epicure Indonesia – July 2019

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style brauhaus, Le Ble d’Or (No. 1, Section 1, Chengde Road, Datong
District. Tel: +886 2 7737 0909).
Taihu Brewing, launched in 2013, aims to make Taiwan the
craft beer capital of Asia. A packed out ChuoYinShi Da’An (translates
to sipping room) (No. 34, Alley 27, Section 4, Ren’ai Road, Da’an
District.) on a Tuesday night is a testament to what they’ve achieved
in six short years. There’s a sense of community at their taprooms,
which are fitted out with long communal tables, allowing strangers
to rub elbows and converse with one another. Landmark (No. 68,
Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District. Tel: +886 2 2722 0592)
follows suit but as a standing-only concept (not that it deters the
enthusiastic crowd). Chances are you’ll find cicerones geeking out
over the brewery’s signature use of Taiwanese fruits and herbs as
they down pints of Kumquat Kölsch (NT$200).
Should the weather permits, make a beeline for Zhang Men
Brewing (No. 10, Lane 4, Yongkang Street, Da’an District.
Tel: +886 2 2395 2366), a barebones outfit that’s a 10-minute
stroll from Yong Kang Beef Noodles. The amiable staff will walk
you through the 20 taps, all cheekily named after the featured
ingredient. There’s Shan Dian (which means lightning), a floral
Taiwan Pepper Ale (NT$200), cream ale Nai Yu Nan Hai (butter boy)
(NT$200) and an auspicious Da Ji Da Li (blessings of fortune) for
their Kumquat Fruit Beer (NT$200). For variety, go for the beer flight
(NT$498) comprising six goblets of your choice.
You know a country’s craft beer scene is heating up when
Copenhagen-based microbrewery, Mikkeller, sets its sights on it.
Mikkeller Taipei (No. 241, Nanjing West
Road, Datong District.
Tel: +886 2 2558 6978), a two-storey
taproom that’s reminiscent of a
Scandinavian living room, is the haven
for craft beer fans with 24 rotating
taps. Expect classic Mikkeller brews, an
exclusive Taiwanese Dream Pilsner and,
occasionally, brews from Taiwan Head

BeerGeek MicroPub Taipei

Mikkeller Taipei

Indulge Experimental Bistro

Brewers. The Taiwanese influence extends to the kitchen where

chicken wings make way for Lu Wei (braised meats) (NT$200) and

Gua Bao (pork belly burger) (NT$100). For an alternative, check out

the Mikkeller BLACK Series of whiskies (NT$300/50mL).

BeerGeek MicroPub Taipei (No. 8, Yongji Road, Xinyi District.

Tel: +886 2 2748 7558) is what you need for a fuss-free night out: ‘90s

rock blasting, affable expats-turned-locals coaxing you to play a

game of darts, and rounds of frosty American Pale Ale from Sambar

Brewery. Hint: Chat up the owner for an insider’s access to the city’s

hidden speakeasies.

Tea-rrific tipples

Tea appears to be the common denominator when it comes to

enticing imbibers in this city. You won’t be able to cover all 24 of Aki

Wang’s unique creations at Taipei’s top cocktail bar (on Asia’s 50 Best

Bars list for three years running), Indulge Experimental Bistro (No.

11, Lane 219, Section 1, Fuxing South Road, Da’an District.

Tel: +886 2 2773 0080). His Tea & Cocktail Mixology series (NT$450

each) features housemade tea cordials – pouchong, tung ting and tie

guan yin among others – which are swirled into delicate tipples and

complemented by the season’s best fruits and herbs.

A sip of the oolong rum-based Mar-tea-nez (NT$400) will reveal

how “cocktails-on-tap” Draft Land (Level 1, No. 2, Lane 248, Section

4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District. Tel: +886 2 2731 8975) won its

No. 45 spot on the same list.

J DID YOU KNOW?

The iconic Taiwan Beer

gets its distinctive local

flavour and sweet

aftertaste, thanks

to the addition of

Formosa rice during

the fermentation

process.