CONTENTS Pick your poison
1 Keong Saik Road 6208 7940 | heartofdarknessbrewery.com
First impressions:
If you’re into craft beers, you may have heard of this award-winning brewery from Saigon, Vietnam. First opening in Tanjong Pagar last year, the Singapore outpost has now found a bigger and better home in the trendy Keong Saik neighbourhood. The same casual and fun vibes are apparent in this new setup, with dark wood, warm leather and bold murals giving the spacious gastrobar a strong personality. It’s the perfect spot for an informal date night, or a fun catch-up with colleagues.
The Chosen One:
Heart of Darkness has over 25 taps, so you’re spoilt for choice. As a big fan of sour beers, I was stoked to see a number of them on the menu; after browsing through the long list of drink options, I decided on a light brew to whet the appetite. Something Stealthy Citrus Sour ($16) is a citrusy blend of tangerine, satsuma (mandarin), orange and lemon, layered with notes of sour berry and pineapple. This limited release definitely suits its nickname, “The Tangerine Dream”! Another refreshing pick is the Futile Purpose Cucumber Pilsner ($15) – I remember trying and really liking it on my previous visit.
For those into IPA and stouts, there’s a neat selection to peruse. Not sure what to get? Just ask one of the friendly staff, or hit up the bartender for a recommendation. If you’re more of a cocktail creature, you’ll be happy with the beer-infused concoctions here, too.
The Cheapskate:
One big factor that draws crowds here is the wallet-friendly offerings. If you’re not a big drinker, you can go for the small-sized brews, priced at just $10 a pop.
Bite on this:
Although the drinks were stellar, what truly impressed us was the extensive beer-influenced food menu. Make plans to have dinner (or lunch) here, and make sure you arrive hungry. One standout was the baby corn ($10), grilled to smoky perfection and served with a special Heart of Darkness mayo and grated aged Manchego cheese. The Fish & Chips Tacos ($18 for two) – beer-battered fish with minty guac, matchstick potatoes, tartar sauce – were delicious, too. And, even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, we recommend capping things off with a slice of Marlow’s Mellow ($14), an indulgent Basque burnt cheesecake spiked with pomelo IPA. Creamy and indulgent with bits of pomelo to cut through the richness, this was the highlight of our night.