The best craft beer bars in Singapore

New kid on the East Coast block, Tapout Craft Beers, boasts 20 taps of craft beers straight from the US, Australia, New Zealand to even France. You won't see the likes of commercialised craft beers here as the joint aims to share authentic craft for all enthusiasts. Though, there's still an approachable selection of $10 pints for value-seekers. Apart from classic American grub of made-from-scratch juicy burgers, you'll find Asian influences peppered in some dishes such as the light crunchy calamari with a Thai-inspired hot sauce, Mexican nachos using Lotus root chips, Viet-inspired moreish dancing beef cubes, and popular Dongbei spicy-savoury skewers.

Having a few swigs here is as rustic as it gets but extremely local is what it is. This craft beer taproom/stall is located within a hawker space at Chinatown Complex pouring out no-frills fresh, cold pints – some 20 different pours sourced from a variety of local and international brands – that can be paired with hawker food from neighbouring shops. Just remember to dress light for the weather, and perhaps wash all that hawker nosh down with some cold pints. If you're fortunate enough, you might even find yourself in good company of craft beer purveyors of Singapore and perhaps, shed some light on Singapore's craft beer landscape and history.

Brewerkz came a long way since it first began in 1997. Now its fourth outpost is a swanky 200-seater space in the back ends of Orchard Road, making it the perfect retreat from the shopping hordes. Hang out at the stunning copper bar and session your way through 20 taps of award-winning craft beers and a seasonal selection. Peckish? Pair your pints with the addictively crispy and aromatic 7-herbed crab cake ($28) and other Asian-inspired fusion grub. Though if you've got the appetite, definitely try the stout butter charcoal grilled Wagyu ribeye ($62).

Corrine Chia and Lincoln Goh's other craft beer spot is a watering hole modelled after Mikkeller's Viktoriagade flagship in Copenhagen, and the selection of beer styles here is pretty damn gutsy. Expect the juiciest NEIPAs from Gamma Brewing, hearty imperial stouts from Amager Bryghus to the eclectic sour red ale from the legendary Brouwerij Rodenbach. Extra brownie points for the knowledgeable servers, too.

This Duxton hill native has been around for four years and it is still a diamond in the rough. Make no mistake, it’s a place for craft beer enthusiasts where fresh suds flow consistently out of 20 rotating taps. But what’s really special is their clear focus on pledging at least half their taps to local craft beer brewers on the daily which we thought was worthy of a shoutout. Owner Norihito Hirose is one of the biggest craft beer lovers around and he isn’t one to shy away from sharing about the very best that is in season. While you're at it, pair your swigs with humble and comforting Japanese cuisine plus a local twist.

A colloquial wordplay on the Hokkien acronym for beer is MALT. This quiet taproom blends into the dull grey architecture of The Concourse but its taps are not boring at all. The owner, William, brings in craft beers from approachable styles such as milkshake IPAs and fruity ales to bold experimental beers like barrel-aged imperial sours and triple IPAs that attract a firm yet discerning following. With a total of 12 rotating taps, each week promises a different range from all across the globe. Best part? Prices are nett and William is totally cool with you bringing in your favourite foods to pair with the beers – just make sure you offer him some.

At the basement of the iconic Katong Shopping Centre is a cosy drinking hole, Freebird. The mall is known for a couple of timeless gems like the chicken rice at the food court, the classic banana pie from Dona Manis and the friendly neighbourhood ghostbusters located near the entrance – so a joint serving up craft beer, coffee and tea and bar bites is quite a refreshing change of scenery. Come with an open mind and ready to be adventurous with your palette. The selection includes lesser-known IPAs, stouts and sour beers that go down well in our hot weather. 

Local bar American Taproom opens a second outlet along Geylang Road. Need help choosing from some 30 taps that the drinking hole has to offer? Just consult any one of the friendly staff; the bar comes tended by beer servers under the Cicerone Certification Program – perfect for offering tailored recommendations. Cold pints are best quaffed down with comfort food of slow-cooked pork ribs ($32) and beer-battered fish and chips ($18).

This trendy bakery taproom in the Northwestern part of Singapore is a popular spot for brunch (till 2pm) and sourdough pizzas when they fire up the oven after 4pm. To accompany those delicious treats, the team – who is also behind cult craft beer bar Orh Gao Taproom – brings in fresh craft beers on tap to pair. There's also a small selection of natural wines that serves the curious imbiber.

Orh Gao Taproom leans into its local heritage by naming the place after the Hokkien moniker for stouts. Aside from 10 exciting taps of local to international craft beers, the food served is a fun play on hyper-local Asian classics, including juicy Har Cheong Chicken Wings ($12), spicy Sambal Stingray ($15), and an irresistible Rempah Fried Chicken ($14). It comes with no surprise that it became such a hit with craft beer lovers and nearby residents alike.

Hidden away in the forgotten sanctuary of Kampong Bugis, this gastropub serves up soul-comforting American grub with over 18 taps of international craft beers. While you’re at it, chat up the friendly owners as they are more than happy to share about beer pairings that complement your food and trust us, they've got some darn delicious craft beers from around the world to recommend. There's even a sake on tap if you're looking for the occasional classy switch up. 

The Guild is the antithesis of the speakeasy that once occupied its grounds. Instead of chichi cocktails written on an illegible menu, you get generous pours of craft beer from Hong Kong's largest independent craft brewery, Young Masters. Probably the best weekday deal on eclectic Keong Saik Street, you'd be cheesed to know Young Master core beers flow off the taps at just $11 a pint on Mondays. Oh and definitely order up a life-changing bowl of salt and vinegar fries as you quaff – thank us later.

Level33 might be the world’s highest microbrewery, but there’s more to this sky-high bar than just cold pints with a view. It is also a restaurant and bar – with prime views that overlook the scenic Marina Bay Area. Giant copple kettles are kept busy with fruity lagers and banana-scented wheat beers while some five brews are available on tap at any time.

Here's a beer hall with an on-site 500-litre microbrewery that experiments with fun and funky recipes so that you don't have to. Featuring a 23-strong beer list, quaff down familiar blends from local craft beer company – Lion Brewery Co, including the crisply refreshing Straits Pale Ale, and the low-malt Kaiser Kolsh perfumed with pear and apple aroma. Both are perfect for day drinking. But if you're looking to try funky creations, grab a pint of the Raspberry Beer-et, a Berliner Weisse well-balanced with sweet juiciness and tartness from the berry, and the Something Something, a Tropical India Pale Ale.

Let’s get the basics out of the way: this is a no-frills craft beer bar along Haji Lane that’s dark and dingy but promises the freshest local craft beers and a modest selection of Asia-inspired cocktails from cult cocktail bar Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall to chase. On typical nights, you’ll have access to 16 taps of craft beer with which to acquaint yourself, best paired with elevated zi char bar bites and juicy meat stacks. But if alfresco is your thing, dress light, ask for a table on the lane and bask under the moonlight in the ever-vibrant Haji Lane.

The Copenhagen-based craft beer brand has set up a permanent home in the buzzy Chinatown Complex Food Centre. What started as a pop-up (following a period of closure) is now the world’s only hawker-based Mikkeller Bar. Available on tap are 10 rotating options, along with a list of bottled variants to guzzle down. From the opening tap list: Do Stuff Together, a hazy New England pale ale bursting with tropical and citrus notes; and the Kaffestout with bold, toasty coffee notes.

It’s a new dawn for Heart of Darkness. The craft beer taproom, hailing from Saigon, has found a new home in the hip neighbourhood of Keong Saik. With the new space comes a bigger area – sample over 25 different craft beers on tap, along with a drinking menu filled with wines and beer cocktails. Feeling hungry? The food menu pulls from its Asian roots to give you Western-fusion plates that are best chased down with a cold pint or two. 

Here's a modest taproom along Owen Road that hopes to quench the thirst of craft beer lovers. The Parlour Mirage is an amber-hued shophouse space that features 12 rotating taps (from $13.50) that range from an easy-to-drink Clockwork Tangerine from BrewDog to a sweet strawberry gum stout by Native Series. But this craft beer house hopes to be more than just a watering hole, pair up pints with Japanese and Mediterranean fusion nosh for an overall jolly good time.

This ultimate laid-back microbrewery is tucked away like a time capsule on the eastern reaches of Singapore. The draft beer list is on constant rotation, with the brewery frequently experimenting and concocting new brews. While you sip away into the evening, tuck into American roadhouse barbeque and other classic pub noshes. For those who love some daytime imbibing, the Weekend brunch is also worthy to mention. Also, you could drink as much as you pour thanks to Little Island’s pour-it-yourself system – so you’ll only pay about $2 to $3 for 100 millilitres of happy juice.