Hanoi's craft beer scene is interesting precisely where the casual culture of bia hoi meets the international food and drink scene around West Lake. However, closures, relocations, and rebranding are common, so if you rely on addresses or tap counts from a few years ago, you may find the place is gone.
This article prioritizes venues whose details could be officially confirmed as of September 2026, while preserving each brand's character. Please recheck prices, opening hours, and available beers on the day via official social media, maps, and in-store menus.
Bottom line: Confirm a venue is open before you go, rather than fixating on the name
- 7 Bridges' current official Hanoi location is 104 Xuân Diệu, Tây Hồ
- Limited kegs, tap counts, and flight prices are not fixed information
- If you move on from bia hoi to craft beer, keeping it to 2–3 venues total makes it easier to remember the flavors
- After drinking, do not ride a motorbike — walk or use a ride-hailing app
Why is local craft beer thriving in Hanoi?
People tend to think “craft beer equals Ho Chi Minh City,” but Hanoi is where breweries with a strong local flavor are concentrated. There are three historical and cultural reasons.
Bia hoi culture forms the foundation
Hanoi’s “bia hoi” is a fresh-draft beer culture: brewed in the morning and drunk up the same day, at about 10,000 VND (roughly 60 yen) a glass—among the cheapest in the world. Light at around 3% alcohol, it’s an everyday sight to sit on plastic stools and drink it all over town. This culture of “drinking beer casually every day” has become the soil that spread interest in craft beer to locals as well.
The presence of the foreign community at West Lake (Tay Ho)
The area around West Lake in northwestern Hanoi is an expat district centered on French and American residents, and brewers who brought Western craft-beer culture began gathering here from the late 2010s. Many Tay Ho–born brands have emerged, including Furbrew (later The Box Bar), Standing Bar, and Turtle Lake Brewing.
An experimental spirit that makes the most of Vietnamese ingredients
Experimental flavors combining distinctly Vietnamese ingredients have become each brand’s signature—such as the Pho Beer once made by Furbrew (using pho spices), 7 Bridges’ Bastard Series (using Vietnamese spices), and Pasteur Street’s Jasmine IPA (with jasmine-flower aroma). Pairing local ingredients is what makes Hanoi craft so interesting.
Five must-visit local brands unique to Hanoi
Here are five craft brands born in or uniquely developed in Hanoi, organized by their character, signature beer, and ease of access. You can’t hit them all in a day, so we recommend narrowing down to the style you’re interested in.
| Brand | Area | Signature beer | Price per pint | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Box Bar (sometimes described as the former Furbrew; confirm current operating status) | Tay Ho (West Lake) | Low-priced house beers | 50,000〜100,000VND | As this includes rebranding information, confirm current operations via official social media |
| Standing Bar | Truc Bach | 15–19 taps, changing daily | 80,000〜140,000VND | A rooftop beer garden overlooking the lake |
| 7 Bridges | Tay Ho | Bastard Series | 100,000〜150,000VND | From Da Nang, using Vietnamese spices |
| Heart of Darkness | Near the Old Quarter | Belgian Tripel / Ginger Beer | 100,000〜160,000VND | Seasonal experimental beers |
| Bia Sành Điệu | Two locations in the city | House-brewed plus guest taps | 70,000〜120,000VND | Pairing with Vietnamese cuisine |
If it's your first time, check at the venue whether tasting flights are available and what the price is that day — trying small amounts side by side makes it easier to pick up on the differences. Remaining stock of Furbrew's former Pho Beer can be enjoyed in limited quantities at select taprooms such as The 100 Garden.
The Box Bar (sometimes described as the former Furbrew; confirm current operating status): successor to a flagship Hanoi local brand
Furbrew, founded by Danish brewer Thomas Bilgram in the West Lake area and long the face of Hanoi's craft beer scene, has closed and was rebranded as The Box Bar in 2023. The new venue focuses on value-priced house beers starting at 50,000 dong (about 300 yen) a pint, cheaper than in the Furbrew days. Remaining stock of Pho Beer, brewed with pho spices like star anise and cinnamon, can still be found in limited quantities at a few taprooms, including The 100 Garden.
- Address: 8B Ngõ 12 Đặng Thai Mai, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội
- Hours: 13:00–23:00 (daily)
- Open in Google Maps
Standing Bar: 19 taps on a rooftop with a stunning view
On a rooftop overlooking Truc Bach Lake, this bar serves 19 taps of craft beer from across Vietnam, rotating daily. Since you can try major brands—Pasteur Street, 7 Bridges, Furbrew, Heart of Darkness—all at once, it’s the ideal single stop to grasp the whole picture of Hanoi craft. It’s busiest at sunset (around 17:30–18:30).
- Address: 170 Trấn Vũ, Trúc Bạch, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
- Hours: Mon–Fri 15:00–24:00 / Sat–Sun 12:00–24:00
- Open in Google Maps
7 Bridges: the award-winning Bastard Series from Da Nang
Founded in Da Nang in 2017 and now with locations in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An, this is a serious Vietnamese-born craft brand. Its Bastard Series, made with Vietnam-specific spices and fruits, has won awards at the Asia Beer Awards. The Hanoi branch is near the Sheraton in the Tay Ho district, with Pizza 4P’s also within walking distance, making it easy to combine with a meal.
- Current official address: 104 Xuân Diệu, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội
- Hours: 11:00–23:45 (daily)
- Open in Google Maps
Heart of Darkness: king of experimental flavors
Though it originated in Ho Chi Minh City, this heavyweight also has a permanent shop in Hanoi. It’s known for daring flavors like an 8.5% Belgian Tripel, a fiery ginger beer, and seasonal tropical-fruit beers. Recommended for intermediate craft drinkers and up who feel “I’m tired of standard IPAs.”
- Address: near the Old Quarter, available at multiple tap points
- Hours: vary by outlet
- Open in Google Maps
Bia Sành Điệu: specializing in pairings with Vietnamese cuisine
A local brand whose name means “Stylish Beer,” with two locations in the city. Alongside its house-brewed beers, it offers guest taps from Pasteur Street, 7 Bridges, Heart of Darkness, and others, in a distinctive format that puts pairings with Vietnamese cuisine front and center. Staples like pho, banh mi, and fried spring rolls can be served to match the beer.
- Address: two locations in the city (Old Quarter / Ba Dinh)
- Hours: 10:00–23:30 (varies by location)
- Open in Google Maps
Four more Hanoi craft favorites worth knowing
Beyond the five main brands, there are hidden gems in the know. Here are extra candidates for those who want to dig deeper.
| Shop name | Area | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Turtle Lake Brewing Co. | Tay Ho | 20 taps, mostly house-brewed; a favorite of core beer fans |
| B’ross Craft Beer | Old Quarter | Its signature is a honey IPA made with Vietnamese forest honey |
| Taproom Cua Bac | Truc Bach（30 Cua Bac） | 16 taps, with plenty of seasonal IPAs |
| iBiero Craft Beer Station | In front of Hanoi Station | A handy spot to drop by before or after a train, open until late |
The Bottle Shop (two locations, West Lake and the Old Quarter) has one of Vietnam’s largest selections of bottled and canned craft beer. Recommended for takeaway fans and those who want to drink at their hotel.
Bia hoi versus craft beer: the difference and how to enjoy them together
Hanoi’s beer culture is a two-tier structure of “bia hoi (traditional)” and “craft (modern).” Experiencing both is the stylish way to enjoy it.
| Item | Bia Hoi | Craft beer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 10,000 VND (about 60 yen) per glass | 70,000–150,000 VND (about 420–900 yen) per pint |
| Alcohol content | Around 3% | 5〜10% |
| Location | Plastic stools on the street | Stylish taprooms and rooftops |
| Clientele | Mostly local middle-aged and older | Foreigners plus younger crowds |
| Serving hours | Midday to night (ends once sold out) | Evening to late night |
The classic bia hoi junction: “Ta Hien Street”
The intersection of Ta Hien Street and Luong Ngoc Quyen Street in the Old Quarter is Hanoi’s largest fresh-draft-beer cluster, known as “Bia Hoi Corner.” From around 5 p.m., chairs line the whole alley and it fills with tourists and locals. The classic course is to fill up on 60-yen bia hoi and then bar-hop to a craft beer venue.
- Address: intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen (Old Quarter)
- Hours: from around 17:00 until late (varies by outlet)
- Open in Google Maps
Tour it in a day! Three Hanoi craft beer courses
Here are three patterns you can choose based on your length of stay and stamina. Getting around by Grab (ride-hailing app) or taxi is the practical choice.Guide to using ride-hailing appsIt’s reassuring to check this in advance.
Course A: the classic half-day (Old Quarter + Truc Bach)
- 16:00 Experience bia hoi at the Old Quarter’s Bia Hoi Corner (30 minutes)
- 17:00 Take a taxi to Standing Bar (Truc Bach), aiming for sunset
- 18:30 Move to 7 Bridges (Tay Ho) for a dinner pairing
- 21:00 Nightcap at The Box Bar (sometimes described as the former Furbrew; confirm current operating status)
Course B: the full-day core experience (morning to late night)
- 11:00 A light lunch beer (Jasmine IPA) at Pasteur Street’s Hanoi branch
- 13:00 Sightseeing and walking in the Old Quarter
- 15:00 Try a saison at a Heart of Darkness outlet
- 17:00 Sunset at Standing Bar (a 19-tap tasting)
- 19:00 A pairing with Vietnamese cuisine at Bia Sành Điệu
- 21:30 Buy bottled beer at The Bottle Shop for a nightcap at your hotel
Course C: a two-part morning-and-night plan (short and focused)
- Morning: a glass right after Bia Sành Điệu opens (10:00–11:00)
- Midday: focus on sightseeing
- Night: bar-hop two spots, Standing Bar → The Box Bar (19:00–23:00)
Tips for souvenirs and takeaway
If you find a craft beer you like, you can bring it home to Japan. The Bottle Shop stocks a wide range of bottled and canned beer. Alcohol is duty-free in Japan up to the equivalent of three 760 ml bottles (about 2.28 L total), and since it exceeds 100 ml, it must go in checked luggage rather than your carry-on. For detailed baggage rules, seecomplete guide to flights from Japan to Vietnam. To prevent breakage, the golden rule is to wrap them in clothing and place them in the center of your suitcase.
Summary: enjoy Hanoi in two stages, “bia hoi plus craft”
Hanoi's craft beer scene, built on the popular culture of Bia Hoi, has developed its own identity across three areas — Tay Ho, Truc Bach, and the Old Quarter — making it one of Southeast Asia's most notable scenes. Beyond Pasteur Street, getting to know five key players — The Box Bar (sometimes described as the former Furbrew; confirm current operating status), Standing Bar, 7 Bridges, Heart of Darkness, and Bia Sành Điệu — gives you a full picture of Hanoi craft beer. A two-stage approach of a local experience at Bia Hoi Corner followed by a craft bar crawl lets you cover Hanoi's beer culture in a single day.
For more Hanoi highlights, seethe Hanoi souvenir guideand8 great pho spots in Hanoias well. If you’d like to enjoy coffee culture,15 best Vietnamese coffee cafesis also a helpful reference.
Frequently asked questions
Summary: Don't trust old addresses — pick two venues on the day
In Hanoi you can compare bia hoi and craft beer on the same day, but relocations and keg rotations are a given. Use venues whose addresses you can verify on their official websites as your anchor, and decide on the rest based on that day's operating information. The current official Hanoi location of 7 Bridges is 104 Xuân Diệu.
Starting with a light lager or a tasting flight at the first stop, then moving on to an aromatic IPA or a limited release at the second, makes for an easier comparison. Pace yourself with water and food in between, and plan a route home that isn't a stretch.
