For hundreds of years, monks have been imbibing “liquid bread” during their fasts, and as temperatures rocket close to the big 4-0 and our appetites plummet into the negative regions, there is no easier or more delicious way to replace those pesky sit-down dinners than with a tall cold one. After all, Benjamin Franklin once stated that “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Who are we to argue with the father of electricity? Parched contributor Phoenix Tso hit the blazing hot streets in search of Beijing’s best brews.

El Nido/Bar No. 59 This tiny hutong bar looks like the kind of bunker a beer aficionado might have assembled in preparation for a nuclear holocaust. Inside, it almost looks as if the bomb has already been dropped – dusty racks hold bottles of wine, while a succession of fridges are crammed with beer from all around the world – undoubtedly among Beijing’s best selections of beer. Daily 4pm-last customer leaves. 59 Fangjia Hutong (enter from Andingmennei Dajie), Dongcheng District (8402 9495) 东城区方家胡同59号（丛安定门内 大街往东走20米）

Stumble Inn This bar boasts over 100 bottled brews from around the world, as well as an intimate, romantic atmosphere. Stumble Inn also hosts “Tightarse Thursdays,” when the Beijing International Darts Club battles it out and patrons get their Carlsberg and bottled Tsingtaos for the special prices of 20 and 10 RMB, respectively. Daily 10am- 2am. S3-31, 3/F, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6417 7794) 朝阳区三里 屯路19号三里屯Village南区3号楼 3层S3-31

The Tree Split a 75-cl bottle of Trappist-brewed Chimay Blue Grand Réserve (RMB 110), while a waiter brings a simple yet flavorful Quattro Formaggi pizza your way (RMB 65). Daily noon-2am. 43 Sanlitun Beijie (100m west of Sanlitun North Bar street, Youyi Youth Hostel, behind Poachers Inn), Chaoyang District (6415 9514) 朝阳区三里屯北街以西100米 Poachers后面三里屯医院旁

Great Leap Brewing Great Leap Brewing is already renowned among beer lovers for crafting creative and satisfying drinks from local ingredients. The brews rotate every month. To add to the bargain, all beers cost RMB 25 on Thursday nights. Thu-Sat 5pm-midnight. 6 Doujiao Hutong (from Di’anmenwai Dajie, walk east down Fangzhuanchang Hutong until you hit Doujiao Hutong. Turn right then follow the road round to the left), Dongcheng District (187 1007 7331) 东城区豆角胡同6号

Beer Mania Though one can find a similar selection of Belgian brands at the Tree, Beer Mania boasts a wider international beer selection overall, along with a cozy European pub atmosphere that features rustic wooden tables and benches. Daily 2pm-late. 1/F, Taiyue Fang, Nansanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6585 0786) 朝 阳区南三里屯路泰乐坊1层

The Irish Volunteer Enjoying a Guinness from the tap is mandatory at this venue (RMB 60), with Ireland’s most famous beer logo plastered all over this Lido pub. For alternatives, sample the slightly cheaper draft beers, including a Tetley’s for RMB 50, or a scotch from the pub’s assorted selection of whiskeys. Daily 9am- 2am. 311 Jiangtai Lu (opposite the east gate of the Lido Hotel), Chaoyang District (6438 5581) 朝 阳区高家园小区平房311号(丽都饭 店东门对面)

Paddy O’Shea’s This pub also offers a dependable selection of Irish and other European beers, with the kicker being the opportunity to gulp down pints while participating in Paddy’s famous Wednesday 8pm trivia night. Daily 10am-late. 28 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6415 6389) 朝阳区东直门外大 街28号

Morel’s On tap or in a bottle, Morel’s has one of the largest selections of Belgium beers in Beijing, ranging from your average bottle of Duvel to the prize winning Golden Carolus Triple. 1) Daily 11.30am-1am. Gongti Beilu (opposite Workers’ Gymnasium North Gate, northwest corner of the intersection with Chunxiu Lu), Dongcheng District (6416 8802) 东城区莫劳龙玺西餐, 工体北路 春秀路西北角工人体育馆北门对 面 2) Tue-Sun 11.30am-11.30pm. East block, 27 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (6437 3939) 朝阳区莫劳红玺西餐, 亮马桥路 27号东座1层

Goose’n’Duck In its third incarnation, the Goose ‘n’ Duck continues to go above and beyond with its reputation as Beijing’s premier sports bars. Along with the home-brewed beer and the flat screens TVs tuned to every athletic event imaginable, this venue provides a batting cage, a videogame room, a basketball hoop, and other unexpected features that let you unleash your inner child. Daily 24hrs. S1, Green Lake International Tower (east side of Chaoyang Park), Chaoyang District. (5928 3045) 朝 阳区朝阳公园桥东侧路北观湖国际 大厦1号写字楼首层

Union Bar and Grille Known for its elegant yet unpretentious cuisine and décor, this bar unique American microbrews, all for reasonable prices. We recommend that you try Hawaii’s light and refreshing Big Wave Golden Ale or enjoy one of the city’s best deals on Guinness during the bar’s daily 4-8pm happy hour. Mon-Fri 11am-11pm,Sat-Sun 11am-midnight. S6-31, 3/F, Bldg 6, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District. (6415 9117) 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯 Village南区6号楼3层S6-31

NOLA New Orleans cuisine is meant to be washed down with an ice-cold beer. Indulge yourself this way at NOLA, with Bayou favorite Abita, or another choice from a broad selection of craft beers. Mon-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat- Sun 10.30am-11pm. 11A Xiushui Nanjie, Chaoyang District (8563 6215) 朝阳区秀水南街11号

Drei Kronen 1308 Brauhaus This German microbrewery boasts three signature beers made from a 700-year-old Bavarian recipe: a traditional and honey-sweet lager, a light and crisp wheat beer, and a malty Bavarian dark. The drinks are expensive, but customers get a half-price discount during the 5-7pm daily happy hour. Daily 11am-2am. 1/F, Bldg 5, China View, Gongti Donglu, Chaoyang District (6503 5555) 朝阳区工体东 路中国红街5号楼1层