I understand that a micro brewery usually has its own acquired, signature taste for its beer selection. And I have no problem with Boxing Cat's beers being so bitter, however they should provide at least one option amongst their 10+ types of beer that isn't so... bitter.

The Cat's beer is far from bad, but I've tried most of their blends and I haven't tasted a single one that doesn't have the same bitter bite. I love beer and I've been to countless micro breweries around the world, but to me that comes across as a bit of laziness on the brewer's behalf.

Boxing Cat is a nice place to go with your mates after a long day's work. But if they showed just a bit more passion for their own beer, it would make for a much better and enjoyable experience.

Seeing as I visit boxing cat about twice a month- the recent negative review reminded me I needed to give my 2 cents on one of my favorite places in shanghai.

Ill mostly comment on the food-

First off I really love the beer bread they serve at the beginning of your meal. Every time I go I forget about it until its on my table and the second its set down I'm pleasantly surprised, and instantly reminded of how much I like it. As far as the menu goes, I pretty much stick to the Pulled Pork Sandwich or the Burger. Sometimes the pork has been doused with too much sauce, yes its possible to be too juicy. Ive found the key is to take the pork off the sandwich bread and remove all my fries off the plate as soon as its arrived to prevent anything becoming soggy. Then eat the Pork like fajitas- taking a bite of the meat the separately eating the bread. Aside from that most every entree I've eaten here has actually been well seasoned, though a bit heavy being southern food.

You might ask yourself, Isnt this a lot of work for a meal your paying for and all these things should have been considered? Well, yes, but this is also Shanghai, were beggers cant be choosers. Expats need to remember that we are not in our home countries and we need to get off our high horses. If youre eating at a pub, dont hold it to some unrealistic standard of service and excellence. This leads me to boxing cats service. It is very standard for a restaurant in shanghai. Its not amazing by any means but its also not painful like most places here.

In America, this would be an average restaurant, in Shanghai, Ill pay a bit high prices for food I dont feel like making myself at home. Its consistent, tasty, and for some reason has a better atmosphere then blue frog or malones.

Lastly, to be honestly- Im not crazy about the beers they brew here, though I was quite found of the unlimited iced tea. After something like 8 glasses a few visits ago- I saw it taken off the menu. Being from the south we drink tea, a lot of unlimited free refill iced tea. From what I've read, the owner is also southern, and should understand the importance of keeping this item on the menu. I understand everything costs the restaurant money, but instead of giving me some small trendy glass that youd find at glamour bar, give me the 1.5L texas sized plastic up. With the money you save one glasses, youd be able to keep this tea on the menu.

Keep up the good work boxing cat!

I'm Australian you know. Australian's love beer. Its like the beverage of all Aussies. Sure we love wine and we have some pretty good stuf too. But as we are the walking definitions of 'casual'there is nothing better than chilling with your friends and drinking cold beer after a hot day at the beach. I'm a girl but I dig beer. I appreciate it like all Australian's. Sure it doesn't help my stomach situation but its a natural, its in my blood and bones. beer. So when I heard that the boxing cat was the first micro brewery in Shanghai I got excited.

Firstly Boxing Cat yeah you have nice marketing and branding, consistent, simple, nice and the interiors their warm chilled and clean. Your name: awesome. Your beer: sweet. But like all businesses its always imperative that every single facet is covered. Otherwise you just don't cut it. The ability to cover every single facet of a restaurant and business in general is what separates the best from the average and is what keeps the customers coming back.

I visited BC the other day with two of my friends all of us have the same thing in common. We've worked in hospitality for quite a while. Hey even one of them is swiss trained so we're all passionate about this. It started off fine, friendly welcome, sit down look at the menu. Ok first, mmm your prices slightly high for a 'pub' but hey I'm guessing that the food must be good. The first sign we knew something was wrong was when no one asked us what we wanted to drink and then after my chinese friend shouting out 'fuwuyuan' and then it taking 5 minutes to order our drinks which no offense were just the soft stuf. We were then equally disappointed when she returned having then to explain the difference between ginger ale and ginger beer.
Errr FAIL.

We then we're like 'ok its cool we respect this restaurant group lets just order' and then another bad sign. Writting down on paper, leaning all over us, the duration was 15 minutes later. Dude don't hire people who can't speak english when you are marketing it for the expat industry. It was like this long dragged out death and at one point my friend speaking indirectly murmurs 'this is ridiculous'and the waitress then goes 'MAYBE YOU SHOULD LEAVE'. That was the killing point and we walked out.

Look I'm down for giving people a chance and especially if they are new staff. But if you don't train people how can you business work effectively. You can go to places have average food but excellent service and still be happy. You show me this great location, you hear good things and then something slips. Honestly as us Australian's would say 'NOT HAPPY JAN'.(for all you non australians: google)

Anyway after that we all wanted to definitely box someone in the face. I hope someone knocks some sense into the management.