Bangkok started the ball rolling in Asia two years ago, before Seoul and Tokyo did a me-too. And now, Singapore will join the club of cities to get a Mikkeller Bar – ours will be at Deck, that gorgeous stack of containers on Prinsep Street.
Photo: Ahmad Iskandar Photography
Shush, beer geeks, we know it's a pretty big deal. For the average drinker, though, here's what you should know: the gypsy brewer – it borrows facilities from other breweries, but gets them to breathe life into its own recipes – from Copenhagen started as a wildly experimental cult brand in 2006. It has since grown into a global empire that has annexed draft rooms, bottle shops and beer-and-bites concepts around the world, and puts together the kick-ass annual Copenhagen Beer Celebration festival, where head honcho Mikkel Borg Bjergsø taps on his black book to showcase some of the world's best breweries. And of course, there's a portfolio of coveted, still-wildly-experimental brews with plenty of character that has earned this Danish brand a firm following.
Mikkel Borg Bjergsø outside the Mikkeller at DECK
Now, after three years of negotiations, Corrine Chia and Lincoln Goh – they’re the folks behind local distribution outfit The Drinking Partners and tap bar Druggists – are setting up the city’s first licensed Mikkeller spot.
Between two 40-foot containers, a total of 20 taps pour brews exclusively from the mothership. Three house brews – the Bugis Brown, Prinsep Pilsner and Waterloo Wit – are the only constants on a beer list that covers Bjergsø’s own creations and special imports from his illustrious brewer friends. 'There's an outstanding range of beers set aside for Mikkeller Bars for sure,' says Chia. 'I like to be surprised, too, so I usually send an empty container for them to fill up.'
Photo: Ahmad Iskandar Photography
Inside the tiny room that seats 12, the Scandi-cool aesthetic rules – tones of clean pine and Mikkeller's signature shade of turquoise are splashed on the doors. Keith Shore, Mikkeller's long-time label designer, has also designed Harry and Sally murals with subtle local touches for the walls inside. Outside, on Deck's tarmac, up to 80 punters can be accommodated on beer hall tables and benches. Wherever you ultimately choose to sit, relish in the turn of events that brought us this cool, happy place. It's finally happening, people. We're getting our own Mikkeller Bar. We've arrived.
Mikkeller Bar Singapore is slated to open on Sunday, April 24, and they're giving away the first 120 beers for free.