The Fine Art Of Alcohol Appreciation

Saigon's Heart Of Darkness brewery has opened its first outpost outside of Vietnam in sunny Singapore, and may probably be my current favourite South-east Asian craft beer producers. Almost their entire line of more than 20 crafts beers are on tap at their Tras Street gastrobar, which serves surprisingly decent American bar food and a sick non-mainstream rock and metal playlist that's totally up my musical alley.

Must tries are the hoppy and potent Kurtz’s Insane IPA as well as the refreshing(in name as well as taste) Futile Purpose Cucumber Pilsner.

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I like to think of this as a local version of an espresso martini, with coffee infused scotch, maple syrup, cardamom bitters and stout reduction foam cleverly approximating the buttery sugary bitterness of kopi, all served in an old skool cup and saucer lined endearingly with iced gem biscuits.

Thanks @burpple for the invite and @jekyllandhyde.sg for hosting!

Taste: 3/5

Let the stallions of pleasure bray, for this devilish elixir of mezcal and grapefruit punt e mes vermouth is a spirit-forward yet sophisticated drink I'd gladly quaff in a heartbeat again.

Thanks @burpple for the invite and @jekyllandhyde.sg for hosting!

Taste: 3.5/5

I have to commend @ronaldkamiyama ‘s stellar wine program at Bar Cicheti. Besides keeping us well-hydrated with libation between courses, he was a warm and effusive host as well, patiently explaining each well-thought out wine and food pairing to us. The coup de grace was the surprise bottle of “a hum” from the Yamamashi region of Japan – a really unique medium-bodied orange wine that spoke of its terroir, with lovely hints of citrus and the subtlest whiff of oak. Marvelous.

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Taste: 4/5

Stellar wine program by head wine dude Phil over at Drunken Farmer - Spa Esprit's natural wine pop-up bar that's taken residency on the grounds of Open Farm Community. We started the evening with an absolutely refreshing Les Agudes, a French blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grape varietals. Fruity and floral on the nose, with hints of pear and crisp green apple notes in the mouth. Salut!

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Taste: 4/5

Nestled in quiet Rochester Park is a relatively off-the-radar micro brewery that warrants any beer lover’s attention. Their craft beers are all brewed onsite and piped straight to the taps, ensuring only the freshest, crispest draft passes your lips. A good way to sample all the beers and discover your favourites is the Beer Tasting – 9 shots of fairly different but all equally delicious beer. My choice picks were the hoppy Indian and American Pale Ales, and the rich, roasty flavour of Russian Imperial Stout.

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Taste: 3.5/5

Panamericana’s housemade bloody mary mix is an alluring concoction of concentrated tomato, subtle citrus, peppery and salty notes, jacked up with the house hot sauce that leaves a pleasant, spicy afterburn with each sip. Tres picante.

Taste: 3.5/5

Easy-drinking is the name of the game here. A delicate concoction of butterfly pea infused gin, coconut water and lavender syrup is a refreshing tipple that’s a welcome alternative to some of the more heavily spiced cocktails at BeGin.

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Taste: 3/5

You wouldn't expect it, but walk up the stairs inside of iconic British pub Penny Black and you'll find yourself in a wholly different world. BeGIN is the latest speakeasy-style bar to hit town, featuring a very chic industrial interior, neon lights and a gin-focused drinks menu.

Matcha lovers might probably dig the Yukie - a citrusy gin cocktail that's full-on with matcha flavour and finished with creamy egg white foam as well as a dusting of matcha powder over half the glass. I found it too sweet and at odds with the British Indian small plates served there.

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Taste: 2.5/5

Four Points Singapore celebrates the 2nd birthday of Tall Tale Pale Ale by launching a 330ml bottled version of its exclusive craft beer. It's no mean feat to be the first hotel in Singapore to commission their own in-house craft beer label, brewed by award-winning Archipelago Brewery. And with close to 2000 barrels sold at Four Points' hotel bar The Best Brew, it's evident that guests have very much taken a liking to this easy drinking session beer.

A medium bodied pale ale(4.3 percent alcohol) with a mild floral aroma and citrusy effervescence, this tall cold one was made for our tropical climate and goes extremely well with local food, and it goes without saying, The Best Brew's bar bites.

The bottled version of Tall Tale Pale Ale is available at $13++ per bottle in The Best Brew.

From 3 to 31 August 2018, The Best Brew is running a buy-2-get-1 free at $26++ for 3 bottles special deal.

A 3-bottle pack (not chilled) is available at $19.50+ for takeaway.

Room and Tall Tale Packages
In conjunction with the launch of the bottled version of Tall Tale, Four Points Singapore has rolled out two room and beer packages that are valid for stay from 3 August to 30 December 2018:

Stay & Brew
From $188++ per night, this deal is inclusive of daily buffet breakfast and 6 bottles of Tall Tale Pale Ale per stay.

A Suite Brew
From $350++ per night, this package includes daily breakfast and a barrow (24 bottles) of Tall Tale Pale Ale.

Le Binchotan’s signature cocktail embodies its namesake in both title and essence – a black magic maelstrom of blended whisky infused with charcoal for at least 4 days, then mixed with cherry syrup, yuzu sake, Angostura, Peychaud's and orange bitters for a potent brew of sweet, sour, bitter and spicy. Little details such as the square-cut ice block branded with the restaurant’s name, the beguiling twinkle of edible glitter swirling in the concoction’s inky depths and the togarashi-crusted glass which leaves a lingering, spicy finish on the lips make this truly a cocktail of layered depth and thoughtful composition. A real gentleman’s drink if you will.

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Taste: 4/5

A scintillating blend of science and sorcery, this cocktail changes colour before your very eyes. The butterfly pea flower-infused gin turns from baby blue to a lush lavender as the "altering" potion No. 5 is poured into it. Most visually pleasing, but it takes after its namesake both in taste and sweetness, and that did not appeal to me.

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Taste: 3/5