Cheap and good craft beers at hawker centres in Singapore
Dilemma: you want to hang with your drinking buds in town on a Friday night, but you’re tired out from the week and would rather chill in shorts and slippers. You’re then forced to choose between your social life and comfort. Sian.
But hold up – instead of hitting up the snazzy bars at Ann Siang or the CBD, you can still say cheers to the weekend while wearing lupsup clothing, all without damaging your wallet – thanks to cheap craft beers at humble hawker centres!
1. Welcome Ren Min
Source: @pockyrocks
Maxwell Food Centre is the household name for late night supper runs after drinks at the bars nearby. Unbeknownst to many, there also lies a hipster watering hole which offers more than just kopitiam favourites like Tiger or Carlsberg. Welcome Ren Min will put your decision-making skills to the test – they’ve got loads of craft beer flavours, and their menu changes weekly!
They’ve got both bottled craft beers and beers on tap
Source: @3rdculturebeer
Source: @RenMin.sg
Welcome Ren Min has got 12 taps of Craft Beer (12oz, from $8) from various parts of the world – including the creamy, coffee-flavoured Dirty Perle stout from North Wales, and the bittersweet Brew By Numbers with hints of tangerine from England. You can even opt for takeaway too!
Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street #01-33 Maxwell Food Centre Singapore 069184
Opening Hours: Tue – Thu 6.30-10.30PM | Fri 4.30-10.30PM | Sat 12PM-10.30PM | Sun 12-9.30PM
2. Smith Street Taps
Complete with a range of fresh Craft Beer (1 pint of beer on tap, from $6) from both local and international breweries, Smith Street Taps stocks some rare booze, such as the Adnams Ghost Ship, a golden ale from England, and the thick Nøgne Ø stout with smoky coffee flavours from Norway.
Source: @jac_theocctrav
Address: 335 Smith Street #02-062 Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre Singapore 050335
Opening Hours: Tue – Sat 6.30-10.30PM
Telephone: 94302750
3. Charlie’s Corner
If you’re one for sipping on good booze against a scenic seascape, Charlie’s Corner will be your sanctuary after a gruelling day at work.
Source: @tj146
Dating back to the 70s, this drinking establishment boasts over 125 beers and ciders from all over the globe – stocking the likes of Stella Artois to Old Rosie Cloudy Scrumpy Cider.
If you’re feeling the munchies, pair your beer with their Hainanese-inspired, Charlie’s Famous Fish & Chips ($12.90).
Address: 2 Changi Village Road #01-08 Changi Village Hawker Centre Singapore 500002
Opening Hours: Tue – Fri 11.30AM-2.30PM, 6PM-12AM | Sat – Sun 6PM-12AM
Telephone: 65420867
4. Good Beer Company
Source: @hlblb
Taking the cake as the pioneer hawker stall to sell craft beer, Good Beer Company is tucked in the hawker centre at Chinatown Complex, famed for its Hong Kong soya sauce chicken, claypot rice and more.
Source: @tsewei
Beer noobs can rely on the owner’s Craft Beer ($6-15 per bottle) recommendations to go with your local fare. He recommends the fruity sweet but slightly tart Taiwan Lychee Beer ($10) if you’re having bak chor mee without vinegar.
Other fruity concoctions include the Honeydew Beer ($10), and the Japanese Hitachino Nest White Ale ($12), which has notes of nutmeg, coriander and orange peel.
And if you’re looking for something stronger, they also offer Belgium’s Trappistes Rochefort 8 ($12), a velvety dark beer with a hint of dates and chocolate – perfect with a plate of satay.
Address: 335 Smith Street #02-58 Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre Singapore 050335
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat 6PM-10PM
Telephone: 94302750
5. Otto Berlin Haus
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European fare need not be staged in a fancy restaurant. Trade your chic suit and tie for slippers and shorts and dive into Otto Berlin Haus – a no-frills kopitiam serving Germany’s national favourites, such as the Pork Knuckle ($13). But no meal there would be complete without beer – a perennial in German food culture.
Source: @siaosze
Expect exquisite Lager, Weizen, and Dunkel (from $8.90) to wash down your meal with. We heard they also carry the famous German Veltins Beer!
Read here to find out more about hipster hawkers in Singapore.
Address: 211 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh #01-01 Singapore 310211
Opening Hours: 11.30PM-1AM, Daily
Telephone: 98337486
6. On Tap
Hawker microbrewery, On Tap, is a refreshing addition to the local booze industry.
On Tap’s version of Root Beer (330ml, $6.50) comes with alcohol. Less creamy than the original version, it’s nothing short of invigorating.
Other variations of beer are available, all made from scratch at On Tap.
Source
Outlets: Chinatown Complex, Newton Circus
Telephone: 8722 1230
7. Stew Küche
A taste of authentic German beer need not warrant an air ticket to Germany. Stage your own booze fest on our little red dot at Stew Küche, an eatery specialising in German drinks and food.
Source: @findingnana
Complete your plump, well-grilled Bavarian Pork Sausage ($8) with a splash of Hofbräu Dunkel Beer ($11), featuring robust flavours in its dark amber body. Hofbräu Original Beer ($11) is also available for those that prefer a crisp, light gulp.
Read our full review here.
Bottled German beer is also available here
Address: 119 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-40 Salute Coffeeshop Singapore 151119
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun 11AM-3PM, 5PM-10PM
Telephone: 62766445
8. Ministry of Ribs
With a name as reverent as Ministry of Ribs, this eatery lives up to its name with their signature Hickory Smoked Ribs ($13.90) – featuring tender smoky ribs doused in BBQ sauce.
But apart from good ol’ ribs, it promises a plethora of luxurious Craft Beer (mostly $10 and under/ pint) to wash your palate clean – such as the highly-raved Deschutes Black Butte Porter, which has a slight bitterness that amplifies its roasty, chocolate finish.
Another malty favourite is the Hazelnut Brown Nectar with hints of hazelnut.
Outlets: Block 416, #01-125/126, Pandan Garden, Singapore 600416
Telephone: 98904649
9. District 20 Hot Melt Cold Brew
Source: @ibakeieat
Source: @kwokkinfei
Contemplating what to eat during your clique outings can be made easy when the dizzying array of cuisine at District 20 Hot Melt Cold Brew is brought into the equation to satisfy everyone’s cravings. They even have an extensive selection of craft beers from all over the world to kick start the weekend on the right note.
Source: @weixiang91
And with their $30 for a bucket of 5 promotion, you’re free to pick a mix of beer with selections like Asahi Black, Timmermans Framboise Lambic and Coopers Pale Ale.
Address: 38 Jalan Pemimpin Singapore 577178
Opening Hours: 7AM-11PM
Telephone: 9337 8600
10. Beer Craft
Newton Circus Food Centre might be a certified tourist trap, known for its overpriced local delights. But this doesn’t mean it’s a destination to be missed for craft beer – with Beer Craft serving drinks cheaper than an average bar.
What makes it a standout from the labyrinth of other hawker stalls is its pocket-friendly prices – with prices starting from $5 for half-pint. Whether you’re craving for the Great White or the award-winning Green Devil IPA, Beer Craft will keep your adrenaline high throughout the night.
Address: 500 Clemenceau Ave N, Singapore 229495
Opening Hours: 6PM-3AM
Telephone: 8209 1828
Non-typical alcohol at Singapore’s kopitiams
Indulging in Kinshachi Golden Ale, Timmermans Framboise Lambic and Dirty Perle might sound like a distant dream when your wallet isn’t brimming from payday – but these cheap hawker craft beers will have you going bottoms up without a worry. Remember to drink in moderation!
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