Craft Beer Tasting In Former French Concession

About This Crawl

A craft beer tasting session in Shanghai's former French Concession, covering local and regional craft breweries in one of the city's most beer-friendly neighbourhoods. The French Concession's lane architecture and restaurant density make it the natural base for this format.

What to Expect

The Former French Concession (FFC) covers Xuhui and parts of Xingtiandi, bounded roughly by Huaihai Road to the north and Zhongshan Road to the south. Craft beer in the FFC includes taprooms operated by Shanghai's own brewing operations alongside bars stocking a curated selection from Chinese and regional breweries. Belgian-influenced and American-style IPAs have taken hold in the market; domestic styles using local rice or green tea as adjuncts are increasingly available. A tasting session in this format differs from a crawl: you are likely seated for longer at each venue, sampling two to three pours at each stop, with the guide providing context on the brewery and the style. This is a slower, more deliberate format than moving between venues every 45 minutes. Pints run ¥45-70; tasting paddles ¥80-120 for four pours. The French Concession tasting circuit covers perhaps two to three venues across two to three hours, ending with a clear sense of what Chinese craft beer is currently doing.

Who It's For

Beer drinkers who want to engage with Shanghai's craft scene in detail rather than just pass through it. The tasting format rewards curiosity.

Tips

• Ask the guide about breweries producing Chinese-specific styles (rice beer, green tea beer, osmanthus ales) rather than just imported style replication.
• The FFC's lane network (longtan) is the best part of the neighbourhood. Walk between venues where possible rather than taking taxis.
• Craft beer prices in Shanghai are higher than in Beijing's hutong scene. Budget ¥150-200 per person per venue for a meaningful tasting.
• Boxing Cat Brewery (Xuhui) and Pao has a taproom presence in the FFC; both are reference points for the scene's establishment players.
• The neighbourhood has excellent food options on and around Wulumuqi Road. Plan dinner before or after in the same area.

Verdict

The right format for craft beer engagement in Shanghai. The FFC location is correct: the neighbourhood suits this pace and this style of drinking.