Shanghai: Craft Beer Tasting in Former French Concession

Shanghai’s craft beer scene is thriving, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the city’s historic Former French Concession. This immersive tasting tour guides beer enthusiasts through local brewhouses, where they’ll sample a variety of distinctive brews while delving into the area’s rich cultural heritage. From insights into the contrasting influences that shaped the neighborhood to the chance to savor traditional Shanghai-style dumplings, this experience promises an engaging blend of flavors and discoveries. Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer aficionado or simply curious to uncover Shanghai’s hidden gems, this tour may just pique your interest and leave you eager to learn more.

This experience made our list of the 8 Best Drinking Tours In Shanghai.

Key Points

• This craft beer tasting tour explores Shanghai’s vibrant brewing scene, including visits to three local brewhouses and a traditional liquor store.
• Participants can sample six craft beers, rice wine, and Shanghai-style dumplings while gaining insights into the city’s historic neighborhoods.
• The 3-hour tour offers a balance of culture and craft beer tasting, highlighting the contrast between traditional and modern aspects of Shanghai.
• The knowledgeable guide provides transportation and enhances the experience with information about the city’s brewing culture and local communities.
• The tour receives excellent customer reviews, with praise for the guide’s expertise and the opportunity to interact with local brewers and store owners.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

This craft beer tasting tour provides visitors to Shanghai with a unique opportunity to explore the city’s vibrant brewing culture.

Priced at $79 per person, the 3-hour experience takes guests to three local brewhouses and a traditional Chinese liquor store. Participants can sample six glasses of craft beer and a rice wine, as well as enjoy Shanghai-style dumplings.

The tour also includes stops at Fuxing Park and Sinan Mansions, allowing for an intimate glimpse of Shanghai’s historic neighborhoods.

With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the option to reserve now and pay later, this tour offers a flexible and hassle-free way to discover Shanghai’s thriving beer scene.

Pricing and Inclusions

The tour is priced at $79 per person and includes six glasses of craft beer, a rice wine tasting, and Shanghai-style dumplings.

The tour duration is three hours, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance. Participants can book their spot and pay later.

The tour includes a private guide who assists with transportation at the end.

Excluded are additional alcoholic drinks, personal expenses, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Based on nine reviews, the tour has an overall rating of 5/5, with positive feedback on the guide’s knowledge and the unique cultural insights provided.

Experience Highlights

The craft beer tasting tour in Shanghai offers visitors a chance to explore the city’s thriving brewing scene.

During the 3-hour experience, participants visit 3 local brewhouses and a traditional Chinese liquor store, sampling a total of 6 glasses of craft beer and a rice wine.

Guests also enjoy Shanghai-style dumplings as they take in the sights of the city’s former French Concession, including Fuxing Park and the Sinan Mansions.

The tour provides an intimate glimpse into Shanghai’s drinking culture, with a knowledgeable guide assisting participants throughout the experience.

Visiting Local Brewhouses

Visitors start their craft beer tasting journey at The Brewer, a local brewery located in the Xintiandi area. Here, they sample a variety of beer styles – from a refreshing wheat beer to a robust dark stout. The tour then moves to Shanghai’s Old City, offering an intimate glimpse into traditional neighborhoods.

Brewery	Beer Style	Tasting Notes
The Brewer	Wheat Beer	Crisp and refreshing
	Pale Ale	Hoppy and balanced
	Dark Stout	Rich and roasted

Afterwards, the group visits a traditional liquor store to learn about local rice wine, which serves as an introduction to China’s diverse drinking culture.

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Exploring Shanghai’s Old City

After savoring the craft beers at The Brewer, the tour ventures into Shanghai’s Old City.

Here, the guide provides an intimate glimpse of traditional neighborhoods, allowing participants to enjoy the local culture. The winding streets and historic architecture offer a stark contrast to the modern skyscrapers of the financial district.

Along the way, the group learns about the unique challenges faced by these communities as Shanghai continues to evolve.

The tour’s exploration of the Old City not only satisfies the thirst for craft beer but also quenches the desire to discover the city’s rich heritage and diverse urban landscape.

Tasting Local Rice Wine

Following the craft beer tastings at the local breweries, the tour group makes their way to a traditional Chinese liquor store.

Here, they’re introduced to the art of rice wine production and the unique flavors it offers. The guide walks them through:

• The history and cultural significance of rice wine in China
• The fermentation process and how it differs from Western-style beverages
• Tasting notes, highlighting the subtle sweetness and complex aromas
• Pairing recommendations, such as steamed dumplings or Cantonese cuisine
• Insights into the growing craft rice wine movement in Shanghai

This interlude provides a deeper appreciation for China’s distinct drinking culture, complementing the earlier exploration of the city’s craft beer scene.

Craft Beer Sampling

The craft beer tasting journey begins at The Brewer in the vibrant Xintiandi area. Guests sample a local wheat beer, pale ale, and dark stout, getting a taste of Shanghai’s craft beer scene.

Next, the tour explores Shanghai’s Old City, offering an intimate glimpse into traditional neighborhoods. At a local liquor store, visitors learn about Chinese rice wine and get to try this unique spirit.

The tour then visits Boxing Cat Brewery, where they sample craft pilsners, lagers, and stouts.

The experience concludes at the Shanghai Brewery near Fuxing Park, where guests enjoy additional craft beer tastings before the guide assists them back to their hotel.

Customer Feedback

Customers who’ve experienced the craft beer tasting tour in Shanghai have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback.

The tour’s 5-star rating reflects the exceptional quality of the experience. Reviewers consistently praise the guide’s knowledge and professionalism, with one noting "the guide’s insights into Chinese culture made the tour truly memorable."

Other highlights include:

• Personal interactions with local brewers and liquor store owners
• Unique opportunities to sample traditional rice wines
• Immersive exploration of Shanghai’s historic neighborhoods
• Delicious dumplings that complemented the craft beer tastings
• Seamless logistics, including assistance with transportation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Dress Code Requirements for the Tour?

There are no strict dress code requirements for the tour. Casual, comfortable clothing is recommended, as the tour involves walking around the city and visiting various breweries. Guests should dress appropriately for the weather and their personal preferences.

Can the Tour Accommodate Vegetarian or Gluten-Free Dietary Needs?

The tour can accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free dietary needs, based on prior requests. Guests should inform the tour provider of any special dietary requirements when booking to ensure their needs are met during the experience.

Is There an Age Limit or Restriction for Participants?

There’s no age limit for this tour, but participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The tour’s content and activities are suitable for all ages, making it an enjoyable experience for both adults and families.

Can I Bring My Own Alcohol or Snacks to the Tour?

No, participants cannot bring their own alcohol or snacks on the tour. The tour includes 6 beer tastings and Shanghai dumplings, and outside food and drinks are not permitted as part of the experience.

What Is the Maximum Group Size for This Craft Beer Tour?

The tour’s maximum group size is not explicitly stated. However, as a private guided experience, the group size is likely small to ensure personalized attention and an intimate exploration of local craft breweries and neighborhoods.

The Sum Up

This craft beer tasting tour offers an immersive experience, exploring the vibrant beer scene and historic neighborhoods of Shanghai’s Former French Concession. Visitors can sample six unique local brews, enjoy traditional dumplings, and gain insights into the area’s rich heritage – all guided by a knowledgeable expert to enhance the exploration of both local culture and craft beverages.

You can check if your dates are available here: