The Best Craft Beer Bars in Singapore For A Fresh Pint
PUBLISHED June 22nd, 2023 06:00 am | UPDATED July 8th, 2023 01:02 am
It’s hardly news that Singapore’s craft beer scene is hopping (pun intended). The last few years have seen an explosion of taprooms and microbreweries around town – some flying the homegrown flag high and others bringing in fresh brews from around the globe. With beer festivals and events drawing crowds, here are some fantastic craft beer bars we love – and where you’ll be able to explore, learn and indulge in a chilled pint all year long.
Smith Street Taps
Tucked in a grungy back corner of Chinatown Complex, craft beer pioneer Smith Street Taps is our go-to for affordable hop bombs paired with hawker grub. The dozen-strong tap roster ranges from homegrown to international beers, covering a wide range of styles. With current highlights such as Turning Point Brew Co’s Sentient Glow Pale Ale and Alive Brewing’s fruity IPA, Yuzu Relax, it’s not surprising they’re doing a roaring trade here most nights.
Smith Street Taps is located at Blk 335 Smith St, #02-062 Chinatown Complex, Singapore 050335, p. +65 8853 8535. Open Tue-Thu 6pm–10.30pm, Fri 6pm-11pm, Sat 2pm–11pm. Closed Sun & Mon.
Druggists
Home of craft beers, natural wines and cocktails, Druggist has become well-known for its extensive selection of beverages and hearty good food. Located in Jalan Besar, the bar serves up craft beers from around the world with over 23 rotating taps and more than 200 bottled beers. Amongst the wide range of styles and flavours are New England IPA The Rustler by Co-Conspirators Brewing Company and Passionfruit And Lime Ripple Ice Cream by Duncan’s Brewing. Tuck into addictive Tofu-Rrific Tacos (S$14.50 for 3), and Chick To Thai For (S$14) where a crispy chicken cutlet is topped with fresh Thai-style salad.
Druggists is located at 119 Tyrwhitt Road Singapore 207547, p. +65 6802 0228 / +65 6341 5967. Open Mon 5pm-12am, Tue-Thu 4pm-12am, Fri-Sat 3pm-12am, Sun 3pm-10pm.
American Taproom
Despite the name, American Taproom isn’t all-American in its tap list. With a jaw-dropping arsenal of 32 taps at the Waterloo Centre flagship and 40 taps at the Geylang Road branch, expect fresh brews from Australia, Asia, and beyond – with plenty of IPAs to keep the hopheads happy. If you’re having trouble picking your poison, their Cicerone-certified servers are more than able to recommend brews. The food selection goes heavy on comfort, with burgers, thin-crust pizzas, and shoestring fries to nibble on.
American Taproom has outlets in Waterloo Centre and Geylang Road.
Orh Gao Taproom
Cheekily named after the coffeeshop moniker for Guinness stout, Orh Gao Taproom is a toast to Singapore’s kopitiam heritage. By day, it leads a double life as a homely Killiney Kopitiam; by night, ten taps pour a rotation of craft beers from local and international breweries. Line your stomach with local comfort bites like Beef Rendang (S$18) and Har Cheong Gai (S$13) – you can even get your dose of greens with Gao Kailan (S$9) stir-fried with black garlic.
Orh Gao Taproom is located at 10 Jalan Serene, Serene Centre #01-03, Singapore 258748, p. +65 8749 2755. Open Sun, Tue-Thu 4pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-12am. Closed Mon.
Yeast Side
As its name suggests, Yeast Side does everything yeast perfectly – from sour dough bakes to craft beers. Café by day and a beer joint by evening the spot, hit the King Albert Park location for brunch fare like Shakshuka (S$16) as well as Grilled Cheese Toastie with Tomato Dip (S$16) with smoked cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan stuffed in sourdough toast. Not to mention the unique craft beer offerings like Browar Stu Mostow’s Base, a sour-fruited Gosé with notes of guava, grapefruit and papaya, and chocolate & salted caramel stout Sister Midnight by Boneface Brewing Co.
Yeast Side has outlets in King Albert Park & Farrer Park.
Ziggy Zaggy
Ziggy Zaggy’s 18-tap-strong list offers brews local and international, across an eclectic range of styles. On the lineup, you’ll find IPAs like Drake’s Brewing Company’s Aroma Coma, and Brewlander Singapore’s Freedom lager, starting from S$7 per half-pint. Besides craft beers, Ziggy Zaggy also serves craft saké, spirits and natural wines. They’ve got classic American grub like burgers and ribs, plus a solid all-day breakfast selection for munchies. Did we mention they’re pet-friendly too?
Ziggy Zaggy is located at 51 Kampong Bugis, #01-04, Singapore 338986, p. +65 8628 0775. Open Tue-Fri 3pm-12am, Sat-Sun 12pm–12am. Closed Mon.
Temple Cellars
Essentially a cosy bottleshop and taproom, Temple Cellars probably offers the widest range of craft beers, ciders, wines, spirits and non-alcoholic alternatives in Singapore. From boutique producers, home-grown producers and international beer creators – they’ve got it all. Whether you opt for enjoying your chilled pint in-store at Bukit Timah or River Valley, take it away to indulge at home or shop 24/7 online, expect whimsical numbers along with your usual favourites. There are also plenty of in-store tasting events and bottle shares, so keep a lookout on their socials.
Temple Cellars has outlets in Bukit Timah or River Valley.
SG Taps
As the name suggests, SG Taps’ whopping 20-tap lineup goes big on local brews. At this no-frills Duxton beer haunt, you’ll find a pale ale-heavy array from the likes of CRUST Brewing, Sunbird Brewing Co, Lion Brewery, and Off Day Beer Company. The taplist switches up frequently, and is best paired with some of their unusual Japanese-Singapore fusion snacks. Smoked Oyster (S$8) and Stewed Beef Tongue with Stout, anyone?
SG Taps is located at 13 Duxton Hill, #01-01, Singapore 089597, p. +65 6904 8474. Open Mon-Sat 12pm–10.30pm, Sun 1pm-10.30pm.
Almost Famous
Almost Famous is perhaps best known for its restrained interior, so that nothing influences or distracts from the main star: craft beer. With a rotational roster of 15 craft beers on tap, expect something new each time you visit. Amongst the selections are Classic Pale Ale by Hong Kong’s Young Master Brewery, a versatile sip with just enough malty richness, flavoured with both North American and Australian hops. Or sip on the Glasgow-brewed Maple Nutter by Overtone Brewing Co, full of dark roasted malts, peanut butter, and maple syrup notes.
Almost Famous is located at CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St, #01-06, Singapore 187996, p. +65 9772 1787. Open Mon 5pm–10 pm, Tue-Thu 5pm–11 pm, Fri 5pm-12am, Sat 2pm-12am, Sun 2pm-10pm.
Good Luck Beerhouse
Fan of drinking local? Head down to this craft beer and dim sum space in Haji Lane – an unlikely combination that just seems to work for Good Luck Beerhouse. Their 12 taps are dedicated to made-in-Singapore brews, with familiar names like Off Day Beer, That Singapore Beer Project, and Brewlander on the current lineup. Pair your pint with some of their famed nibbles like the highly raved about Good Luck Ramly Burger (S$15), and Sze Chuan Mala Kaarage (S$15).
Good Luck Beerhouse is located at 9 Haji Lane, Singapore 189202, p. +65 8028 4804. Open Mon–Wed 4pm-12am, Thu–Sun 12pm-12am.
Top Image: Unsplash
