Foam party

After being blown away by the taste of Orval—a beer produced in limited quantity from a Trappist brewery—in Belgium, hop fanatic Roland Utama was disappointed that he could not find the same elixir in Singapore. Plus, there was a glut of wine retail joints but not enough craft beer shops, so he decided to do something about it, setting up Thirsty – The Beer Shop in Liang Court. Beers, he says, should deserve the same appreciation and respect accorded to fine wines and spirits. Hopheads should check out saison beers (traditional summer refreshers that used to be brewed during winter by farm workers in Europe) like the blonde Bons Voeux ($13.90) from Brasserie Dupont. There are also little known guzzlers like the fruity Nøgne ø ales (from $12.90) from Norway, and the strong San Biagio ($12.90) from Italy. For the time being, you can drink in-store at one of its few tables, but Utama has plans to open a craft beer bar.
#02-34 Liang Court. 177 River Valley Road. Tel: 8421 7789

Excerpt from the December issue of epicure.