This week started with an American holiday and our oldest’s first week of full-day pre-K. The temperatures had dropped a bit, but, as has been the trend here, the humidity decided to step up its game, nullifying any relief that comes with lower temps. Mother Nature likes to keep things unpredictable this time of year. I suppose she’s entitled to it.

My wife and I strolled along the northern banks of the Liangma Riverwalk. The authorities here in Beijing have redeveloped this stretch into something of a destination point. As we made our way from our residential complex to our lunch spot, a 45-minute walk away, we realized this was the first time we had been out by ourselves since we arrived in China.

She pulled out her phone as we stopped to people-watch.

“There’s a brewery near where we’re headed for lunch. Should we go there afterward?” She asked.

I knew this was more of an announcement of her desire to have a beer, not a general question into the ether. It wasn’t: Oh, there’s a brewery here; maybe we can check it out. Instead, it was more or less: I want to go here, so I suggested the lunch place so we can have a beer or two afterward at this place around the corner.

She’s going to hate the fact I read through the deception. But she also knows me enough to know I won’t say no, and that visit would lead to the sort of content we’re getting to below.

The brewery she pointed to was just the brewpub for one of the local beer makers–Arrow Factory Brewing. Like with Slow Boat, I had previously heard about them through the craft beer bar in our building. The owner had pointed them out on a map and told me it was an excellent place to grab a few pints.

It sits along a quiet tree-lined side street among residential highrises on the south side of the Liangma River, just a few hundred meters west of Xindong Road. If there weren’t a big sign out front, you’d miss it. However, the facade does stand out among the drab grays and dull pinks of some of the surrounding buildings. So maybe even without the sign, it would at least draw your attention.

We entered a quiet ground floor and looked around the cozy dining room and the back patio space. Voices were heard in rooms behind closed doors. My wife and I were unsure if we had arrived too early or if the place wasn’t open for business. It seemed weird that the door was left open if either of those two things were the reality.

After I scoped out a menu, I followed a set of stairs leading up to another floor. There was a second floor with a series of taps and a much more sizable dining area. Two patrons lunched, and a bartender and two servers hovered over the space. They nodded hello, and I asked in English if we could sit outside. They nodded again.

The patio space was just as cozy as the ground-floor dining area. And it reminded me of the back patio at Vinoteca, a DC wine bar in Shaw just south of the U Street corridor. Medium-colored stained wooden tables and chairs with darker accents. And a wooden privacy fence with horizontal slats stained in the same medium tones as the tables. Tanned or beige outdoor sofa cushions sat on top of the wooden benches built into the bottom of the fence line.

It was a quiet place to sit and have a drink. A place for reflection, to converse in ways we haven’t since arriving in Beijing with our two young children. But that’s not what you’re here for. You want my review of the beer.

After perusing the menu, my wife and I each ordered a pint of something different. She chose the New Leaf IPA, and I picked the aptly named Liangma IPA.

New Leaf IPA

Aroma

Hints of citrus, grapefruit, both the fruit itself and the peel. Subtle hints of pine, but nothing overpowering.

Appearance

Hazy to the point of opaqueness. Solid foam that left rings around the edge of the glass as you sipped.

Taste

Like biting into a cold orange with the peel still on. A burst of sweet and refreshing juice mixed with the peel's bitterness. A bit like Tang.

Feel

There was a feeling of pepper on my tongue long after the sip. It danced there, not stinging but full of flavor.

Overall

4 out of 5. Maybe a bit too low or too high for others. But considering I’m not a hazy IPA guy, four is quite good from me. It was a well-balanced, fresh beer that ticked all the boxes of something I’d drink again. However, these types of IPAs are a dime a dozen, understandably so, because this is the current trend in the tastes of beer drinkers.

Liangma IPA

Aroma

Dank, bitter nose. Reminded me of Bear Republic’s Racer 5 IPA.

Appearance

Amber in color. The solid tan foam also left ringlets on the side of the glass as you drank it.

Taste

What you expect from a traditional IPA, or at least the American standard version. Imposing. A slight hint of smoke or something metallic. Burnt orange peel. Bitter. Reminded me of the Rowdy Rye Ale from Atlas. Or a fuller-bodied Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Feel

The Rowdy feeling may also come from the finish, which was peppery and long like the Leaf above. Balanced.

Overall

4 out of 5. This was a good beer. I’d drink it again. There was a bit of nostalgia for the misspent days of my youth when we downed Killians Irish Red because we thought it was cool. It was both traditional and different enough from what you get nowadays that I definitely want more of it.