Pub Discovery: Smith Street Taps

Pub: Smith Street Taps

Country/City State: Singapore

Last night i had a great first encounter with the craft beer scene here in Singapore! 

Hidden away in a Chinatown Shopping Centre, at the end of a busy food street, is what appears to be one of many “hawker” or pop up stalls to which the centre plays host. 

The Shopping Centre

But this isn’t your usual shop or food stall…

What looks like an empty corner during the day...

While during the day this corner of the shopping centre seems empty and abandoned, once evening approaches, a transformation seems to take place

.

This empty and hidden corner transforms into one of the coolest “pub streets” which I have ever seen.

Well technically…not a street, more of a “pub shopping centre” which really is a first for me!

As the shutters in this empty corner open, something magical is revealed inside, one of the smallest and greatest craft beer pubs which i have ever seen!

Turns into Smith Street Taps at night!

With just enough space inside for a few staff members, Smith Street Taps has the size of a small pop up shop, and not that of your usual craft beer pub. Apart from making this place really stand out, and unique in its way, its small size and location also bring great benefits. 

Due to it being located in a shopping centre, and only occupying the space of a small pop up shop, the rent is relatively very low when comparing to usual bars and brewpubs.  

With small size, come great benefits….. not something which is said very often :P

Kegs, Kegs, Kegs!

Another thing that makes this pub awesome is that they serve exclusively from kegs! These kegs come from all over the world, and change almost on a daily basis, and with around 10 kegs to choose from at any one time, this really is a place offering a variety of different brews! 

It was mentioned to me that importers often try to push their kegs to this pub first, as they are known for their fast keg turnover! So fast in fact, that the majority of their kegs aren't even kept in fridges, just outside, as they don't get the chance to warm up (see picture above)!. 

Kegs on offer yesterday, from: Germany, Japan, UK, Spain, Norway and the US!

There was plenty for me to choose from! This daily variety of beer really makes this small bar very dynamic and fun to come back to!

Trying a Yona Yona Ale, from Japan! 

The staff is also very friendly and helpful. I was provided with a lot of information, and had some great conversations with employees and one of the owners. Furthermore, i even got to taste several beers free of charge, so great customer service!

As the bar doesn't have its own terrace, customers use the surrounding food court (in which the bar is located) as a replacement. This really adds to the atmosphere as its possible to order a craft beer from Smith's and grab some food from somewhere else (also great if you start getting hungry after one too many beers). 

Food Court = Beer Garden

Smith Street Taps is also a great meeting place for beer lovers, importers and brewers! I had some great conversations with some of the regulars, who gave me some great tips about craft beer here in Singapore. I even had a conversation with two importers from the Napar brewery (Spain), as yesterday marked the first day Napar was being sold in Singapore (at Smith Street Taps, off course). 

Getting Busier

And the great thing is, in this corner of the shopping centre, there is another bar run the same owners! 

Just a few "stalls" away, there is the "The Good Beer Company", which opened some time before Smith Street Taps. Instead of selling only beer from the tap, the Good Beer Company sells only bottles. 

The Good Beer Company

Here, there is also a wide international selection of craft beer, and also some nice classics such as Chimay, Duvel and Rochefort! 

Together, these two "pubs" ensure that there is a brew for everyone's taste, and make this shopping centre a whole lot of fun to visit!

Although i have only been in Singapore a few days, this is already one of my favorite craft beer spots! Great brews, great people, and relatively great prices! This is definitely a place i can recommend if you find yourself in Singapore and in need of a good brew!

Cheers!

My Ratings:

Yona Yona Ale - Pale Ale - 4/5*

Also Drank: 

Northern Latitude - Rye IPA - 4/5*

Old Ford Export Stout - Stout - 3.75/5*

Tasted:

Big Ass Money Stout - Imperial Stout - 3.75/5*

London Mead - Mead - 3.75/5*