Young Master, Hong Kong-based pioneer of Asian craft beer, is taking the bold step to expand its footprint across Asia with its launch in Shenzhen, China, just in time to celebrate five years of continued growth in Hong Kong, an occasion it is also marking with the launch of a limited-edition anniversary beer.
With the number of craft breweries burgeoning and following its first overseas debut in Singapore, Young Master will be expanding its regional presence, exporting not only its distinctive beers but also its ecosystem of bespoke taprooms designed for the growing community of ‘craft-curious’ beer lovers in select cities across Asia.
Rohit Dugar, Founder of Young Master, says that Shenzhen is a city with one of the youngest populations in China.
“It’s thriving design and creative culture coupled with proximity to our home base, is the perfect place for our maiden China launch,” says Rohit. “The decision to further expand across the region is driven by the near universal thirst across the region for distinctive world class beers that are made by fiercely independent brewers like us.”
With an aim to lay down roots in Southern China, Young Master will establish both a self-owned distribution network for its beers and its first taproom on the mainland – a contemporary beerhall playfully named “Goon Goon 灌館”, due to launch towards the end of November 2018.
Taking residence in the exciting new development, Upperhills in the Futian district, the convivial space draws inspiration from the Bauhaus design aesthetic popular in post-war Hong Kong. The venue will serve a full range of the brewery’s signature beers and a lovingly created food menu that reimagines beerhall cuisine in its local context.
“It presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase exciting, high-quality beers that are locally rooted in their design and brewed close to the doorstep of “craft-curious” consumers in the region,” Rohit continues.
A local favourite, Young Master has established a strong base in Hong Kong since its inception in 2013, with local bars increasingly putting its tipples on tap to meet consumer demand for a wide range of beers that display a greater level of richness, complexity and flavour. Furthermore, its ecosystem of affiliated taprooms like The Ale Project, Second Draft and Alvy’s set the standards in Asia in creating unique experiences centred on great beer.
Since Young Master began operations, it has earned the support of partnerships with some of the discerning clients in the region including iconic clients like Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons; prestigious private clubs; craft beer specialist bars and some of the trendiest restaurants and bars in town.
Release of 5th Birthday limited-edition beer
To mark these achievements, Young Master will also be releasing a limited-edition fifth anniversary beer.The salted caramel and chocolate birthday cake imperial stout is a twist on the multiple award winning Hak Mo Sheung series from the brewery. A limited quantity of kegs and handful of magnum (1.5L) bottles will be released at select venues across Asia.
Young Master’s ‘Master Lead Brewer’, Tom Hanson says that this barrel aged celebratory stout is part of the story of the company’s journey from its first tapping at a local homebrew store, to becoming one of Asia’s highest rated and most award-winning craft brewers.
“This limited-edition beer is just one example of the wide variety of craft brews that we’ve become so well known for,” says Tom.
“We plan to take our ethos of ‘designing distinctive beer from scratch’, to Shenzhen, Singapore and hopefully far beyond over the next five years.”
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