It’s Beer – and Burger – O’Clock at TCSM!

Who says beers can only be enjoyed at happy hour? From 2 to 20 December, head down to Tong Chong Street Market (TCSM) for an ice-cold brew from Young Master Brewery whether it’s lunch, tea time or happy hour. Combine that with a delicious burger from Beef & Liberty, and voila! We speak with the local brands about their exclusive TCSM treats and bestselling signatures, sure to create a satisfying meal to brighten your day this month.

Beans Meet Beer
Local craft beer brewery Young Master is known for both classic and innovative styles, particularly Hong Kong-inspired flavours such as Cha Chaan Teng Sour with salted lime. “We create bold styles to show beer isn’t just one thing; it can be many things,” says founder Rohit Dugar. “We can’t wait to introduce the local craft beer culture to the neighbourhood at TCSM!”

This time, they’ve crafted a truly unique brew for the market: the Tong Chong Street Coffee Amble Lager.

“Coffee and amble ale share common flavour characteristics,” Dugar explains. To create this special drink, Young Master has teamed up with Singaporean coffee roaster Common Man. “Our beverage director James and I visited them two months ago and sampled more than 10 different types of coffee beans for this brew,” he says. Finally, they decided to use single origin beans from Samambaia, Brazil, which “impart velvety chocolate background notes to the beer”.

Infused using cold brew techniques, the beans were added post-fermentation to create a well-rounded, robust coffee character. “As a result, the beer has a fuller body, with a rich and roasty flavour,” he says. “It’s the perfect beer for Hong Kong’s relatively mild winters.”

In addition to this limited edition coffee beer, you can also sample bestsellers such as Classic Pale Ale and Cha Chaan Teng Sour. “On Thursdays and Fridays, we’re also pouring our Christmas beer, Celebration Ale (porter with Christmas spices) till 7pm,” he reveals. For a bite to go with your beer, get a lunch combo which comes with a sandwich by TAP: The Ale Project and a can of Tong Chong Street Coffee beer.

Burger Fever
Burgers are great comfort food, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel guilty enjoying one. Drop by the Beef & Liberty signature food truck to enjoy their tasty creations using carefully sourced and fresh ingredients. “We only use grass-fed, hormone- and antibiotic-free beef from Scottish Highland cattle, and welfare-friendly pork from Dingley Dell Farm, England and Millers of Speyside, Scotland,” says Managing Director Will Bray.

For their debut at TCSM, they’re introducing the Impossible Truck Burger from sustainable sister brand Leaves & Liberty. “It contains an Impossible patty with plant-based meat to cater to our vegetarian friends,” he says.

There are also other favourites such as The Notorious P.I.G., featuring braised pork, spicy BBQ sauce, crackling and green apple slaw; and the Truck Burger with beef, raclette cheese and caramelised onions, which Bray recommends adding on rashers of bacon for an extra burst of flavour.

“Less is more, so we use fewer ingredients to ensure a balance of flavour and texture,” he says. “A burger has three components: beef cooked over high heat for a nice Maillard reaction, a light yet sturdy bun, and a cheese with the right meltability. These are really all a good burger needs. Except, perhaps, a swipe of Dijon mustard…”

This month, Tong Chong Street Market is open from 11:30am to 7pm on weekdays. Young Master’s Tong Chong Street Coffee amble ale is also available at their pop-up store at 1/F, Dorset House. Follow us on Facebook for details!