A new beer bar near Amoy Street and Telok Ayer, Freehouse scores points for its pub food and after-work drinks – perfect for chilling with friends
“Stairway to Beer Heaven – Welcome to Freehouse”. That’s the cheeky slogan that greets you as you enter the stairway leading up to the newly opened beer joint at Boon Tat Street. Located on the second floor, this hot new bar ushered us with yet another garish pink logo – “No Strangers Here” – as we sauntered in. This motto, which also happens to be the motto of the pub, is exactly what owners, Jasmin Wong and Kasster Soh, wish to achieve. And frankly, we’re no strangers at all to some good ol’ craft beer.
Driven by the need for good quality beer, the duo started up Freehouse in April this year to share their love of independent craft beers to the masses. Perched behind the bar counter are 16 beer taps, each representing a beer that has been personally tasted and selected from all around the world – and we hear this list never stays the same.
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Spoilt for choice by the array of alcohol offerings? We recommend starting off with Adnam’s Dry Hops Lager. This lager offers a crisp, refreshing texture, is easy to drink, and makes a perfect tongue-loosener to get your evening going. For the more adventurous beer guzzlers, you might wanna try a pint of La Trappe Witte Trappist – a strong dose of spice trailed down our throats as we gave this one a whirl. But if spice doesn’t sit well with you, the Coedo Shiro Hefeweizen is a decent alternative with a fruity hint of bananas for a much lighter mouthfeel.
A lover of dark beers? Then you gotta get yourself a pint of Yeastie Boys’ Pot Kettle Black from the tap. Brewed in New Zealand, this porter offers a strong aroma of roasted coffee beans with a hint of liquorice mixed in. Even after downing the drink, the coffee aftertaste still lingers, so expect some caffeine jitters after!
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But if we were to recommend our favourite, it’ll most definitely have to be the Stone Pataskala Red X. This particular IPA has a delightful amber colour, and has a thick creamy texture to it. A clear fruity taste springs forth when it touches your lips, leaving behind a tangy, citrusy aftertaste – an addictive bevvie that we assure won’t have you stopping at one pint.
Beers aside, Freehouse also serves a vibrant selection of pub fare. The chicken bun was a winner – instead of a chicken patty, the chef fries a chicken thigh to a crisp, then debones it before serving it with som tum salad, peanuts and green curry mayo. While the nachos dumplings and bacon tempura made for excellent finger food that paired perfectly with some lager. And did we also mention deep-fried cereal frog legs?
Overall, Freehouse is a great place to hang out and chill with a beer after a hard day’s work. As Jasmin explained to us, each beer is an outward expression of its creator, and that expression can be tasted in the flavour and body of the beer. Likewise, Freehouse embraces the frothing passion of its owners, and we could feel every ounce of it.
Freehouse, 21A Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069620. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-12am.