Asia’s first and only infusion beer lab, Alchemist Beer Lab, officially launched at South Beach last month. Conceived by the same team behind microbrewery-pub Little Island Brewing Co. located at Changi Village, Alchemist Beer Lab features a proud display of 16
visually stunning and technically advanced beer infusion towers to offer a wide variety of infused beers.
With the recent boom in the local beer scene, beer drinkers have become more discerning about the type of beers they enjoy. Alchemist Beer Lab is guaranteed to bring seekers on
an enhanced experimental libation journey with its infused beer concoctions.
“Events such as Beerfest Asia and the Craft Singapore Festival draw crowds of beer connoisseurs and lovers alike,” says Francis Khoo, Managing Director of Alchemist Beer Lab and Little Island Brewing Co. “Leveraging our experience in running Little Island Brewing Co. to provide high quality brews and employing the beer infusion towers’ technologically advanced systems, accompanied by a succinct food menu, we aim to create an elevated drinking and dining experience for the new generation of customers at Alchemist Beer Lab,” he adds.
An enchanting libation experience
Alchemist Beer Lab is the first beer infusion bar in Asia to house a grand total of 16 sleek and state-of-the-art towers. While infusing beer is by no means a new process to beer makers, the beer infusion towers at Alchemist Beer Lab utilise a progressive and cutting edge system that allows brewers to introduce any type of ingredients into their infusions with optimal flavour extraction and fresh results. At Alchemist Beer Lab, two kinds of systems from Poland and the United States of America are used; one holding up to one-litre of beverage, and the other with a capacity of three-litres.
Traditionally, beer-brewing entails cooking of ingredients such as hops and malted barley at high heat ranging between 80 to 100 degrees Celsius. This is done firstly to extract sugars from malted barley, and second, to extract oils and flavours from hops. However, with extended high heat, certain flavours from ingredients can be destroyed. In contrast, extraction of flavours via the infusion beer tower creates instantaneous results and guarantees an additional depth to the drink’s flavour profile.
With the infusion beer tower, ingredients are first placed into the fusion chamber, followed by the release of compressed gas, before the beer is injected into the tower. This process helps in maximising flavour extraction from the ingredients to produce surprising and delightful twists to the beer.
Head Bartender of Alchemist Beer Lab, Barnaby Murdoch, says, “The possibilities are immense – we can infuse any type of ingredients, such as botanicals, fruits, nuts, spices and even coffee and chocolate into our draft beer to create fresh and unique taste profiles. We are excited to experiment with endless combinations of flavours, enhancing our brewed beer to offer a life-changing drinking experience for beer enthusiasts.”
The draft beers used as infusion bases will all be methodically brewed at the Little Island Brewing Co. by the Brew Master of Little Island Brewing Co. and Alchemist Beer Lab, Steve Spinney; a notable expert on beer in Asia, and winner of three consecutive Gold Awards at the Asian Beer Competition for his “Storm Beer” creation.
Currently, out of the 16 infusion towers, eight taps consist of draft beer from Little Island Brewing Co., including the “Sister Golden Ale” and “Singapore Pale Ale”, both with light and refreshing taste profiles; as well as “That Old Black Magic”, a dry Irish nitro stout which clinched a Gold Medal at the 2016 Asia Beer Awards. Other well-loved flavours available also include sweet and semi-dry ciders, as well as red and white wines.
Not set with a fixed line-up of infused beer options, the remaining eight towers feature experimental and funky flavours that include a dry Irish stout infused with marshmallows, vanilla pod and mint leaves; ale infused with grilled pineapple and anise; and pale ale infused with rosemary. Beers in each tower will be refreshed regularly – at least once every week – so as to continuously offer guests a selection of innovatively infused beer on tap, satisfying every drinker’s demands of an exceptional drink.
A sleek and sophisticated ambience: bask in the magical
Drawing inspiration from its namesake, Alchemist Beer Lab turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. Designed by architectural firm Akira Kita Architecture, also the team behind the design concepts of Esquina and Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House, Alchemist Beer Lab’s interior is decorated in a sleek and muted colour palette of grey, coppery-gold and brown marble, accented with wood elements to emulate an experience of medieval times.
Stepping into the bar, one is greeted with a nine-metre high ceiling, half-vaulted with coppery-gold wallpaper, not unlike the awe-inspiring sacred spaces of European temples and monasteries where alchemy was practised in the past. Three mid-century modernist glass pendant lamps specially sourced from Tom Dixon also light up the central space and magnify the entire height of the bar – giving the illusion of an expanded space. Meanwhile, a long Saint Laurent marble kitchen counter stands in the centre of the bar, encouraging an intimate and communal dining and drinking experience. Outdoor seating is also available for imbibers and diners who love an alfresco option.
Located within South Beach Avenue on the basement floor – the retail component of the South Beach development – the bar is also easily accessible from Exit A of Esplanade MRT station.
A delicately prepared menu of hearty fare, served tapas style
The kitchen is helmed by Executive Chef, John Edwards, who has thoughtfully conceived a Modern-European tapas-style menu to accompany the extensive array of drink options. For a night of culinary satisfaction, diners may choose to indulge on the following dishes :
- Slow Cooked Pork Cheeks
paired with a delectable combination of tangy and sweet red cabbage, a dollop of yogurt drizzled with cabernet syrup, topped off with crispy pig’s ears
- Duck Fat Chips
A hearty and indulgent snack sprinkled with chipotle salt and preserved lemon aioli
- Ceviche of Goldband Snapper
A mouth-watering bite of fresh fish with zesty lime, chopped coriander, and a sharp hot sauce jelly
Alternatively, those looking for a light bite to go with their beers may relish in a selection of snacks, including their Warm Kalamata Olives with lemon, garlic and chilli, and Pork scratchings with fennel salt, as well as the Charcuterie and Cheese platters.
Set Lunch Promotion
From 12pm to 3pm on Mondays to Saturdays, enjoy the Set Lunch promotion at SGD15.90, which comes with a cup of coffee or tea. Fuss-free, flavourful and filling dishes such as the Steak Sandwich with meaty grilled porterhouse, refreshing rocket pesto and luscious Brie cheese, as well as their Potato Gnocchi with sweet roasted pumpkin, crunchy pine nuts and burnt butter will be served.
For more information on upcoming promotions, visit their Facebook page, or follow them on Instagram.
