One of the city’s top craft beer festivals confirms it will be held in Laowaijie, a popular nightlife areas.

The Beerkraze Craft Beer Festival, an annual event held in Shanghai, China, to celebrate the country’s craft beer scene, will be held in Laowaijie on April 19-20, the event organisers have confirmed. Laowaijie, also known as Foreigners Street, is a pedestrianised thoroughfare, hosting numerous small eateries and bars in the Minhang District of Shanghai. This year’s festival hub will be at 3338 Hongmei Road in Laowaijie, a lively entertainment area known for its international dining and nightlife scene.

Participants of the two-day celebration will have the opportunity to enjoy fruit-infused brews, limited-edition releases, and immersive experiences tailored for craft beer enthusiasts, according to the announcement.

Entry to the festival is free, with this year’s theme centred on tropical flavours and bold innovations. The event will showcase tropical IPAs, berry-packed sours, and citrus-forward ales from a mix of experimental and established breweries.

Highlights of the event include blind tasting challenges, live DJ performances, and fruit-and-beer pairing battles, all aimed at elevating the festival’s appeal beyond traditional beer tasting.

Organisers have assembled a diverse lineup of breweries from across China and abroad. Participating brewers include Hinata Riita from Changsha, Twin Tails Brewing, POP BEER, Wild West Brewing, Set Back Craft Beer, and Shanghai’s 12sqm. International labels such as Duchesse, Gulden Draak, Goose Island, Kasteel, and Saint Louis will also pour at the event.

In addition to free general admission, Beerkraze is also offering online-exclusive pre-paid tasting sets. The Five-Glass Frenzy set, priced at CNY50 (US$6.85) includes one German-style beer and four craft samples (140ml each). The 10-Glass Beer Bonanza, at 98 RMB, offers two German-style beers and eight craft beer samples, redeemable at any event booth.