LG HomeBrew: Brew your own craft beers with this innovative gadget

It’s no secret that the world is experience something of a craft beer renaissance at the moment, with the industry netting US$26 billion in the US in 2017 alone. Hong Kong has also experienced a surge in craft beer connoisseurship, as we learnt from Heroes Beer Co founder Christopher Wong here. Building on this burgeoning interest, renowned electronics giant LG has introduced a new do-it-yourself appliance to help you create your own brews at home – the LG HomeBrew.

Introduced late last year, this kitchen appliance is perfect for those who’re in the mood for a little beverage experimentation. Utilising a design popularised by coffeemaker Nespresso, the LG HomeBrew encompasses an efficient and convenient capsule system, additionally fitted self-cleaning capabilities and a companion app that allows you to track your beverages-to-be as it’s being made.

Each beer batch can be crafted using a set of single-use capsules – containing malt, yeast, hops oil and flavouring – which are then automatically fermented, carbonated and aged in two weeks. To date, there are five available flavours to tickle your taste buds with: American Pale Ale, American IPA, English Stout, Czech Pilsner and Belgian-style Witbier.

“LG HomeBrew is the culmination of years of home appliance and water purification technologies that we have developed over the decades,” said Song Dae-hyun, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “Homebrewing has grown at an explosive pace but there are still many beer lovers who haven’t taken the jump because of the barrier to entry and these are the consumers we think will be attracted to LG HomeBrew.”

Christopher Wong: Our interview with HK’s go-to craft beer guru

Christopher Wong gave up a promising accounting career to pursue his passion for beer. Now he is the head brewer for Hitachino HK Brewery, has co-founded HK Brewcraft and Heroes Beer Co, and stands at the frontier of Hong Kong’s burgeoning craft beer scene…

Where was your love of craft beer kindled?

Growing up, I’d always enjoyed the occasional drink with my family, but I only really and truly became enamoured with beer while I was in San Francisco working as an accountant after graduating from university. My Damascene moment came when I was introduced to a beer called Anchor Steam, which really kicked off the whole craft beer scene in the US. It completely changed my view of what a beer could be, inspiring me to take up home brewing myself.

How did your first experiments go?

Well, around the time I wanted to start experimenting with home brewing, I first heard about SF Brewcraft, one of San Francisco’s most-well known beer stores, run – at the time – by Griz, a sort of Santa Claus character. The first time I walked in, I told him I wanted to brew something like Corona, one of the most popular Mexican beers. Suffice to say, he was not impressed. Instead, he scribbled something on a sheet of paper – which I still have – and that was the recipe for Lawnmower Beer. I loved it so much that my business – HK Brewcraft – is named after Griz’s original outlet.

What finally made you decide to bring that concept to Hong Kong?

When I met my then-wife-to-be at a wedding in Hong Kong. I decided to move here full time, switching from my company’s San Francisco operation to its Hong Kong office. Once here, I completely changed industries and decided to head up a restaurant in Tin Hau called Kin’s Terrace. Working there meant my nights were focused on my cheffing duties, leaving the daytime free for me to focus on my home brewing, which was becoming more than just a hobby.

It was around then – in 2013 – that, realising there was no proper home brew store in Hong Kong, a group of friends and I decided to launch one. We wanted it to be a place where you could buy everything from malt and hops to actual brewing equipment, while also finding out just how to properly brew beer at home – and that is how HKBrewcraft was born. Just a few months after our first small Tin Hau outlet opened, the level of demand gave us the confidence to open a far bigger store in Central. And we’ve never looked back.

Your beer interests have broadened since then…

Definitely. Right now, I’m in charge of making beer on several different fronts. Firstly – and most obviously – there is HK Brewcraft. As well as being a home brew supplier, it also operates as an independent nanobrewery, which also doubles as a training academy for would-be home brewers. There’s also my main nine-to-five job – head brewer at the Hitachino HK Brewery, a Japanese company best-known for the Nest Beer brand.

Then there’s the Heroes Beer Co, my latest venture. It’s a very interesting idea and it’s based on the notion that everyone can be a beer superstar, a concept that is reflected in our tagline: “Unleash the hero within”. Part of our USP is that every Heroes’ beer has been inspired by a real person. Our Hunk Sir Milfee Porter, for instance, takes its name from a home brewer who was notorious for experimenting with unusual combinations. Essentially, it’s a lactose-infused brew that tastes a little like cha chaan teng milk tea.

How do you think Hong Kong’s craft beer scene has evolved over recent years?

Well, 2013 was something of a turning point for the sector. For one thing, it was the year when several of the people now seen as key players first met. That includes the crew behind Young Master Brewery, the folks at The Globe – the headquarters of the Craft Beer Association of Hong Kong – and, of course, the HK Brewcraft team. Alongside several of the more dedicated local importers, we collectively pushed to increase the range of craft beers available in the city, while also raising their profile among the local population. In addition, of course, there is Beertopia, Hong Kong’s very own beer festival. As a result of all this activity, the city’s become Asia’s fastest-growing craft beer hub.

Do you have a personal favourite beer?

Oh yes. For me, Anchor Steam is really something special. It’s the beer that started me on my home brewing journey and got me where I am today. Another beer close to my heart is Seriously, Heroes Beer Co’s debut brew. It takes its inspiration from old-fashioned, no-nonsense, bone-dry American Indian Pale Ale and I absolutely love it.

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup
Photos: Neville Lee
Art Direction & Styling: San Wong
Venue: Second Draft
Wardrobe: COS & Suitsupply

Restaurant review: With wholesome Cali cuisine, Big Sur brings a slice of California to Central

The moment you enter Big Sur, you’d be forgiven if you thought you had accidentally landed in a barbecue joint right in the middle of sunny California! From its blue and blonde timber interiors to the signature Californian bear head sculpture at the entrance, Big Sur resembles a traditional Californian diner even before you take a look at the menu!

Big Sur offers 14 different types of craft beer

What draws you in at this newly opened restobar at SoHo is not just its warm interiors, but also the rows and rows of beer taps – 15 to be exact – located strategically near the entrance! That’s right, Big Sur boasts 15 different taps that serve 14 rotating craft beers, created by Hong Kong’s Young Master Brewery, as well as a tap-served gin and tonic.

Look out for unusual brews like Orange is the New Black, a decadent limited-edition release with ‘roasty’ coffee notes and Fake Juice, a fruity IPA that’s perfect for spring.

If cocktails are your preferred poison, head to Big Sur’s cocktail section. You may be pleasantly surprised to find your favourite cocktails being given a healthy makeover with fair-trade craft spirits and fresh-pressed fruit juice. The only loophole? You may end up quite tipsy as these ‘guiltless’ tipples taste more like juice and less like alcohol, coaxing you to drink more than you otherwise would! We speak from experience…

Big Sur’s mixed BBQ plate is soul-fulfilling

To match the well-stocked bar, Big Sur offers a wholesome menu to boot. Executive Chef Conor Beach draws from his American heritage to plate up a contemporary barbecue cuisine in typical Cali style, with a healthy dose of Latino fare to match. We were particularly impressed by the Baja Taco (HK$50 each) and the Whole BBQ Fish (HK$290), which combined hearty and healthy in a sumptuous duet.

For the dessertarians in the house, we’d recommend the Texas ‘Sheet’ Stack Cake (HK$90), a wholly decadent affair in chocolate cake, dark chocolate glaze, pecans, walnuts and pistachios, topped with whipped cream.

Oh, and did we mention that Big Sur doubles up as a breakfast and lunch destination for office-goers and the weekend crowd alike? In other words, whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, Big Sur’s doors are always open for you from 9am till late.

For reservations, call (852) 2529 3001 or click here.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay