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ocky
Squeeker
Joined: June 12, 2005
Posts: 18
Status: Offline
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  Posted:
June 30, 2005 - 09:34 PM |
 
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Hi all,
Being a 3rd generation home brewer and still very active at it here at home, im sure that i will want to brew some piss when i get to Shanghai in a few weeks time. When i get some more information on sending some of our local mix's to China, then I'll start cooking. Currently i brew in a 9 Gallon s/s keg, so i wonder if you can get these type of kegs in Shanghai.
Anyhow thats my 2 bob |
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alex.cg
Barker
Joined: Dec 27, 2004
Posts: 126
Location: French Concession
Status: Offline
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June 30, 2005 - 10:37 PM |
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Kiwi, I saw some sort of dark Sapporo at FreshMart by Jing'an Temple Metro Station. Might be what you're looking for. Not bad prices either...7 RMB for 640 ml of standard Sapporo |
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alex.cg
Barker
Joined: Dec 27, 2004
Posts: 126
Location: French Concession
Status: Offline
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June 30, 2005 - 10:38 PM |
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Incidentally, has anyone seen Leffe for sale outside of Senses? Buying a few bottles to keep in the fridge would be niiiice... |
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Joecrappie
Reacher
Joined: Apr 08, 2005
Posts: 209
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July 01, 2005 - 05:04 AM |
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I've seen Leffe at Ba Bai Bun in Pudong. City Supermarket may have it too. |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
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July 01, 2005 - 08:32 AM |
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Leffe should also be in Metro supermarkets, the supermarket below Westgate Mall, maybe also below Parkson and in Carefor.
I will have to check out that dark Saporro. But the standard Saporro can look like a dark beer when packaged in the small brown bottles (must be something about the color of the glass they use), so that might be what you saw. Never noticed it there before and I shop there a bit. Anyway, I will investigate this afternoon. |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
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July 03, 2005 - 10:47 AM |
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Checked out the dark Sapporo but no luck there. Alex.cg, what you saw must have been the standard Sapporo bottles. Although it is a standard pilsner type beer they use a very dark glass (maybe almost black) so it can look like a dark beer.
Knowing that Sapporo do make a couple of dark beers I have been caught out myself in the past by those bottles. Found myself getting all excited over a nothing a couple of times!
They do have some 330ml bottles of Erdinger Wheat beer (the light one with yeast) on special at 17RMB at Jiuguang. Not a bad deal. They also have a dark german lager in there. Forget the name now. |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
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July 18, 2005 - 09:46 AM |
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I thought I’d try comparing the Dutch beers available around town. So far as I know that means just Heineken and Grolsch. (I’ll try to do all the German pilsners some other time, but there are more of them so it’ll be a bit of a mission)
So I picked up a bottle each of Heineken (brewed here in Shanghai) and Grolsch (imported from Holland). Forget the prices, but the Grolsch is a little more expensive. The Grolsch is a fraction stronger, at 5% by volume compared to 4.7% by volume for the Heineken.
Neither of these beers are favorites of mine. Heineken is a beer I have always found drinkable but nothing special. Grolsch is one that at times I have rather disliked. It is light and gassy, and I used to feel it sometimes had a weird fishy taste (maybe from the bottle getting exposed to too much light – I don’t know). In terms of Dutch lager beers I prefer Amstel to either Heineken or Grolsch. Amstel is quite sweet, but I find it a little richer, better balanced, and more interesting than its rivals.
I poured the Heineken and Grolsch into two identical glasses. They both pour with a pretty nice head, but Heineken pours with a slighter denser and longer lasting head. The color of the two beers was similar.
In terms of taste I found Heineken rather more bitter, but also maybe a little sweeter. Grolsch seems to have a little less hop flavor, and seems a little drier. But I preferred the malt flavors in Grolsch. I like everything about Heineken except for the malt taste. In terms of maltiness Heineken is just kind of sweet with not much flavor. On the other hand Grolsch has a bit of more of a real grainy flavor, maybe a bit of toastiness etc.
Neither is a great beer. However, Heineken is better than most beers brewed in China. Meanwhile, Grolsch is such a lightweight beer that you have to wonder why it makes any sense to shipping it half way around the world. Overall Grolsch is a little nicer, but in Holland perhaps the reverse is true? The Dutch brewed Heineken that they used to export to New Zealand was certainly better than what they later started brewing locally. |
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urgentculture
Rocker
Joined: Aug 19, 2003
Posts: 766
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July 18, 2005 - 04:09 PM |
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But where were these beers brewed? Local or import? |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
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July 18, 2005 - 04:14 PM |
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Heineken is brewed locally (on Hongmei Rd. if I'm not mistaken). Grolsch is imported.
I think the locally brewed Heineken tastes good overall. It's better than the local Tiger, Steinlager, Carlsberg, Suntory, Tiger etc. (hard to believe but Tiger from Singapore tastes quite alright). |
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urgentculture
Rocker
Joined: Aug 19, 2003
Posts: 766
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July 18, 2005 - 04:26 PM |
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Then it's apples and oranges. Cannot compare a Grolsch brewed in Europe with a Heineken brewed here. I've compared the Tigers -- I'd rather pay triple to get one imported from Singapore, than the stuff they do here. And I'd likewise pay more for a Tsingtao available at any cheap restaurant in Beijing than any of the crap Tsingtao they have in Shanghai.
Wish these guys' management would pipe in and defend themselves here, or fess up. |
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rutuman
Low Seater
Joined: June 21, 2005
Posts: 3231
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July 18, 2005 - 05:56 PM |
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wow, im in England and there is a mind-boggling array of beers available here at less than sh prices.
"hey Kiwi, I can tell you're a serious beer man like myself ... how about getting a group to head over to that brew pub near the Bund. I tried it about 2 years ago and wasn't impressed but willing to give it another go."
ive been there a few years back and its about 80rmb for a couple of small glasses. i liked the beer alot. i dig all micro-brerweries, but u get shafted for the ponciness and location.
come out my way. Jiangpu lu, kongjiang lu (Yangpu/ Hongkou) and go to memories, its a big 1920's jazz style restaurant/bar. u can go underground just to the bar and watch the iffy old jazz guys or best is to go on a mon-weds night to the upstairs Brazilian BBQ place, all u can eat and drink (black beer only , sadly) for 58 rmb.
the light beer is available, but u have 2 pay xtra.
in the downstairs place u can see the micro-brewery behind the bar, really cool, but usually deadish.
prices much more reasonable than that place near the bund. |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
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July 18, 2005 - 11:04 PM |
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| urgentculture wrote: |
| Then it's apples and oranges. Cannot compare a Grolsch brewed in Europe with a Heineken brewed here. I've compared the Tigers -- I'd rather pay triple to get one imported from Singapore, than the stuff they do here. And I'd likewise pay more for a Tsingtao available at any cheap restaurant in Beijing than any of the crap Tsingtao they have in Shanghai. |
Agreed, but I still figure the local Heineken is relatively good.
The standard Shanghai Qingdao is not great, but the two pricier versions (the red and the gold) taste better, and may actually come from Qingdao. Wish I knew the full story there. The green ones are clealy labeled as comming from somewhere close to Shanghai (forget exactly where now) but the red and cold only say Qingdao on the label. |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
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July 18, 2005 - 11:05 PM |
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| rutuman wrote: |
| come out my way. Jiangpu lu, kongjiang lu (Yangpu/ Hongkou) and go to memories, its a big 1920's jazz style restaurant/bar. u can go underground just to the bar and watch the iffy old jazz guys or best is to go on a mon-weds night to the upstairs Brazilian BBQ place, all u can eat and drink (black beer only , sadly) for 58 rmb. |
OK man, let's do this when you get back. |
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DILLIGAF
LoopKicker
Joined: Dec 21, 2004
Posts: 799
Status: Offline
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July 18, 2005 - 11:24 PM |
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"...Heineken is brewed locally (on Hongmei Rd. if I'm not mistaken)..."
it's Shanghai Mila Brew Co. Ltd. (Asia-Pacific Breweries), doing the REEB BEER on Hongmei Road, Heinecken is imported to my knowledge.
This Shit Iis No Good Try Another One has a brewery in Songjiang industrial zone, approx. 35k's out of town, not very far from Tianma / Sheshan area.
Dilligaf |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
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July 19, 2005 - 12:03 AM |
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The side of the Heineken bottle says it is brewed in Hongmei Rd (by Asia Pacific Breweries), so I am just going from that.
Why do you reckon it is imported? |
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cully1
Talker
Joined: May 31, 2005
Posts: 81
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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July 19, 2005 - 09:11 AM |
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So now what's the deal with all this Formaldehyde talk. One day its not safe to drink but the next day its okay? Its hard enough to understand what's going on when the important information gets lost in translation, let alone the chinese propaganda that the papers and networks are flooded with.
Does anyone have a better idea of what the fuss is about? |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
Status: Offline
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July 19, 2005 - 10:37 AM |
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I haven't heard any talk about this in China. But I guess it would be no surprise if some breweries here were using formaldehyde.
There is an ongoing rumor that Taiwan Beer uses formaldehyde. I think the truth is that they used to use it, but stopped well over a decade ago (that is what I heard from some people, and it was confirmed by a brewery employee at a wine show). Most foreigners spreading this rumor would say formaldehyde was used as as a preservative, but the brewery employee told me it was a clarifying agent (the second does sound more likely).
This rumor is a bit weird though. I remember hearing the same rumor about Singa in Thailand. That made me wonder if the whole thing was made up.
If there is anywhere in the world where many breweries are likely to still be adding formaldehyde then it is China. Still, I doubt they would do it in the better quality beers (i.e. the red and gold qindao). But why not make this your excuse for exclusively drinking imported beer! I'm sure there is no need to worry if you stick to good quality Belgian, German and UK beers. |
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Fedor
Barker
Joined: June 11, 2005
Posts: 159
Status: Offline
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July 19, 2005 - 11:58 AM |
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Nice thread!
Kiwi where did you buy Grolsch, can't find it. I'm a dutchie, east side of holland, and Grolsch is favourite over there. Wouldn't say I miss it......  |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
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July 19, 2005 - 12:11 PM |
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You can get Grolsch in quite a lot of places.
City Supermarket in the Portman definitely has it.
Other places where I think I have seen it are Grand Gateway (in the basement supermarket), and in various bars around town (definitely around in Xintiandi since I have seen the bottles on tables there). Try Luna? |
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DILLIGAF
LoopKicker
Joined: Dec 21, 2004
Posts: 799
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
July 19, 2005 - 02:00 PM |
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| Kiwi wrote: |
The side of the Heineken bottle says it is brewed in Hongmei Rd (by Asia Pacific Breweries), so I am just going from that.
Why do you reckon it is imported? |
does it say "brewed" or "distributed" by Asia Pacific breweries?
have only seen imported Heineken. on the other hand, myself not a Heineken fan, will check next time out shopping.
HofBraeu from Germany brews now in PRC and they have small bottles in some supermarkets, not a bad beer.
Steinlager tastes weird over here in my opinion.
Dilligaf |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
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July 19, 2005 - 05:26 PM |
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I don't have the bottle here, but I think it says "produced" (制造 or something. . .).
To be honest I've never noticed imported Heineken here. But like you I'm not a huge fan of the stuff. |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
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Sep 20, 2005 - 06:08 PM |
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Time to resurect this thread. . .
I picked up a dark beer I hadn't seen before in Carefor. Made by the Pabst Blue Ribbon Group. It is called 'stout beer', and has 'stout beer technology' reassuringly printed on the side of the can. It is a local brew and therefore cheap (RMB3.5/can I think). Nothing too special. It is a dark lager not a stout. But worthwhile if you want something cheap and a bit different. Just finished a can now, got a couple more to go.
In Carefor I also picked up a big 750ml bottle (corked not capped) of a French Biere de Garde (or whatever they call it). It is strong, around 7% I think. I will let you know how it is when I open it. I'm not expecting great things but it could be OK. |
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Joecrappie
Reacher
Joined: Apr 08, 2005
Posts: 209
Status: Offline
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Sep 20, 2005 - 07:02 PM |
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I haven't seen this thread in a while and lo and behold I'm sitting here drinking a Hite that I found at Lotus when I see the thread revived. Hite is a watery Korean beer that I used to drink at this Korean restaurant in Minnesota. It reminds me a lot of Taiwan Beer which I know a lot of people hate but brings back good memories for me because my uncles used to get me drunk off it.
I'll definitely try that dark Pabst. Pabst has a really bad reputation in the states for being a gross cheap beer and a lot of the older generation (like my wife's grandpa) drinks the Pabst Pilsener. It's so bad though, that it has gained kind of a retro-kitschy following. I think there is a crowd that likes to drink Blue Ribbon, Hamms or Strohs, not because it taste good but because there is a retro-cool appeal to it. I saw the Pabst Pilsener in Hong Kong and bought a can and it tasted pretty bad but it still was good to see it there.
With respect to my quest for an affordable Guiness option, I found that Ba Bai Bun sells a tall can of Beamish for RMB18. It has that thing inside that keeps it fresh like the cans of Guiness normally have in the states. I'm pleased to say that I think I have solved my stout problem but will still head over to O'Malley's (or the cricket/rugby club) when I want a Guiness. |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
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Sep 20, 2005 - 08:11 PM |
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When I first came to China Pabst was pretty big in Beijing. I used to get given it alot at people's houses because it was the big foreign beer (still brewed locally of course). But I haven't seen it around Shanghai before.
Just came back from a Korean dinner. A few Hites being drunk in that restaurant. Not a great beer but fun if you're with Korean friends or whatever. |
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Kiwi
Post Boaster
Joined: May 07, 2003
Posts: 4763
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Sep 20, 2005 - 08:12 PM |
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Oh, where exactly is that shop that is selling the Beamish? RMB18 is a good deal for those widget cans. |
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