Hong Kong’s booming craft beer scene goes ‘Insane’ with Heart of Darkness brewery
- Joseph Conrad, cucumber Pilsners and eye-catching artwork – this Vietnamese craft beer brewery is taking Hong Kong by storm
- Former Shenzhen resident and home brewer John Pemberton explains how his time in China helped create a craft beer revolution in Asia
Tasting a new craft beer is always a journey into the unknown. But no brand embodies this more, symbolically and literally, than Vietnam-based brewery Heart of Darkness.
Since launching in 2016, the brand’s success has taken it into seven markets in Asia, including Hong Kong late last year – where it is exclusively distributed by Mosaic Craft Distribution.
Hong Kong’s craft beer scene is taking off, with more than 20 well-established local breweries – many of which were founded in the last five years – and new craft beer tap houses now opening nearly every month.
Heart of Darkness has rapidly picked up a following here. It is now sold in more than 30 outlets including some of Hong Kong’s most popular craft beer bars and top restaurants: The Roundhouse, Coedo Taproom, FAB, Metropolitan, French Flair, Chom Chom, Boilermaker, The Globe, Feather and Bone, 99 Bottles, Rula Bula, Momentai and Deliveroo Food Market.
“We’re constantly innovating,” Heart of Darkness owner Pemberton says. “We just want to keep on pushing it. We’re focused on creating premium craft beer while also exploring distinctive flavours and pushing the boundaries of what can be done. The reaction to this here so far has been phenomenal. The market is also growing fast, and we’re excited to be part of the future of craft in Hong Kong.”
The unusual flavours are one of the brand’s most distinct features.
