Bali needs no introduction when it comes to a sunny haven full of beach days and nights out. As everyone’s tropical paradise and the most go-to places for vacations, people are always on the lookout for refreshment, particularly a cold one (or two!).
When it comes to beers, Bintang and Prost is a classic favorite for both locals and visitors alike. But if you’re the ultimate beer aficionado, or just a curious adventurer who’s always on the lookout for new flavors, bar-hopping to these hop-spots (the puns are intended) might be something you should consider!
To help you in your journey, Bob has curated 8 of Bali’s best beer breweries and taprooms that you can enjoy!
1. IOI Beer
Photo: @ioi.beer on Instagram
Hey, it’s Bali. Of course you need a splash of tropical excitement in your beer!
Enter IOI Beer – a taste of carefree adventure straight from the heart of the island. Short for “Islands of Imagination”, this local craft beer has been widely known for the fresh local produces fused in the products, with ABV ranging from 4.11% to 7.89%.
Take its Salaca Wheat, for instance; a sweet and light wheat beer infused with the tropical salak fruit. Their Padiluwih Lager, on the other hand, is known for its clean finish and subtle sweetness from rice – a refreshing choice that captures the essence of Bali in every sip. Brewed with craftmanship in small batches, each bottle promises quality and flavor.
You can easily spot these vibrant-looking cans at local bars, beach clubs, and even convenience stores in Bali. However, if you’re looking to buy in bulk, their 6-packs and 24-packs are always ready to snatch on IOI Beer’s official website.
2. Black Sand Brewery
Black Sand Brewery via Google Maps
Good beer, good food, good people.
Established in 2019 by Mattia Di Bitonto, this microbrewery is nestled in Batu Bolong, overlooking the Canggu paddies. It is home to 8 signature unfiltered, unpasteurized, non-additive brews; from the German-style Kolsch (ABV: 4.2% IBU: 15), IPA (ABV: 6.3% IBU: 35), to the Island Brewing classic like Summer Pale Ale (ABV: 4.5% IBU: 25). They also serve limited batches of Big Hazy; a juicy, golden, full-bodied tropical beer with a hint of mango, peach and oranges.
Mattia believes that good beers always go well with good food and equally good companies. He joined hands with Angelo Tellini as the executive chef, whipping up delectable yummers like the melt-in-your-mouth 18 hour glazed short ribs.
Their heartful brews converts the non-believers; from bottles to taps, from solitary drinks to collective, hoppy fun.
See more: Bar Crawl Routes in Bali that You Won’t Regret!
3. South+East Brewing
South+East Brewing via Google Maps
If you’re a big believer of more is better, then you’ll feel at home in South+East Brewing! With their extensive curation of 24 local craft beers taps, there’s always something new and exciting to try out here!
Explore the humble Ginger Beer (ABV: 4.9%, IBU: N/A) the dark and bold Barrel Aged Stout with burnt coconut and vanilla notes (ABV: 8%, IBU: 30), or even the Bavarian-stye Salacca Wheat Beer (ABV: 4.1%, IBU: 5) that adds salak fruit during fermentation.
Not sure which one is your poison? Ask away to any of the bartenders to help you make your choice. Embracing its roots, you can enjoy the lively South African braai or garden barbecue every Sunday with a tall glass of cold ones!
4. Stark Craft Beer Garden
Stark Craft Beer Garden via Google Maps
For laid-back bites along with nice tunes, or fun game nights with the boys, Stark Craft Beer Garden is the place to go.
Deemed as one of the pioneers for premium craft beers in Indonesia, Stark Beer is brewed in the northern part of Bali, using only the purest spring water from Batu Karu Mountain. The brand became so popular that you can start to acquire them in bottles from grocery stores.
But we see you, tap-enjoyers! You can indulge in their iconic 1945 Pilsener or Lychee Ale straight from the tap. Don’t forget to order their fall-off-the-bones baby back pork ribs or pork kriuk nachos for the full experience
5. Lola’s Tap Craft Beer Bar
Glenn Scott via Google Maps
When you’re new to the scene, a friendly neighborhood tap bar like Lola’s will surely make you feel welcomed and safe. Tucked in the lively Sanur area, Lola’s serves up to 18 craft beers that are locally brewed in Bali, such as Island Brewing’s Small Haze, as well as everyone’s favorite, Kura-Kura Island Ale!
Should you come to visit, ask them for their own home-brewed cider for a crisp and tangy refreshment. Don’t be shy to ask the owner for snacks pairing, you wouldn’t regret it.
6. Ape Club
via The Bali Bible
Uluwatu gang, rise up!
The new kid in the town is none other than Ape Club who just recently opened their door to the public on September 2nd, 2023. At Ape Club, they brew and serve their own draft beers straight from the tap, from a toasty, sweet-caramel malt undertones of Sunset Ale (4.5% ABV); floral, hoppy Club Nusa Blonde (4.3% ABV); zesty and hop-forward brew of Bored Hazy (4.7% ABV); to their much awaited future release of Ulu IPA (4.5% ABV), a juicy apricot and stone fruit-ish IPA with a clean bitterness.
Along with the tap beers comes delectable goodness, from easy sharing bites like Mexican-style Crispy Baby Crabs with aioli to the surf-and-turf Gobernor Tacos served with lobsters and bone marrow. There’s also plenty of other South American-influenced dishes and cocktails, as well as huge sitting areas to indulge the night away.
7. Shotgun Social
via Shotgun Special
As the name suggests, tap beers at Shotgun Social are better enjoyed with friends and loved ones!
Started as a family restaurant in Sanur since 2020, Shotgun Social grew to be one of the first places that curate and celebrate the best craft beers in Bali. Here, you can enjoy tap beers like Kura-Kura, Island Brewing, and Black Sand; from a 45ml Mini glass to sample each beer in the “Beer Flight” package for you indecisive bunch, to the enormous 1.3L Growler size for sharing.
As this was a communal restaurant at heart, their food choices are also hearty and will surely leave a good note on your belly.
See more: To Love and to Hold: Bali’s Romantic Honeymoon Guide
8. Canard Taproom
via canard.id
“Get fancy!”
That would probably be the first sentence that comes to mind when we’re talking about Canard Taproom. Canard itself was born from two brewery masterminds in a mission to make beers more normalized for women.
With its sleek, lavish old-Hollywood decor, you can try sipping beers straight from the tap with pretty glasses as if you’re a socialite in the 60s. As a microbrewery, Canard pride themselves in quality over quantity, and the taproom is a whole experience itself. Patrons can try out their set menu consisting of three dark/light beers or six beers, along with food pairings for each of the drinks.
If you choose the six beers set menu, you may get a whole meal to yourself. Start off with Strawberry Gose (ABV 3.7%, IBU 9) paired alongside coconut sourdough with seaweed butter, Witbier (ABV 4.8%, IBU 16) paired with tuna tartare, Kölsch (ABV 4.7%, IBU 24) paired with lemon chicken and green olives, Session IPA (ABV 4.7%, IBU 42) paired with beef patty and caprese salad, Porter (ABV 4.8%, IBU 39) paired with chicken liver pâté on a toasted brioche, and lastly, a strong and bold Weizenbock (ABV 9.5%, IBU 30) paired with the dessert that is panna cotta with raspberry coulis.
Rest in the Isle of Tropical Beers
All of those bars above are just a tiny bit of what great beers Bali has to offer. For the full experience, we fully encourage you to explore the nooks and crannies of Bali for places people couldn’t find on a daily basis.
After a series of beer sampling, tasting, and even chugging; nothing gets better than to spend a serene and rejuvenating morning at Bobocabin Kintamani. Lounge around the jacuzzi, go for a bike ride through the jungle, or simply try out the signature Balinese massage.
Picture a nice and hot soak in front of your cabin after a night out. Or better yet, a breakfast above the clouds with views that will drive anyone jealous. Sounds tempting, isn’t it?
So enjoy your day off with us, recharge your energy, and breathe that fresh air. Know that whenever you need to let off some steam, Bobocabin will await you with an open heart.
Header image by: Amie Johnson via Unsplash
Written by: Al Azka Zuraida
