The first thing you notice walking up to the restaurant is the abundant outdoor seating.   There’s also plenty of space inside with the club music blaring though I’m sure nobody is there to dance at 630pm.  The menu is just as massive as the restaurant.  Classic bar fare combined with food representing various regions of Asia.  My order:  popcorn chicken, Peking duck pizza, and the beer paddle. 

The paddle lists the name of all seven home brewed beers so the servers don’t have to waste time explaining the contents of each glass.  The cider kicks off the experience as we move on down the paddle and finish off with a chocolaty BrewMaster Dark.  Most of the beers are as basic as the names.  The lone standout is the BrewMaster Local.  Floral and kissed with a touch of sweetness that pairs well with the subtle spiciness of the popcorn chicken.

The popcorn chicken contains actual popcorn!  This is the first time that the much too sweet Shanghai-style popcorn actually serves a purpose.  It’s a good counterbalance to the crispy, crunchy chili peppers that come mixed in with the chicken.

The Peking duck pizza is a letdown.  The duck tastes as if it was cooked the day before, left in the fridge, and reheated in the oven.  The cilantro, perhaps the most hated or loved of herbs, lacks any of the herbal explosion that I so adore.  The crust is crispy enough and the tomato sauce is quite zesty.  However, the bland cheese and duck make the dish a complete afterthought.

Price: 200 RMB per person

Summary: If you have a guest staying at the Kerry Hotel, or you're exhausted from a full day at Century Park and just have a craving for some basic beer and food that’s not offensive, then The Brew is a family-friendly spot worth hitting up.  They have a huge outdoor space, a stage set up for live music, and a friendly staff.  However, be warned! It being part of a hotel, they charge an extra 10% service charge.

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