Sudsy success

[Photo by Hannah Adamson/China Daily]

"Beijing is a city of 25 million people and beer is part of the culture already. People have been drinking beer for hundreds of years here, and now you're introducing that population to good beer," Li says. "It's a great opportunity."

Although owning and running their own taproom was never part of their original vision, Li and Acker realized that aside from building a thriving beer brand, they wanted to get to know their customers and share the experience with them in their own unique space.

Inside their new space, the brewmasters are known for holding creative events and collaborations, such as a recent "kitchen takeover" featuring a four-course, Japanese-inspired menu produced by the chefs from Hagaki at East Beijing hotel. They also serve brunch every Saturday and Sunday morning－as Acker says, it's never too early for beer.

The drinks menu features a few core beers, such as their award-winning Flying Fist IPA and their popular Airpocalypse Double IPA－popular because of a clever marketing ploy: The beer is discounted on bad air-quality days. Also on offer: "guest beers" from Beijing's craft breweries and unusual imports from outside of China, and bar snacks which spotlight ingredients from local food businesses.

"Beer is definitely still at the center," says Acker, noting that they brew with "Chinese characteristics" by incorporating seasonal fruits and spices that are distinctively Beijing.

One such beer: the Beijing Bikini Watermelon Wheat, an ode to the bare-bellied men who walk around hutong with their shirts rolled up to cool down in the heat of summer. The two travel to Daxing, a southern district in Beijing famous for its many watermelon varieties, to meet with farmers and choose the perfect melons to brew with.

"I think that's one of the things we do differently. The way we try to make our beer part of the community and at the same time, representing a slice of Beijing life," Li says.

The craft beer scene is a recent development in this land of commercial beers, but they're confident that an appreciation for a good brew can be stirred in the hearts of every Beijinger.

"This whole craft beer movement is kind of a global revolution. It's just a matter of time for people here," Acker says. "It's universal that people like good things. We've been here long enough to see how quickly things can change.

"But we're also trying to make people happy, put smiles on people's faces and be part of the community here. It's more than just beer."

If you go

Jing-A Taproom

5 pm till late Tuesday-Friday, 11 am till late Saturday and Sunday; closed Monday. 1949 The Hidden City, Courtyard 4, Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-6501-8883.