot (fruit beer), Jade Scorpion (pilsner), or Picnic In the Park Brut IPA (Indian pale ale) to get a taste of local beers made by Young Master Brewery. If you want something imported, you can get a Deschutes Fresh Squeezed (IPA American) or an UGLY HALF Guava Gose from them instead.

The Ale Project’s The Mills branch is open daily from 12 NN to 10 PM, while the Mong Kok branch is open on weekdays from 3 PM to 12 MN and weekends from 12 NN to 12 MN.

Location: TAP Mongkok, G/F, 19 Hak Po Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong

For other taprooms under Young Master, you can visit craft beer bar and contemporary pizzeria Alvy’s at Kennedy Town or the modern Pub 1842 at Central.