The relationship between a tenant and their landlord can be tenuous at the best of times, but Hong Kong’s Young Master brewery appears to have taken things to a new level.
Disgruntled by what they see as the uncompromising greed of the landlord of their ‘TAP – The Ale Project’ taproom they have brewed up a 72 IBU IPA and called it “72 Tenants” as a direct reference to the 1973 Hong Kong movie “The House of 72 Tenants” in which the tenants of a housing block gather together to fight back against the injustices of a heartless landlady.
At a time when breweries (and all manner of businesses) are struggling to overcome not only the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing recession, but also a year of economy crippling anti-government protests this IPA is inspired by the bitter struggle faced by everyday Hongkongers in dealings with their landlords.
The brewery notes on their website: “This beer is an ode to the underdog and resilience … with a finish as bitter as your landlord”!
On September 7th, after nearly 6 years at its Hak Po Street (Mongkok) location Young Master will close their TAP outlet. Negotiations have broken down on account of their landlord asking for an increase of nearly 50% on the rental premium for the property.
TAP was one of Hong Kong’s earliest craft beer bars and was opened by Young Master’s Rohit Dugar, Chris Wong (co-founder of Heroes Beer Company) and Phil Chan. It was dedicated to developing the craft beer and homebrewing scene hosting tastings, workshops and demonstrations on a regular basis.
In defiant mood when talking with the Hong Kong Tatler Young Master’s Beer Director James Ling noted “Opening TAP and pushing craft beer in Hong Kong was and is still so worth it. There are so many friends and interesting people we have met through TAP and the craft scene in general”.
Young Master continue to operate the second branch of TAP at The Mills in Tsuen Wan as well as their other Hong Kong taprooms Second Draft, Alvy’s and Pub 1842.
