To Brew or Not to Brew, that is in the gourmet question!
Singapore has a 200 year history of drinking beer
Singapore port was founded by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819 , an Englishman. Indian Pale Ale was made in England and shipped to India and later to Singapore probably close to that date of 1819 so close to 200 years of ale drinking in Singapore. Today, Singapore does not even rate in the top 50 countries for beer consumption per capita, according to the 2011 Food and Lifestyle Report from the Kirin Institute. Yet do not worry there is the world famous Tiger Brand and brewery from 1932 and many very popular microbreweries since 1995. The Tiger Brewery has been in action for over 80 years. Firstly as Malayan Breweries Limited and later as Asia Pacific Breweries. It was establish in 1931 as a joint venture with Heineken of Holland. Tiger beer is larger beer not British ale. As the brewery says on its web site Tiger Beer is irresistible and at the end of the tour there is an English Style Pub, the Tiger Tavern, where you can imbibe a few light libations, whilst you wait for your limousine taxi to take you down town. Perhaps to the East Coast Park for a dinner of Chili Crab over looking the beach and drinking more Tiger beer.
Micro-breweries and gourmet beer
Now lets get into Microbreweries and gourmet beer, of which at least count there was 10 across the Island of Singapore. The two biggest and most established micro-breweries are Brewerkz and Paulana Munich. Brewerkz is of English style with gourmet English pub grub. Paulana is of German, Munich style with gourmet pork dishes a speciality. Brewerks, I feel is now part of Singapore culture, and dominates Riverside Point, overlooking the Singapore River and Robertson Quay and Clarke Quay on the other riverbank. It has expanded from its fist shop, in 1997, up and down the Riverside commercial complex and you can enjoy their ale in many restaurants, including Iguana, a personal favorite of mine. My personal favorite beer is the Indian Pale Ale, light in alcohol at around 4% yet full of hop flavor. Yet there are many gourmet ales, stouts and larger to choose from. Despite updating their beer list, old favorites like IPA and Golden Ale remain. There are also other Brewerks microbreweries popping up across the island spreading their joy and good will to all men and ladies. Paulaner Brauhaus, is a traditional Paulaner Munich Lager and has been at Millennium Walk, Suntec City, for as long as I can remember, over to 12 years. German beers have centuries of tradition and by German Beer Purity Law of AD1516 use only water, hops, malt and yeast. The lager is smooth, light and gently hopped. Straight from the brewery into your glass, no bottles! This is actually a global chain of traditional breweries in Germany, China, Singapore, Russia and New York. Being Bavarian, they have an awesome celebration of Oktoberfest each year. In addition to micro-breweries there are many establishments that pride themselves on their beer, wine and drinks menu. Wine-Connection is a change of vintners offering a wine shop from which you can choose your wine matched with tapas, gourmet cheese board and even full menus. The Highlander, as you may guess specialises in the finest gourmet selection of single malt whisky.
The Sunday Champagne Brunch
One of the social must do’s with a group of friends is to enjoy the Singapore Champagne Sunday brunch held at all the best 5 star hotels with exquisite gourmet smorgesbord of buffet food. Usually every food you can image is there, seafood, carvery, salads and cuisine including Japanese, Indian and Italian, deserts to die for, and a ubiquitus chocolate fountain with strawberries and marshmallows. The fixed price menu includes free-flow of Champagne, so choose your favourite champagne and book and then head to that hotel. Are there more microbreweries? Yes. Are there more gourmet food and drink adventures? Yes. Yet let me allow you the pleasure of exploring and discovering. Good hunting!
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