OVERVIEW
Craft beer in Beijing isn’t just about drinking.
It’s one of the few windows into understanding how the city is actually evolving.
Behind unmarked doors in the hutongs, brewers, artists, and entrepreneurs are quietly reshaping what modern Beijing looks like.
WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE:
Travelling through hidden hutong alleyways most visitors never step into, stopping at three independent breweries, each representing a different chapter of Beijing’s underground scene. We intentionally adjust each route based on beer availability, seasonal changes, and local conditions, so you’re not following a fixed itinerary, but experiencing Beijing in real time.
- Start inside a chaotic, old-school hutong bar where Beijing’s early craft beer community first took shape
- Walk through lived-in neighbourhoods, not tourist streets—where locals still cook, shop, and socialise
- Try two classic Beijing street snacks from vendors you wouldn’t notice on your own
- Step into a newer generation brewery shaped by local creatives redefining the city
- End at a modern craft brewery with a curated tasting flight, exploring how Beijing is developing its own voice in global beer culture
WHY IS THIS DIFFERENT:
Not a pub crawl, but a cultural experience
Each stop reveals something new: how the underground culture evolves over time, how different generations of people respond to changes, how craft beer becomes an outlet to express themselves, and how global ideas are adapted within China.
Hutongs beyond the polished version
Most visitors see restored, curated alleyways. We walk through the ones where life is still happening, messy, real, and evolving.
Local access, not surface-level guiding
Led by locals who grew up in Beijing, this isn’t just translation, it’s context. This isn’t about seeing Beijing. It’s about understanding what’s changing beneath the surface. It's about understanding the Beijing people.
Small group, real conversations
Limited to 6–8 people. No flags, no scripts, no rushing. Just space to ask, talk, and actually connect.
WE ARE FOR YOU IF:
- You’re curious about modern China beyond landmarks
- You value depth over box-ticking
- You want access to places you wouldn’t find alone
- You prefer to understand a city through experience, not explanation
PRIVATE EXPRIENCE OPTION:
- A more intimate version of the experience, with flexible pace and focus tailored to your group
- Deeper conversation and customisation based on your interests
- Ideal for couples, friends, families or small groups
- Message us to customise to tailor the experience to your preferences, pace, and group.
OUR PURPOSE AT A DAY IN BEIJING
We put supporting independent businesses and giving back to local communities at the heart of everything we do. We do not take markups or surcharges. You will pay the vendors directly for drinks and food, and we only charge an experience curation fee.
