Late-night bars in Taipei: A rotation of 20 craft beers

Text & photos /Excerpted from "Private Tasting Moments Late at Night" by Yang Zihui, published by Times Publishing

I’ve never been much of a beer fan. If you’d asked me what I usually drink with my meals, wine would have been my standard answer. But that all changed in the spring of 2014 during a business trip to the Czech Republic, where the theme of my interviews was beer. Day and night, I sipped on aromatic brews and have since been immersed in a sea of beer foam. I believe a lack of strong preference for something often stems from not knowing enough about it. That trip—visiting hop farms, breweries, and ancient monasteries that have brewed beer since the Middle Ages—opened my eyes to the captivating charm of this globally beloved beverage.

● ETtoday News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive.

Back then, our group included food and travel journalists from Canada, Mexico, Italy, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, and more—a veritable international brigade. We visited numerous local craft breweries, even drinking beer for breakfast, starting as early as 10 a.m. We drank to our hearts' content, feeling exhilarated and lightheaded. But it also completely changed my view of beer. It’s not just an alcoholic drink or party beverage; fresh craft beer, rich in vitamins, is also a source of connection and wellness.

In just a few short days, I developed a habit of craving bubbles and the aroma of hops. After returning to Taiwan, I began sampling various craft beers. Unfortunately, most craft beers imported to Taiwan come in bottles or cans. While they satisfied my cravings, I still longed for freshly tapped draft beer, or even unfiltered, unpasteurized draft beer.

In 2015, my wish was finally granted. Sip Room—what a perfectly fitting name. “Sip” is akin to the Taiwanese Hokkien word “食一下” (eat a little), and those truly passionate about beer flavor don’t just want to gulp it down; they want to savor its esters and aftertaste. “Sipping” is the most fitting way, like a bee drawing nectar. This is a place where you can truly enjoy beer. The walls are simply adorned with artwork, making it a space that combines a gallery with beer.

There aren’t many chairs inside, with a communal table in the center. Everyone stands around it, casually resting their elbows on the tabletop, feeling relaxed and at ease. My ideal social space would be just like this. With the intoxicating drinks in front of you, it’s easy to open up and chat with strangers. Beer is the star here, so it makes sense that no meals are served. Still, the owners are thoughtful, offering simple snacks—smoked cured meat platters and edamame. Simple and unobtrusive, they actually highlight the unique personalities of the main attraction.

The edamame is marinated in Japan’s Yo-Ho Brewing’s “インドの青鬼” (Aooni India Pale Ale), which is also sold here. The normally mild and plain edamame gains a bitter, bold richness and mellow sweetness from the beer. On one trip to Yokohama on business, I picked up a can of this beer to keep me company while pulling an all-nighter writing. The moment I took a sip, my taste buds were hijacked. Its full body, deep bitterness, and strong malt flavors made it a beer as bold and powerful as a man.

Sip Room offers 20 tap beers daily, rotating between local Taiwanese craft brews and global imports. A chalkboard above the bar tells you what’s available that day. Most staff members hold beer sommelier certifications. Whether you’re looking for something floral and strong, or high in alcohol… just describe your preferences, and the sommelier will recommend the right beer.

Unlike foreign beer bars that pair each beer with a specific glass, Sip Room serves all its beers in 340ml brandy snifters. Just like the sleek and tidy space, the branded snifters featuring the Republic of Formosa’s tiger emblem are meticulously chosen. The inward-tapered mouth of the brandy snifter concentrates the aroma, allowing you to fully appreciate the fragrance. Swirling the glass mixes the delicate foam into the golden, amber, and caramel-hued liquids, creating a stunningly beautiful effect like sprinkled gold dust. Drinking beer here can be a refined and elegant experience, nothing crude about it.

Each visit, I always order several different beers to share with friends. Taiwan’s own 55th Street Fresh IPA, with its orange-red amber hue, bursts with citrus and toasted bread aromas. San Francisco’s Speakeasy classic Prohibition Ale enchants with its rich, bold hop scent, transporting you to the unrestrained glamor of the 1920s. Californian Heretic, Northern Taiwan Beer, Japanese Hitachino, and others—we all immersed ourselves in a wonderful sea of beer.

The owner told me they plan to open a new location in Xinyi District, featuring a spacious outdoor area. As someone who loves beer, I’m thrilled to see this craft beer revolution in Taiwan. I can’t help but imagine the beautiful scenes of enjoying cool beer under the summer night sky or during an autumn afternoon, as blissfully tipsy as basking in the warm May sun of Prague.

● ETtoday News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive.

#DATA
Sip Room
HOURS Mon–Fri 5:00 PM–11:00 PM, Sat–Sun 5:00 PM–11:30 PM
ADDRESS No. 14, Lane 5, Alley 107, Section 1, Fuxing South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
TEL 02-8773-9001

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