Happy 8th Anniversary to Great Leap Brewing!

8 years. That’s not a short period of time. The Empire of China under the tutelage of Yuan Shikai only lasted a few months. Stephon Marbury played for the Beijing Ducks for just six seasons. Hell, WeChat has only been around for seven years. That’s what makes the 8th Anniversary of Great Leap Brewing, to be celebrated Saturday, October 13th, all the more special.

GLB #6 (2010)

Since our humble beginnings in a hutong courtyard in 2010, over the last 8 years Great Leap Brewing expanded to three locations across Beijing with twenty taps each, was unfortunately forced to close one, and are a couple months away from opening a new bar with thirty taps. We’ve started a Mixed Fermentation Program at the foot of the Great Wall and are currently building our production brewery in Tianjin. We have released over 100 distinct beers over the course of these 8 years and, apart from beer, we have also produced some delicious burgers and pizzas as well. While this is certainly a feat of which to be proud, we would not be here if it weren’t for the continued support of each and every one of you that has walked through our doors during the last 8 years. For that, we say thank you. 

GLB #45

In honor of this momentous occasion, the week after the Golden Week holidays we have a lot of good things in store for you. First up is the release of our annual anniversary beer, the Three Door Tripel. Coming in at 9.0% ABV, the Three Door Tripel is Great Leap Brewing’s take on a Belgian Tripel and is brewed with honey and osmanthus tea. This beer will be available at all three Great Leap Brewing locations starting Wednesday, October 10th for 60rmb. 

On top of the release of our Three Door Tripel, Great Leap’s annual anniversary celebration – the Karl Long Challenge – will take place on Saturday, October 13th. For those of you who are unaware, the event involves drinking 15 Great Leap Brewing beers (set by us) across both Great Leap Brewing locations. The only rules are that you have to finish all 15 beers on Saturday and that you must drink at least one beer at each Great Leap Brewing location. That means you could have fourteen beers at #45 and one beer at #6 or seven beers at #6 and eight beers at #45. The choice is yours. Just no sharing or having friends help you! The cost is 300rmb, and upon successful completion you will rip off your shirt at the bar (also a requirement) and then receive a limited edition 8th Anniversary Great Leap Brewing t-shirt. Good luck, Karl Long Challengers!

Finally, for those of you who want to celebrate our anniversary with us but not imbibe 15 brews, we will also be hosting an day-long special at both of our locations that gets you any 4 beers on the menu for 100rmb. On top of that, 100rmb will also get you any two beers and either two slices of pizza or one burger at Great Leap Brewing #45. Bring your friends, family members, or just come post up by yourself and join us as we celebrate 8 years of Great Leap Brewing!

These 8 years have been some of the most challenging, entertaining, and rewarding years of our lives. Nevertheless, as we said before we wouldn’t be able to do what we love without the support of each and every one of you. So please, come out and celebrate the 8th Anniversary of Great Leap Brewing as well as the 8th Anniversary of Beijing craft beer with us on Saturday, October 13th, 2018. See you there!