You probably know of Archipelago Brewery as the craft brewing arm of the massive Asia Pacific Breweries (which also supplies Tiger, Heineken, Anchor and ABC Beer). The brewery’s branding plays strongly into a “Singaporean-ness” with the tagline “Singapore’s craft brewery”. Their selection of fairly affordable craft beers has been commonly seen in higher end taprooms around the island.

You may not know, however, that the Archipelago Brewery name has actually been around since before World War II, and has German, Dutch and Indonesian connections. It even once had a brush with the company behind Asahi and Sapporo beer.

The pre-2000s history of Archipelago Brewery is a fascinating one, which you should definitely check out here.

Today, we’re doing a comprehensive review of all of Archipelago’s bottled beers. The brewery has 6 core beers: (1) Singapore Blonde Ale, (2) Tropical Pale Ale, (3) Summer IPA, (4) Bohemian Lager, (5) Belgian Witbier and (6) Irish Ale.

We’ll be covering the first 5 core beers that are available off-trade. The Irish Ale is only available in a glass at a taproom unfortunately!

Singapore Blonde Ale, 4.5% ABV – Review

The Singapore Blonde Ale is a Singaporean twist on the blonde ale – a light, very sessionable style originating from North America, that offers very mild hoppiness and a light malt sweetness. This style tends to be fairly light in texture and can be enjoyed over an extended period without becoming overly filling.

This particular blonde ale is made with the addition of crushed calamansi and pandan leaf blended in late during fermentation, which supposedly imparts a refreshing Asian character that makes for a good pairing with grilled meats or spicy dishes.

Let’s give this a try.

Appearance: Pale yellow amber, the colour of orange juice, topped with very dense foam.

Nose: Upon first sniff, the aroma is clean and citrusy, with moderate expressiveness. Pithy and grapefruit-like scents blend with notes of lychee, green apple, and a lager-like essence. The calamansi presence adds a unique layer, strongly reminiscent of Anglia Shandy – a light lemon-flavored shandy popular in Malaysia. A hint of bitter hoppiness, evocative of soap, lingers in the background, while undertones of honey and biscuity malt complete the aromatic profile.

Palate: Very light in texture and sensation, much like many lagers. It opens with an initial note of unusual intense calamansi sourness, complemented by a distinct herbaceousness from the pandan leaves. Further exploration uncovers yeasty notes reminiscent of sourbread, lime, and a mild yet enduring sweet maltiness. Hints of floral hop flavours add a little more depth, while a subtle creamy texture rounds out the palate.

Finish: Notes of hops, accompanied by a striking lime peel flavour (not sourness). This is intertwined with a somewhat strange oniony pungency, strongly evoking the flavour of cincalok with onions (cincalok is a complex and strong-tasting condiment from Malaysia made of fermented small shrimp). A light and fruity conclusion of esters, like ripe pear, and a gentle spiciness lingering on the tongue.

My Thoughts:

🦐

This Singaporean Blonde Ale really does deliver on its promise of local character. The beer is light and thirst-quenching with almost no bitter hop notes, consistent with many blonde ales and lagers. Yet it also features some quite adventurous notes I haven’t seen in any other craft beers.

The distinct calamansi and cincalok sourness make it an excellent and refreshing choice for outdoor gatherings or to pair with rich dishes like sambal stingray and satay. I wouldn’t tell any craft beer lover that this is a very traditional brew, but it scores incredibly high on novelty – offering a never-before-seen taste of Singapore's vibrant culinary heritage.

Tropical Pale Ale, 4.3% ABV – Review

The Tropical Pale Ale is a fairly traditional pale ale style beer with bright and fresh tropical fruit notes from Cascade, Chinook, Pacifica and Galaxy hops.

Unlike the Singapore Blonde Ale, there seems to be a slightly higher level of hops here, while only traditional beer ingredients have been used for this brew. I imagine this to have a more balanced profile with no unexpected notes.

Let’s give this a try.

Appearance: Yellow gold. A head with lighter and less dense foam.

Nose: The aroma greets the senses with pithy and orangy notes, reminiscent of freshly peeled Mandarin oranges. Rich yet mild accents of caramel, honey and Chinese maltose candy (麦芽糖) weave together with delicate floral hints of honeysuckle and vanilla. The bouquet is rounded out by the presence of barley and a subtle hoppiness, while a light zing from effervescence tantalises the nose.

Palate: Upon the first sip, the palate reveals a pleasant and balanced sweetness and juiciness, accompanied by a fruity, citrusy sourness. Some notes of pineapples and grapefruit. An intriguing dry nuttiness emerges, this has a striking resemblance to satay peanut sauce and peanut skins. This also has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel probably contributed by the malted wheat, while the blend of Cascade, Pacifica, Chinook, and Galaxy hops offers a harmonious interplay of flavours.

Finish: It gracefully fades into a very friendly hoppiness that lingers pleasantly on the palate. Hints of pine and tropical fruit flavours, courtesy of the diverse hop profile, create a lasting impression and invite further exploration.

My Thoughts:

🥭🍍

The Singaporean Pale Ale is likely to be well-received by typical craft beer enthusiasts. It boasts a delightful array of pleasant and familiar flavours often found in balanced pale ales. The beer strikes nice balance between hop and malt profiles, resulting in a highly approachable beverage for both seasoned beer lovers and casual drinkers alike.

I’m personally in a mood for a bolder flavour today, but the balanced and accessible character of this pale ale ensures it can be enjoyed over a longer period of time and by a wider audience – even those who are new to craft beers. This is a solid and versatile choice for various occasions and pairings.

Summer IPA, 5.5% ABV – Review

The Summer IPA is also a fairly traditional craft beer brew from Archipelago. This has a higher ABV compared to the previous two, and also promises a hoppy, tropical flavour profile. Presumably would be one of the bolder-flavoured ones in the range. Let’s check this one out.

Appearance: Light copper, orange marmalade. Light but dense foam head.

Nose: Greets the senses with a pleasantly rich and malty profile. This bouquet is notably sweeter than the previous two offerings, hinting at the complexity that awaits. There’s toasty, biscuity notes mingling with a lightly bready character, while sweet orange supremes, light honey melon, and subtle pineapple provide an enticing fruity backdrop.

Palate: The palate is greeted by a rich maltiness complemented by a viscous and thick texture. This IPA harmoniously balances malt and hop flavours, showcasing light honeyed and malty notes that dominate alongside hints of citrus and mango. The hop character – hallmark of an IPA – is a pleasant counterpoint to the malt backbone, bringing in a layer of grapefruit, pine resin, and a touch of tropical fruit.

The overall profile is further enhanced by a pronounced tanginess from lemon peel that cuts through the richness.

Finish: Lingering notes of malt accompanied by the freshness of hops and pine. The bitterness of lime seeds is present, along with a dry citrus rind sensation in the mouth.

My Thoughts:

😋💪🏻

Now, this proves to be the most satisfying of the sampled beers thus far, with a richer, maltier and bolder palate and a lasting and invigorating hoppy aftertaste.

I did find the dry lemony tanginess slightly overpowering and offbeat, but the beer's profile is overall quite pleasant and engaging. The boldness of this IPA is sure to appeal to seasoned beer enthusiasts, but it is worth noting that new drinkers who may not yet have a preference for IPAs would most likely much prefer the Tropical Pale Ale. For me, this IPA stands as a solid flagship brew of Archipelago that I’ll return to over and over again.

Bohemian Lager, 4% ABV – Review

This is Archipelago’s take on a Bohemian-Style Pilsner, a style originating from a historical country in the present day Czech Republic. Such brews typically portray a light, clear lager that has hop-forward aromas and some complexity of spicy, herbal or earthy notes with a malt sweetness.

Let’s look at what we have.

Appearance: Yellow gold with a thin layer of dense foam.

Nose: Mild and approachable, presenting a blend of dry cereal notes, maltiness, and a subtle dry woodiness. Light notes of caramel intermingle with the comforting scent of toasted cornflakes, setting the stage for a well-rounded and appetising nosing experience.

Palate: Smooth, clean, malty and slightly spicy. The first sip is greeted by a rich maltiness, coupled with a quite tangy effervescent note seen in the Summer IPA. An unusual sweet and sour note reminiscent of isotonic drinks adds a unique twist. Smooth and clean flavours of dominant toasted biscuits and dry granola emerge along with a dusting of cinnamon powder.

This is supported by delicate hints of grapefruit and very light acai berry notes. A fairly complex array of flavours you might see in many a Bohemian-style pilsner.

Finish: The finish reveals gradually intensified grapefruit pith, complemented by more bready and malty notes. These flavours harmoniously meld together before gradually fading off into a smooth, satisfying hoppiness, leaving a pleasant and lasting impression.

My Thoughts:

🦢

Of Archipelago Brewery’s offerings, I find this the complex and elegantly structured. I quite enjoy the toasty cereal notes and mild spiciness, while the harmonious melding together of citrus and malt which gradually deplanes in the finish really makes it a standout. An approachable and memorable tasting experience.

This is my second favourite of the collection.

Belgian Witbier, 4.2% ABV – Review

This is a Singaporean take on the Belgian wheat beer, a crisp and low-hop style traditionally brewed with unmalted wheat and sometimes oats and malted barley. It is intended to be smooth in texture but are also spiced with orange peels and coriander to give it a very mild kick.

Appearance: Natural orange juice – a pale translucent gold. Thick but loose foam head.

Nose: I’m incredulous when I smelt a distinct note of buttered popcorn. The nose is a delightful symphony of rich buttery notes of popcorn, complemented by an interesting teriyaki undertone that combines a sweet black sugar note with an umami saltiness. Light caramel, bread skin, and roasted nuts round out the bouquet. An aroma that reminds you of a bakery.

Palate: The palate is met with a bright maltiness and a smooth, refreshing texture that retains a rich and approachable barley malt sweetness. The bitterness is almost imperceptible, while the flavour profile is supported by buttered corn, oatmilk and a light cinnamon spiciness. Sweet tangerines with their rind contribute a refreshing citrusy element  while mild coriander grassiness in the back adds some complexity.

Finish: As the witbier lingers on the palate, the finish once again brings back those delightful popcorn notes. This is accompanied by fading barley water flavours and a really mild hoppiness.

My Thoughts:

🍿🥞

The standout popcorn note in this Belgian witbier is truly a delight! I imagine this is likely a crowd favourite even among the drinks-curious.

It has a highly approachable profile, minimal bitterness, Iand an interesting yet familiar combination of candy shop flavours is sure to appeal to a very wide range of people, from mom and dad to your dog or cat. This unique and flavourful witbier is a testament to Archipelago Brewery's ability to create interesting and enjoyable craft beers.

The next time you take a sip of a cold one from Archipelago, remember this interesting talking point with your drinking companions: Archipelago Brewery has seen all of modern Singapore's history along its 90-year journey.

The original Archipelago Brewery of the 1930s–1990s actually produced the commercially popular Anchor Beer and ABC Stout, and for a very brief period, even operated under Asahi and Sapporo's company. And while the flavours of today’s Archipelago Brewery no longer resembles its predecessor, tracing its lineage would unravel an incredibly rich tapestry of Singapore’s heritage.

Read more about Archipelago Brewery’s origins and its unexpected connections here.

@CharsiuCharlie