World-renowned Copenhagen-based craft brewery, Mikkeller has once again dropped anchor in Singapore. But where? Their previous locations in Purvis Street and Deck Art Gallery have gotten fans guessing – and most were surprised that they have decided to set up shop in the heart of Chinatown Complex Food Centre!
We paid a visit to their new outpost to uncover the reason why and of course.. To drink tons of yummy beer!
Mikkeller Brewing Company. A familiar name that resonates with anyone who’s anyone in the craft beer scene. The brand is globally known as one of the most successful craft beer breweries; exporting their core beers to over 50 countries (and counting) and setting up taprooms in different cities i.e. Bangkok, Hong Kong, San Diego, Shanghai and Tokyo.
Mikkeller Singapore – The first of its kind in a hawker centre
The idea to open Mikkeller Singapore right in the heart of a bustling hawker centre stems from many objectives. To provide better accessibility, affordability and variety to anyone who appreciates or is interested in beer! After all, craft beers shouldn’t be limited to just seasoned beer geeks.
Offering 10 taps currently as well as a fridge stocked with a variety of local and imported brews, there’s bound to be something for everyone. Majority of their taps will feature Mikkeller’s range but a small percentage will be reserved for different brews.
Many craft beer purists and die-hard Mikkeller fans may disagree, thinking that doing so would sour the reputation of the brand. But contrary to what naysayers have said, we’re all for it. In fact, we think it’s genius. And better still is being able to enjoy a solid pint alongside a dizzying array of local dishes. That’s right, craft beer and hawker food pairings are a thing so you best get behind it.
Beginning our evening, we were treated to the Mikkeller Kaffestout (S$17/Pint), an artisan stout from Mikkeller’s core range brewed using lactose and Coffee. It has a well-rounded flavour with hints of roasted coffee and sweetness coming through and the lactose gives it a richer, smoother, more velvety mouthfeel. Unsurprisingly, it pairs deliciously with a plate of satay or claypot rice.
Pairing Mikkeller Beers with Singaporean Hawker Dishes
To go along with our first beer, we had an assortment of satay from Shi Xiang Satay (#02-079) comprising chicken, pork and mutton skewers. The toasted malt amplified the char from the satay; and the sweetness of the peanut gravy paired wonderfully with the subtle sweetness of the stout. A winning pairing right there—who would’ve thought.
The next beer to grace our palate was the Mikkeller Beer Celebration Copenhagen’20 Berliner-style Weisse With Fruits of the Sun (S$16/Pint). Tinged with the juice from blood oranges, pink grapefruits, oranges, and calamansi, this Berliner-style Weisse beer boasts a crisp and effervescent mouthfeel, beckoning to reveal sour notes of the respective citrus shortly after.
Resembling a sour in the way that it feels and tastes, it made sense to pair it with Sweet & Sour Pork which was procured from 80 Huat Huat Xiao Chu (#02-080). The sourness from the sauce and the beer cancelled out one another, revealing just the sweetness of the pork and the robust, unctuous flavour of the meat. A mind-blowing pairing, this one.
Witnessing the resurgence of craft beer culture here in Singapore (especially during the pandemic) is indeed comforting. But to see it making its way to our hawker centres is another thing entirely. Cheers to our shared love for craft beer and skål to Mikkeller Singapore on the successful launch!
Address: Chinatown Complex Food Centre, 335 Smith Street #02-58, Singapore 050335
Opening Hours: 5.30PM – 10PM (Tue to Fri), 2PM – 10PM (Sat), Closed on Mondays & Sundays
Nearest MRT Station: Chinatown
Disclaimer: We were guests of Mikkeller Singapore, but all opinions remain our own.
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