You might have heard of a certain taproom in Singapore that lets you chug down as much craft beer as you can for an hour upon the sounding of a gong. The catch: the beers are free for as long as no one leaves the bar or heads to the toilet within the hour. This iconic tradition – also known as “Pressure Hour” – has earned Lion Brewery Co quite some street cred in the drinking scene.
But there’s more to this gastropub than its peculiar Pressure Hours and endless pours. The taproom also has an in-house brewery to brew its own beer, as well as 25 beer taps including some old English cask hand-pumps. In fact, Lion Brewery Co has roots in 19th century London as a brewery along the River Thames. It was demolished in 1949 and revived decades later in Singapore – the ‘Lion City’ – by four beer-loving friends in 2018.
Step into the space and you’ll get a sense of why regulars flock back each week. The bar’s fitted with everything you might need to unwind and relax after a long day – cushy sofas, pool tables, and massive TVs with live sports screenings of the EPL, Grand Prix and more. There’s even a newly-opened speakeasy bar hidden behind a faux refrigerator, featuring live DJ sessions on selected nights. And if you’re heading down with the kids on weekends, a range of board games are readily available, along with a movie space that’ll keep the young ones sufficiently entertained.
The two signature craft beers you’ll want to try here are the Island Lager ($16.50 per pint) – a smooth and crisp beer with a light elderflower aroma; and the Straits Pale Ale ($16.50 per pint) – a straightforward brew with clear notes of passionfruit and lychee. The New England Session IPA ($16.50 per pint) and Frosty Mornings IPA ($17 per pint) are also great choices for those who prefer more hop. And in the bar’s endeavour to cater to lightweights or those who simply don’t love beer, the Keep Calm Session Ale ($16.50 per pint) is a true mid-strength IPA with a 3.5 percent ABV. Alternatively, go for the Ong Lai ($16.50 per pint) – a bright, pineapple-forward brew with a modest 3.6 percent ABV.
If you’re curious about the other brews on the menu, Lion Brewery Co also has a six-course beer pairing menu ($70 per person) that takes you through their best brews in 180ml portions, alongside a curated selection of sides to fill you up. This is one pairing menu that has their combinations nailed down to a tee. The opener features the bar’s refreshing Island Lager to wash down a perfectly deep-fried scotch egg – complete with a gooey middle and a rich sriracha mayo dip. Next, try a glass of the Spindle Press Cider with hints of apple to go with crispy pork belly bites and a tangy apple sauce.
Other highlights on the tasting menu include The Boss – a bold but balanced 5.9 percent ABV IPA that’s paired with a juicy beef slider. Even non-fans of IPA will appreciate how the beer’s hoppiness complements the richness of the patty and the sweet caramelised onions. The menu ends with a dessert course featuring the Cold Smoke Nitro Stout – a unique treat for coffee lovers. Coffee beans are added to the beer right before it’s kegged, lending hints of espresso and chocolate to the creamy stout. To finish, pour the stout over the ‘beeramisu’ – a rendition of tiramisu made with beer instead of coffee liquor or Kahlua.
Keen to find out more about how Lion Brewery Co brews its beers? You can book a brewery tour package ($60 per person) with the pub, which will entitle you to a tour of the brewery, a beer flight of six 180ml pours, a tasting platter, and Lion Brewery Co merch. Find out more about Lion Brewery Co here.