Charlie's Beer Garden X Great Leap Brewing: Craft Beer, Pizza & More (Closed)

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Charlie’s, beloved purveyor of burgers and shakes, has just opened Charlie’s Beer Garden, an upgraded version of Charlie's in a joint collaboration with Beijing craft beer brand Great Leap Brewing.

Located in Jing'an, Charlie's Beer Garden has 10-14 craft beers from Great Leap on draft at any given time, plus launches of new brews. Beers start at ¥35 for a pint, excellent pricing for craft beer.

Hidden Noble IPA (4.7% ABV, ¥50), Banana Wheat (4.2% ABV, ¥45), East City Porter (5.2% ABV, ¥45)

This Charlie’s serves a “test kitchen” menu, which features Cantonese food and pizzas, in addition to all the Charlie’s staples. The space also has an epic rooftop for al fresco eating and drinking.

The Space

Charlie’s Beer Garden is located within the City Oasis complex on Wuding Lu. You’ll see the sign for 1101 Wuding Lu outside—just head all the way into the lane.

It’s a three-story building with plenty of seating on the first floor, as well as a small outdoor area in front; the second floor is the kitchen.

First floor

The rooftop is going to be the destination. It’s a huge, open-air space that accommodates more than 100 people. There’s also a bar fitted with taps to better expedite the beer drinking.

Rooftop beer garden

The Food

In addition to the burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes, Charlie’s Beer Garden serves dishes that no other Charlie’s has. The "Test Kitchen” menu includes Cantonese dishes and Cantonese BBQ like crispy pork and char siu, which make for great beer snacks.

It is also the debut of Charlie’s pizzas, which are excellent! There are 15 different pizzas on the menu. The pizzas have a great crust—airy, pliable, and with a chew—and have a wide variety of flavors/toppings from mac & cheese to Tom Yum. (Personally, I favor the ones with Southeast Asian flavors.) Soon to feature will be “test” dishes, whereby founder Charles will turn his new ideas into reality.

Here’s what to order at Charlie’s Beer Garden:

Char Siu (¥88) – A large serving of thick-cut Chinese barbecued pork. These chunky bites of heaven are coated in a caramelized sweet-savory sauce of five spice, Hoisin, and soy sauce. It’s served over boiled peanuts, which are also soaked in the addictive sauce.

Crispy Pork Belly (¥88) – There isn’t a better beer snack than crispy pork belly. Seasoned in five spice, these golden nuggets have a shatteringly crisp skin that’s just oh-so satisfying. Dip them into the mustard to cut the richness.

Chinese Fried Chicken (¥78) – Another crispy-skinned treat. Half a chicken marinated in soy sauce, roasted to perfection. Served with a sweet chili sauce. Order a side of white rice (¥5) to go with this.

Canton Fried Rice (¥42) – If white rice is too basic, there’s also this. Fried rice imbued with wok hei, tossed together with sweet cured sausage, chives, and egg, topped with plump shrimp. It’s just as good a hangover cure as the Charlie’s burgers.

As for the pizzas, I can say with absolutely certainty that Charlie's has done a marvelous job in creating a great product. Pizzas are available in two sizes, large (40 x 15cm) and mini (9-inch). And for some, you can even choose the sauce base, which includes options of tomato, pesto, and roasted garlic cream.

Pepperoni Pizza (¥75/large) – Can't have pizzas on the menu without the staples. Pepperoni, cheese, and basil on tomato base, topped with red onion and arugula.

Tom Yum Pizza (¥95/large) – The classics are good and all, but it doesn’t match up to this pizza. The Tom Yum packs a ton of flavors into a slice, and you can distinctly taste the aromatics and spices. It’s topped with shrimp, mushrooms, and lightly pickled red chilies. FYI, the chilies are more fragrant than spicy.

Butter Chicken Pizza (¥65/mini) – The butter chicken is also great, though, it taste more “curry chicken” than “butter chicken” to me. Shredded chicken in a mildly spicy base with juicy cherry tomatoes and pickled red peppers.

They also have a happy hour, starting from March 12. Every Monday to Friday from 2-8pm, get any mini 9-inch pizza and two glasses of Great Leap craft beer for ¥100. After March, they’ll be locking in selected flavors of pizza/beer instead of giving you the run of the menu.

Two beers and a mini pizza for ¥100 during happy hour.

Super Dog (¥42) – Those are all good for washing down with beer, but sometimes, you just want something classic like a hotdog. This one comes with topped sauerkraut, ketchup, and mustard.

There are also 8 different flavors of wings on the menu, drumlets (¥35) or mid wings (¥55), six a piece. Pictured above are the buffalo wings.

Tater Tots (¥28) – There are also a ton of sides aka snacks like these tater tots, as well as chicken tenders, and fries in nearly a dozen forms and flavors.

They also have usual spiked (¥55) and regular milkshakes (¥45), basic cocktails, soft drinks, and other bottled beers.

And if you didn't already know, all Charlie’s locations are dog-friendly, inside and outside. On the rooftop, they have little hooks on the walls for you to leash your dog, and they also have dog treats on the menu.

Charlie's dog treats (dog not included)

It's a great new spot in an already busy part of town. The highlight is definitely the rooftop terrace and the ease of access to craft beers from Great Leap.

Here's an additional beer deal for you: Receive five coupons of 20% off Great Leap beers when you register via the Charlie's mini-program. Only for new members; more information available in-store.

Grand Opening Party

Charlie’s Beer Garden in collaboration with Great Leap Brewery is throwing an opening party on March 12, Saturday. Early-bird is ¥100, which gets you three Great Leap beers and one hotdog. Tickets at the door are also ¥100, but only gets you the three beers.

Scan the QR Code in the poster to get your tickets!

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Charlie's Beer Garden
Address: 1101 Wuding Lu (inside City Oasis), near Yanping Lu 武定路1101号, 近延平路
Tel: 52667662
Hours: 11am-11pm