Surfer Brewery

Surfer Brewery (浪人酒造) is one of Kaohsiung's most beloved local craft beer institutions — a small, no-frills taproom run by brewer Michael Tsai (Micheal, known to regulars as Maiko), a surfer and racer who brought an adventurous spirit to his brewing from the moment he founded the venture. The taproom sits on Xintian Road in Xinxing District, a convenient central Kaohsiung location just a short walk from the MRT.

The bar is compact — a handful of tables, a counter with tap handles, and a relaxed, convivial atmosphere that draws a mix of local craft beer enthusiasts, expats, and international beer travellers who have tracked down Maiko's taproom via Untappd or word of mouth. At any given time, up to 12 taps pour an entirely self-brewed lineup: IPAs, session ales, dark beers, wheats, and experimental one-offs that reflect Maiko's willingness to push boundaries. Taiwan's first hand-pump installation lives here — used to serve an English-style IPA that is a nod to the age-of-sail era. Complementary snacks come with the beers, and Japanese-language menus are provided for the many Japanese visitors who make this a pilgrimage destination.

Surfer Brewery entered competition at the 2018 International Beer Cup in Yokohama and returned with a bronze medal, cementing its reputation beyond local circles. The brewery facility itself is in Gangshan District north of the city, while the taproom in Xinxing remains the place to meet the team, taste the range fresh off the line, and experience Kaohsiung's scrappy, passionate independent craft brewing scene at its best.