Hophead

Like many of you, Shanghaiist spent the Spring Festival holiday alone in our apartment, drinking to ease the unbearable pain of being enjoying a malt beverage. Or two. Having a preference for hopped-up beverages, Shanghaiist is pleased to report the following alternatives to the formaldehyde-enhanced, flavorless, pilsner-style local product:

• Fiddler’s Elbow. Hoppy, clean English ale. Available at City Super’s Shanghai Center location. Relatively expensive at 35 RMB/500ml.
• Sam Adams. American beer, slightly heavier than Fiddler’s Elbow. The Freshmart in the basement of the Jiuguang Plaza [久光], Jing'an Temple Station has it for 12.2RMB/12 oz. The supermarket in the basement of Westgate Mall [梅龙镇广场] has it for 11.5RMB/bottle. The cheaper stuff at Westgate actually tasted slightly fresher.
• Adnams Broadside Strong . The heaviest of the three, although still lighter than Guinness. 24RMB/500mL at the Lianhua Supermarket in the basement of the Grand Gateway Mall, Xujiahui, or 23RMB/500mL at the Freshmart, listed above.

Now if we can just get some Anderson Valley up in here ...

Photo from hops.co.uk.