Craft beer in Beijing is one of the few honest windows into how this city actually changes — who pushes back, who adapts, and what gets created in the process. This isn't a drinking tour. It's a cultural study of modern Beijing, told through the people who brew, pour, and create inside its oldest neighbourhoods.
WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE
· Meet your guide — a Beijinger who grew up in these hutongs behind the high streets. Three venues, each a different chapter.
· An old-school hutong bar where Beijing's craft beer community first took root — the original scene, the original people, the original tension between tradition and something new.
· A wine bar serving Chinese-grown wines from regions most visitors don't associate with winemaking — Yunnan, Ningxia, Xinjiang. A conversation about what China produces when the world isn't paying attention.
· A newer generation brewery built by local creatives shaping Beijing's identity in global beer culture. Finish with a tasting flight.
Between stops, we walk through lived-in hutong streets — where locals cook, shop, and socialise — and eat from neighbourhood vendors. Classic Beijing street food, chosen for the day.
We adjust each route based on what's pouring, what's in season, and what the neighbourhood is doing that day. No fixed itinerary.
This experience covers your guide's time. All drinks, food, and tastings are paid directly to the venues.
WHY THIS TOUR IS DIFFERENT
· Your guide grew up in these hutongs. This is her neighbourhood, her bars, her vendors — not a researched list.
· Each stop is a chapter in a larger storey — how craft beer became an outlet for self-expression in a country that doesn't always encourage it, how Chinese winemakers are quietly building something world-class, and how global ideas get remade inside China.
· The hutongs between stops aren't the restored, tourist-facing versions. They're where people live and work. That's the field study.
THIS TOUR IS FOR YOU IF
· You're curious about modern China beyond the landmarks
· You appreciate good drinks and want to understand what's behind them
· You want access to places and people you wouldn't find alone
· You see travel as cultural exchange, not sightseeing
WHAT WE BELIEVE
· A Day In Beijing was created and run by a born-and-raised Beijinger, to connect our local independent businesses and communities to the world beyond the VPN.
· You pay the breweries, wine bar, and vendors directly for everything you drink and eat. We take zero commission, zero markup.
· We aim to create a conscious and ethical way to travel to this city. Beijing, explained by Beijingers.
· More experiences, cultural context and travelling tips on our Instagram @adayin*beijing if you want to explore the city independently!
PRIVATE EXPERIENCE
Available for couples, friends, corporate groups, and special events. Routes, pacing, and drink selection tailored to your group. Message us before booking to customise.
