The Asia Pub Guide

GIVEN THE huge range and variety of beers that are available there is no single answer to that. However the basic composition of beer is as follows.

WATER
Well that’s pretty obvious but the mineral content will have a crucial effect on the flavour and colour of the beer produced. Compare a bottle of San Miguel from The Philippines to one from Hong Kong, for example.

MALT
Grains such as barley and wheat are soaked, germinated and baked. The starches released by the grain turn to sugar. Subtle differences in malted grains will produce quite different tasting beers.

YEAST
This is what makes the process work. The yeast digests the sugar from the malt and turns it into alcohol.

HOPS
Added during the brewing process as a preservative and to add bitterness and aroma. There are dozens of different types, each with their own character and flavour. These days the words ale and beer are interchangeable but strictly speaking an ale is beer without hops.

The choice of variety, quantity and brewing method all have an effect on the taste, colour and strength of the beer produced. Lager, stout, porter and barley wine are all beers but are quite different in appearance and taste.

Variety can be expanded further by adding fruits, herbs, molasses, honey and spices.

LOOKS FAIRLY simple huh? Home brewing is in fact a popular hobby. I remember my first attempts back when I was a student. Of course if I had persevered, or if I had followed the instructions rather than trying to produce the strongest beer ever brewed, I might eventually have come up with something drinkable.

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SLIM’S IS a cosy hole in the wall type place in Hong Kong.

It’s an appropriate name, tunneled into an old shop-house at 1 Wing Fung Street, Wanchai you almost need to turn sideways to get in. The bar takes up most of the left wall, there is a line of seats along the right and a few tables down at the far end. There is also a familiar crunch of peanut shells underfoot.

For somewhere that is actually quite a hike from anywhere else in Wanchai this place is surprisingly popular. True there are a few restaurants up on Star Street but I suspect it’s popularity has more to do with the music, which is strictly blues and R&B, and the friendliness of the staff.

It might also have something to do with the impressive range of imported bottled beers from British micro-breweries. Several of which are not on the menu, so be sure to ask.

There is also a menu of pub grub that includes pizza, pasta, bangers and burgers

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I NEVER put my phone in my bag, it goes in my shirt pocket. It’s an old phone, it doesn’t take pictures, access the internet or feed the cat.

As for my bag, I don’t put much in it at all. A small camera, an iPod, a notepad so I can remember where I’ve been and a book for long journeys. I also keep a bottle opener … for emergencies.

There are two types of emergency, for one you need a bottle opener, for all the others you need a phone. Rarely do you need both at the same time … unless it is to ask someone to bring you a bottle opener.

On the left is a bottle of Emmerdale Ale. The label on the back tells me it is; “A rich, smooth, golden ale, with a finely balanced flavour of fruity English Golding hops and Maris Otter malted barley. The result is a refreshing beer that is a joy in its own right or, the perfect accompaniment to roasted meats and strong cheeses”.

After a long day at work the first one goes down so well it hardly has time to wet the inside of the glass. After four or five there is a danger I become over refreshed and leave my bag in the pub. But at least I’ll be able to call and ask them to put it somewhere safe.

Welcome to The Asia Pub Guide

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