NBeer Pub Opens a 7,000-Bottle-Strong "Museum" in Wukesong
Since local microbrewery NBeer Pub opened in Huguosi in 2013, it has grown to become a hotspot for beer lovers in the west thanks to its various in-house brewed range as well as a solid lineup of beers from across China, including Wuhan No.18, Chengdu Harvest, Nanjing Master Gao, and Wuhan Bubble Lab. The team then opened their second location in Sanlitun Soho in 2015, and while this newer spot lacks some of the character or clientele of its Huguosi branch, that hasn't deterred NBeer who have since tracked down the funds for a massive bar in a slightly unexpected locale: Wukesong. After all, westerners need to drink beer, too.
A flight of six tasters is RMB 118
We have to confess that downtown life has spoiled us rotten when it comes to bar hopping, but at the same time we can't really resist the promise of 42 beers on tap, five more than NBeer's sister location in Huguosi.
During our visit on a weekday afternoon, there were already three tables happily knocking back brews, apparently unaware of the daily grind. They too were likely to have been drawn in by the 42 taps lining up the shiny stainless wall behind the bar, and the glitzy digital screen informing guests of the huge range of beer available. Two dozen bar stools with comparatively tiny seats line the bar, tempting drinkers to fall off after one too many – an odd choice to say the least.
Apart from NBeer's own selection, there's also suds from domestic breweries Master Gao, No. 18, Dalian Devolver, Shanghai Bmax, as well as Arrow Factory's Seeing Double IPA. Imported editions include Hop Zombie Imperial IPA from Epic, and Fatamorgana Imperial IPA and Mazarin Pale Ale from Omnipollo. Unfortunately, a dozen beers were off tap during our visit but there was plenty to keep us humming.
Look at the glitzy taps, while we are not sure about the pink racks
The price of a pint is RMB 40-85, a flight of six tasters is RMB 118, while 12 tasters is RMB 218. As is the case at the original location, they also have a decent fridged selection, the majority being imports from Flying Dog (America), Hitachino Nest (Japan), Toøl (Denmark), Pōhjala (Estonia), De Molen (Netherlands), and Founders (America), with prices ranging from RMB 39 to over RMB 1,000, depending on how much damage you want to do to your wallet.
The food menu is well stocked with your usual range of stodgy bar food, such as burgers, nachos, a taco salad, french fries, potato wedges, cold cuts, sausages, fish and chips, as well as seven varieties of pizza. For dessert there's tiramisu, and if you fancy, even durian cheesecake.
7,000 bottles are unapproachable, though
If the original Huguosi reflects more of co-owner Yinhai's character, then this site is more in the vein of co-owner Xiao Bian’r touch, who’s also owner of Passby Bar in Nangluogu Xiang. He's designed the space to include over 7,000 empty beer bottles arranged around the bar, and collected by Xiao Bian’r over the past 12 or so years, making it a veritable beer bottle museum.
To be honest, we much prefer this location to NBeer's other two spaces thanks to its airy atmosphere, superior playlist, and staggering range of pours and envy-inducing display.
It's best to head out to Wukesong via the subway. Once you arrive, follow the signs to the booming Live Hi-Up mall, which also houses Ikea and Gung Ho! Pizza. We're most likely to visit before one of the area's basketball or ice hockey fixtures but to tease you out before then, expect some special tastings from the crew in the near future.
NBeer Pub Wukesong
Daily 11am-1am. Unit 132, B1, 69 Fuxing Lu, Haidian District (from Wukesong subway station, take the "Live Hi-Up!" Exit B1, turn left upon entering the outdoor plaza, and walk 50 meters north) (6815 1986)
海淀区复兴路69号院华熙LIVE HI-UP （宜家订货中心斜对面）B1-132
Photos: Tracy Wang, NBeer Pub
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