It was a loooong day at the office. Instead of whisky, the man felt like chugging a beer. But not the light local beers. He wanted an ale, or a porter, stout...something stronger. We went to the 3-month old 'The Drive-thru'. This isn't a bar. It's like a retail space within the mall. No smoking allowed. It's pretty much like owner Ryan 'Brick' Johnston's living room, display area for his bicycles, homemade spices, Himalayan pink salt, and of course storage shelves of bottled craft beers. All for retail.
They're planning to stock beers from Beijing's own microbreweries- 'Slow Boat' and 'Great Leap'. Grand plans of beer tasting and all. Time for the Beijing craft beer scene to rival Shanghai's. Exciting. But in the meantime, plenty of familiar flavors to choose from. They deliver too, via Brick on bicycle, within the Chaoyang district, with a minimum spend of 250yuan.
We started off with light whites. The Belgian Vedett was outstanding. Light, crisp and bubbly, it was quite a smooth swig down the throat. Then we proceeded towards the stronger stuff. That Kentucky Bourbon Double Barrel Ale was good stuff. Thick. Aromatic. Felt like I was tasting whisky! Young's Double Chocolate Stout was memorable! Very tasty. Malty, chocolate-y and awesome. We chilled out on the couch to plenty of choices of beer, and along to 'The Black Heart Procession', 'Belle and Sebastian', and 'Fleet Foxes'.
It was a super chill evening. Exactly what the man needed. Something quiet in a venue without too much bustle, flipping through a couple of magazines, and a chat with Brick who's a fellow music lover with great selections on the iPod.
The Drive-thru
5-306 Sanlitun SOHO Chaoyang district, Beijing
T: 8590 0390 / 139 1113 6564
北京朝阳区工体北路，南侧三里屯 SOHO 5－306
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