Taihu Brewing – Taichung

Taihu Brewing's Taichung taproom — locally known as Chuoyinshi (啜飲室), which translates roughly as a place to sip and savour — occupies a beautifully renovated former government housing complex in Taichung's West District, a short walk from the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. The space is exactly what you'd hope for from Taiwan's most successful craft brewery: rustic brick walls, warm lighting, a rooftop terrace with a 'Back to the Taihu' neon sign, and 20 well-maintained taps pouring the brewery's full rotating range.

Taihu's Taichung operation typically runs 15 house taps featuring the brewery's most popular creations — the award-winning IPA, hazy wheats, experimental fruit beers, and seasonal releases — plus five rotating taps dedicated to quality American and international craft imports. The food menu is focused and well-executed: smash burgers, chicken stacks, fries, and nachos. Simple, honest bar food done properly, which pairs well with a long session of rotating pints.

The bar staff are Level 1 Cicerone certified, which means they can talk you through the differences between Taihu's many styles and help you find something you'll enjoy. The atmosphere is lively on weekend evenings and relaxed on weekdays, with the rooftop terrace particularly popular during warm-weather evenings. One of the best reasons to spend an evening in Taichung's West District.