Singapore Pump Room, Paulaner, Red Dot and Homebrewers

The air is heavy with humidity and heat in Singapore much of the year. Fal, my wife and I are still thirsting for adventure as we take a quick walk over to one year old The Pump Room Microbrewery Bistro ( 3b River Valley Road, #01-09 The Foundry, Clark Quay). Along the way we pass a number of nightclubs and restaurants one of which is called the Clinic, a cocktail bar featuring hospital décor, operating lights and tables, rattan wheel chairs and institutional waiting-room seating. I’m told cocktails are served in giant syringes and filled I.V. bags are hung near your table. We went for the beers at The Pump Room.
    We meet assistant American brewer Jeff Murphy and sample the IPA, Pilsener, Porter and various other brews including their hoppy. Most of the offerings were mild in balance, catering to Singaporeans introducing themselves to beer with character. I drifted towards savoring the hoppy Celebration Ale.
    My wife Sandra and I manage to find the Paulaner Brauhaus located at Marina Square behind the 5-star Oriental Hotel. Typical of Paulaner’s Brauhauses throughout the world there was little in the way of diversity. Good quality yeasty light Helles Lager and a yeasty dark Dunkel Lager were the extent of their offerings. Served ice cold in an untypically German fashion I could not tell the difference between these two beers with my eyes closed. The heavily infused yeast fruitiness was not my preference, so we hurriedly made our way to our next destination. 
   (Photo right, Ernest Ng, owner Red Dot and inspired homebrewer) Beer calls at the newly opened Red Dot Brewhouse (Blk 25A, #01-01 Dempsey Road). Singaporean Ernest Ng, head brewer, owner is excited to have finally opened his dream and side occupation. His claim to fame in Singaporean is his reputation for rennovating old and historical buildings.
    We delight at the hospitality, meeting leaders of Singapore's local homebrew club . Along with his young Indonesian assistant brewer Ng Kah Hoe I couldn’t say enough about the quality of his German-style Hefeweizen, hoppy Summer Ale and dark caramel balanced English style brown ale. Having been open not even a month, his Lime Wheat, Munich Dark and Czech Pils were still conditioning in the tanks. But he did treat us to his brilliantly green “health” spirulina beer called Monster Green. I stuck with the Summer Ale and English Ale.

    If you find yourself in Singapore contact the local homebrew club and find out about the latest beer treats. You won’t regret it.

Topics: craft beer , craft brewers , Breweries , Culture