Quick answer
Beijing is China's craft beer capital, with 12+ outstanding brewpubs and taprooms spread across historic hutong neighborhoods and the buzzing Sanlitun district.
- Best overall
- Great Leap Brewing — ¥40–80 — 4.2★ (143 reviews)
- Top pick
- Great Leap Brewing — Beijing's original craft beer pioneer and still the most iconic name in Chinese craft beer.
Top verdicts
- Great Leap Brewing (大跃啤酒): The original Beijing craft beer experience in a historic hutong courtyard
- Jing-A Brewing Co. (京A): Innovative experimental brews and the most polished taproom in Beijing
- Slow Boat Brewery: Award-winning craft beer paired with genuinely good food in Sanlitun
A decade ago, your beer options in Beijing were Tsingtao and Yanjing. Today, the city has one of Asia's most exciting craft beer scenes — hutong courtyard breweries using Sichuan peppercorn and local honey, polished taprooms with international collaboration brews, and dive bars with craft taps tucked down narrow alleyways.
Area map
All 12 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Leap Brewing (大跃啤酒) | Pioneer | mid | Dongcheng | |
| 2 | Jing-A Brewing Co. (京A) | Brewery | premium | Chaoyang | |
| 3 | Slow Boat Brewery | Brewery | mid | Chaoyang | |
| 4 | NBeer Pub | Taproom | budget | Xicheng | |
| 5 | Arrow Factory Brewing | Hutong | mid | Dongcheng | |
| 6 | Peiping Machine Brewing | Hutong | mid | Dongcheng | |
| 7 | Wild Kite Brewing | Taproom | premium | Dongcheng | |
| 8 | Beersmith Gastropub | Gastropub | premium | Chaoyang | |
| 9 | Panda Brew (熊猫精酿) | Brewery | budget | Dongcheng | |
| 10 | The Wild Goose Brewing | Brewery | mid | Chaoyang | |
| 11 | Locust Brewing | Hutong | mid | Dongcheng | |
| 12 | El Nido | Bar | budget | Dongcheng |
1Great Leap Brewing (大跃啤酒)
Pioneer (Est. 2010)Quick comparison
- Best for
- The original Beijing craft beer experience in a historic hutong courtyard
- Strengths
- Known for Pioneer (Est. 2010)
- Limitations
- Can feel crowded on weekends; multiple locations vary in vibe
- Price / value
- ¥40–80 per pint (~$6–$11 USD)
- Why it made the list
- Founded in 2010 by American expats Carl Setzer and Dane Vanden Berg, Great Leap was Beijing's first craft brewery. Every Reddit thread about craft beer in Beijing starts here. The Honey Ma Gold alone is worth the visit — floral Sichuan peppercorn and local honey in an easy-drinking golden ale.
- What to order
- Honey Ma Gold (the flagship — Sichuan peppercorn + honey). Also try the Pale Ale #6 and whatever seasonal is on the chalkboard. The courtyard location on Doujiao Hutong is the one to visit.
🕐 Opening hours
2Jing-A Brewing Co. (京A)
Experimental BreweryQuick comparison
- Best for
- Innovative experimental brews and the most polished taproom in Beijing
- Strengths
- Known for Experimental Brewery
- Limitations
- Slightly pricier than competitors; can get packed on weekends
- Price / value
- ¥45–85 per pint (~$6–$12 USD)
- Why it made the list
- Jing-A consistently pushes the envelope with collaborations featuring breweries from the US, Japan, and Europe. Their all-natural approach and commitment to incorporating Chinese ingredients sets them apart. The taproom on Xingfu Cun is one of Beijing's best hangouts.
- What to order
- Worker's Pale Ale (the everyday staple). Then try Black Velvet Vanilla Stout and whatever hazy IPA is on rotation. The Mandarin Wheat is a great warm-weather choice.
3Slow Boat Brewery
Award-Winning BreweryQuick comparison
- Best for
- Award-winning craft beer paired with genuinely good food in Sanlitun
- Strengths
- Known for Award-Winning Brewery
- Limitations
- Sanlitun can feel touristy; no hutong atmosphere
- Price / value
- ¥40–75 per pint (~$6–$10 USD)
- Why it made the list
- Slow Boat combines world-class craft beer with a kitchen that takes food seriously — proper burgers, wood-fired pizza, and pub grub that goes far beyond bar snacks. The Monkey's Fist IPA is consistently excellent, and the seasonal releases are always worth trying.
- What to order
- Monkey's Fist IPA (the flagship). The Captain's Pale Ale for something lighter. Pair with their wood-fired pizza or the brewpub burger — both are genuinely excellent.
4NBeer Pub
Multi-Tap HavenQuick comparison
- Best for
- Sampling the widest variety of Chinese and international craft beers under one roof
- Strengths
- Known for Multi-Tap Haven
- Limitations
- Not a brewery — curates rather than brews; some locations better than others
- Price / value
- ¥35–70 per pint (~$5–$10 USD)
- Why it made the list
- NBeer fills a different niche — it is a curated craft beer bar, not a brewery. If you want to taste beers from 15 different Chinese craft breweries in one session, NBeer is the place. The staff can guide you through the tap list and recommend based on your preferences.
- What to order
- Ask the bartender for their house stout and whatever new Chinese craft arrival they are most excited about. Try a flight of 4–5 different beers to sample the range.
5Arrow Factory Brewing
Hutong BrewpubQuick comparison
- Best for
- An intimate hutong brewing experience away from the Sanlitun crowds
- Strengths
- Known for Hutong Brewpub
- Limitations
- Small space; few reviews to go by; limited food options
- Price / value
- ¥40–70 per pint (~$6–$10 USD)
- Why it made the list
- Arrow Factory is an essential stop on any hutong beer crawl. It is close enough to Great Leap and Peiping Machine to walk between them, and the intimate setting gives you a feel for what Beijing's craft beer scene is really about — small, personal, and tucked away down an alley.
- What to order
- Their IPA is the go-to. Ask what is freshest on tap — with a small operation like this, the newest batch is always the best.
6Peiping Machine Brewing
Hutong Industrial ChicQuick comparison
- Best for
- Industrial-chic hutong brewing in the heart of Fangjia Hutong's beer strip
- Strengths
- Known for Hutong Industrial Chic
- Limitations
- Small seating; limited food; not as well-known as the Big Three
- Price / value
- ¥40–75 per pint (~$6–$10 USD)
- Why it made the list
- Peiping Machine is part of the Fangjia Hutong craft beer cluster that makes hutong bar crawling possible. Combined with El Nido (two doors down) and nearby Arrow Factory, it forms a walkable triangle of excellent beer spots. The beers stand on their own — well-balanced and crafted with care.
- What to order
- Their amber ale is a crowd-pleaser. Try whatever seasonal or collaboration brew they have on — small breweries like this do their best work on limited runs.
7Wild Kite Brewing
31-Tap Mega BarQuick comparison
- Best for
- The sheer volume of tap options — 31 taps for the indecisive beer lover
- Strengths
- Known for 31-Tap Mega Bar
- Limitations
- Can feel overwhelming; some taps rotate faster than others; slightly pricier
- Price / value
- ¥45–90 per pint (~$6–$13 USD)
- Why it made the list
- 31 taps makes Wild Kite the single best place to taste Beijing's craft beer diversity. You can try house-brewed beers alongside guest taps from smaller Chinese breweries that don't have their own taprooms. It is a craft beer discovery engine.
- What to order
- Start with a flight of 5 half-pours to sample the range. Ask the bartender for their current favorite house brew and the best guest tap. The IPAs and sours rotate frequently.
8Beersmith Gastropub
Upscale GastropubQuick comparison
- Best for
- Upscale hotel brewpub experience with on-site brewing and live music
- Strengths
- Known for Upscale Gastropub
- Limitations
- Most expensive on the list; hotel setting lacks street cred; CBD location
- Price / value
- ¥55–100 per pint (~$8–$14 USD)
- Why it made the list
- Beersmith fills the niche for people who want craft beer in a comfortable, modern setting with great food and entertainment. The 12 copper brewing tanks with laser-cut Chinese zodiac signs are impressive, and the beers — from blonde ales to English porters to citrusy IPAs — are well-executed.
- What to order
- Start with the blonde ale (nutty and sweet, easy-drinking at 4.8% ABV). Then try the IPA (tropical and citrus notes, 6.5% ABV) and the English porter (fruity aroma, 5.5% ABV). Pair with the wagyu burger or beer-marinated ribs.
9Panda Brew (熊猫精酿)
Chinese Craft ChainQuick comparison
- Best for
- Budget-friendly introduction to Chinese craft beer with multiple convenient locations
- Strengths
- Known for Chinese Craft Chain
- Limitations
- 3.6★ rating is the lowest on the list; chain feel lacks character; beers are safe rather than exciting
- Price / value
- ¥35–65 per pint (~$5–$9 USD)
- Why it made the list
- Not everyone wants to hunt down hutong breweries. Panda Brew is accessible, cheap, and serves as a stepping stone into Beijing's craft beer world. The Chinese-ingredient beers (tea, jujube, osmanthus) are worth trying even if the overall lineup is less adventurous.
- What to order
- Try the osmanthus-flavored ale for something uniquely Chinese. The honey wheat ale is a safe crowd-pleaser. The IPA is adequate but not the standout here.
10The Wild Goose Brewing
Rising NewcomerQuick comparison
- Best for
- A fresh perspective on Beijing craft beer from the newer generation of Chinese brewers
- Strengths
- Known for Rising Newcomer
- Limitations
- Newer and less proven; limited reviews; may still be finding its identity
- Price / value
- ¥40–80 per pint (~$6–$11 USD)
- Why it made the list
- Beijing's craft beer scene is not just about the expat-founded pioneers anymore. Wild Goose represents the Chinese-owned new wave, and its Sanlitun location makes it easy to include in a crawl with Slow Boat and Jing-A. Worth checking out to see where the scene is heading.
- What to order
- Try their pale ale as a baseline, then explore whatever seasonal is on tap. New breweries often put their best work into limited releases.
11Locust Brewing
Hutong MicroQuick comparison
- Best for
- The adventure of discovering a tiny, experimental hutong micro-brewery
- Strengths
- Known for Hutong Micro
- Limitations
- Very small; limited hours; hard to find; limited reviews
- Price / value
- ¥40–75 per pint (~$6–$10 USD)
- Why it made the list
- For craft beer enthusiasts who have already visited the Big Three and want something off the beaten path, Locust delivers the thrill of discovery. The small batches mean you might try something that nobody else will get to taste again — that is the magic of micro-brewing.
- What to order
- Whatever is on tap — with only a few options, the brewer can tell you exactly what each one is and why they made it. Let them guide you.
12El Nido
Hutong Craft Beer BarQuick comparison
- Best for
- The authentic hutong bar experience with excellent imported craft bottles
- Strengths
- Known for Hutong Craft Beer Bar
- Limitations
- Very small — only a few seats inside; no Google rating available; limited food
- Price / value
- ¥30–60 per drink (~$4–$8 USD)
- Why it made the list
- El Nido is the bar that every Beijing expat has a story about. It is on Fangjia Hutong right next to Peiping Machine, making it a natural stop on any hutong crawl. The Spartan decor and picnic-table seating are part of the charm — this is Beijing drinking at its most authentic.
- What to order
- Ask what Belgian imports they have in the cooler — the selection rotates. On tap, try whatever is freshest. The Italian-made bar snacks are a pleasant surprise.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beijing good for craft beer?
Yes — Beijing is widely considered China's craft beer capital. The scene took off around 2010–2012 with pioneers like Great Leap Brewing and Slow Boat, and has since grown to include dozens of brewpubs, taprooms, and beer bars spread across hutong neighborhoods and modern districts. Expect everything from world-class IPAs to experimental brews using local Chinese ingredients like Sichuan peppercorn, tea, and honey.
How much does craft beer cost in Beijing?
Craft beer in Beijing typically costs ¥35–80 RMB per pint (~$5–$11 USD). Local brews tend to be cheaper (¥35–55), while imported craft beers and high-ABV specialties can run ¥70–100+. Happy hour deals at places like Great Leap and Jing-A can drop prices to ¥25–35. Compared to Western cities, Beijing is excellent value.
Where is the best area for craft beer in Beijing?
The Dongcheng hutong area (around Gulou/Drum Tower, Fangjia Hutong, and Andingmen) is the heart of Beijing's craft beer scene. Sanlitun in Chaoyang is the other major hub, with Slow Boat's flagship and Jing-A's taproom. For a bar crawl, start in the hutongs around Gulou and work your way to Sanlitun.
What beers should I try in Beijing?
Must-try Beijing beers include: Great Leap's Honey Ma Gold (Sichuan peppercorn and local honey), Jing-A's Worker's Pale Ale and rotating hazy IPAs, Slow Boat's Monkey's Fist IPA, and NBeer Pub's house stouts. For something uniquely Chinese, look for beers brewed with tea, osmanthus, or baijiu barrel-aged specialties.
What are the best craft beer bars for tourists in Beijing?
Start with the 'Big Three': Great Leap Brewing (the original hutong pioneer), Jing-A Brewing Co. (the most polished taproom), and Slow Boat Brewery (best food-and-beer combo). All three have English menus and English-speaking staff. For a more local experience, try NBeer Pub, Arrow Factory, or El Nido in Fangjia Hutong.
When is the best time to visit Beijing breweries?
Most Beijing brewpubs open between 11 AM–5 PM and stay open until midnight or 1 AM. Weekday evenings (Wednesday–Thursday) are the sweet spot for avoiding crowds. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the best seasons for hutong bar crawls — the weather is perfect for walking between venues.
Can I do a craft beer bar crawl in Beijing?
Absolutely. Start at Great Leap's courtyard in Dongcheng, walk to Arrow Factory and Peiping Machine in nearby hutongs, then taxi to Sanlitun for Slow Boat and Jing-A. The hutong stops are 5–15 minutes apart on foot. Total cost for 8–10 beers across 4–5 bars: roughly ¥300–500 (~$40–$70 USD).
Do Beijing craft beer bars accept credit cards and mobile payment?
Most established brewpubs like Great Leap, Jing-A, Slow Boat, and Beersmith accept WeChat Pay, Alipay, and international credit cards. Smaller hutong bars like El Nido and some NBeer locations may be cash-only or WeChat Pay only. Carry some cash (¥200–300) as a backup, especially for hutong spots.
Planning your Beijing craft beer crawl
The ideal Beijing beer crawl covers two districts — the Dongcheng hutongs and Sanlitun — in one evening.
Hutong route (walk): Start at Great Leap Brewing's courtyard (5 PM), walk to Arrow Factory in Jianchang Hutong (15 min), then to Peiping Machine and El Nido on Fangjia Hutong (10 min). That is 4 spots within walking distance.
Sanlitun route (taxi from hutongs, ~¥20): Slow Boat Brewery for dinner and beer, then Jing-A Brewing for late-night taps. Wild Goose is nearby if you want a third stop.
Budget: ¥300–500 (~$40–$70 USD) for 8–10 beers across 4–5 bars. Most bars accept WeChat Pay and Alipay; carry ¥200 cash for smaller hutong spots.
Best time: Weekday evenings (Wed–Thu) for fewer crowds. April–May and September–October are ideal for walking between hutong bars.
Getting around: DiDi (China's Uber) works between the hutong and Sanlitun districts. The subway (Line 2 to Andingmen or Line 10 to Tuanjiehu) also connects the two areas. Bike-sharing (Meituan, Hello) is excellent for hutong hopping in good weather.