3 Days of 60+ Craft Beers, Live Music & Entertainment at The Hoppening!

From September 22-24, one of Hong Kong’s most exciting craft beer festivals will debut at PMQ in Central. In the weeks leading up to the event, we chat with the founders – Mark, Ben and Adam to find out what they’ve got in store for Hong Kong beer enthusiasts. 

What is The Hoppening?

The Hoppening is a craft beer festival which will take place at PMQ over three days from September 22-24. Tickets are priced at just $150, including a drinking vessel, a coozie to keep your beers cold and your first beer!

Throughout the weekend, attendees can try over 60 beers from Hong Kong and around the world, with 330ml pours starting at $40 and 440ml draft beers from $60 (and even cheaper at Happy Hour). There will also be music, entertainment and the opportunity to learn from the brewers. It’s the perfect opportunity to have fun with mates over the weekend. 

Tell us more about yourselves!

There are three of us – Ben, Mark and Adam; we run an events company called Banter Limited. We met in primary school in Hong Kong, so we have known each other for some time. We formed the Banter Limited (Events) four years ago after seeing a need for more affordable and ‘green’ events in Hong Kong. 

One of our key goals is to create sustainable events for the planet and the vendors, customers and venues. We aim to run events throughout the year that benefit everyone involved – our vendors, our guests and our partners – so that we can create fond memories for everyone in Hong Kong.

A few months ago, you hosted Ginsanity; how did it go for anyone who missed it? 

Ginsanity is Hong Kong’s first craft gin festival. We hosted the festival in May – it was a huge success, and everyone had great fun! We plan to rerun it in 2024. 

Ginsanity is a free-to-attend event showcasing the latest and most exciting gins in Hong Kong. Drinks start at just $65, and there are over 150 different gins to try and buy. More and more craft gin distilleries are creating fantastic new styles, so this is an opportunity to come and enjoy as many as possible! 

What elements do you need for a great event? 

You need a simple and effective concept that everyone can understand. For example, through Ginsanity, we bring together the best gins in Hong Kong. The Hoppening will be Hong Kong’s largest event bar that weekend, showcasing the latest international and local craft beers. 

A great event also comes down to the people – not just the teams organising but the attendees too. Attendees can make or break any event – fortunately, in Hong Kong, the attendees bring great vibes and energy! 

What does The Hoppening offer that’s different from other beer events in Hong Kong? 

The Hoppening will be Hong Kong’s largest bar during that weekend. Our pricing is competitive, with Happy Hour pints coming in at $52 – if you know anywhere else in Hong Kong that sells $52 pints, please let us know!

Why is PMQ an excellent venue? 

We hosted Ginsanity at PMQ a few months ago, and it was perfect. Location is the main reason; plus, the building and courtyard/marketplace provide a great ambience and flow. The whole area is undercover, so even the rain can’t dampen our plans. PMQ also has a nice through-breeze, so it’s great for Hong Kong weather! 

What do you look for in a good beer? 

All three of us have different tastes. Beer is excellent because there is something for everyone. Ben is partial to a sour right now. Something about the heat of the summer and a sour works on his taste buds. Mark likes anything with a crisp taste – lagers, pilsners and kolaches. Adam likes stouts – chocolatey, coffee flavours and full-bodied, and the variability and sweetness perform well.

How did you select the brewers for The Hoppening?

Ultimately, we’re looking to showcase a balance between Hong Kong and international breweries, so it’s less about selecting and more about who’s up for joining! If we could, we’d take every local brewery in Hong Kong and try to match that with overseas breweries; however, PMQ is only so big, so we need to balance the flavours and styles. Next year, we hope to have everyone involved!

I’m not into beer. Is there anything else I can enjoy at The Hoppening? 

Absolutely! Some of our partners are offering ciders and even seltzers. And as the guys behind Ginsanity, it wouldn’t be right not to have a gin presence, too. So you can still enjoy a G&T or a glass of wine if you need a break from beers. 

How do you plan to help smaller breweries get noticed? 

The Hoppening offers beer enthusiasts the chance to discover new beers. We’ve set a minimum price per pint to allow fairer pricing across the board. Individual tents will be selling beer priced from $40, and remember to take advantage of our happy hours (the first two hours of each day), during which everything is 20% off!

Are there any new brewers that you are particularly excited to introduce at The Hoppening?  

We are currently finalising our extensive list of international beers. Some of these beers have never been seen in Hong Kong, so we are excited to introduce them. We’re excited to introduce DEYA, Cloudwater and Verdant, all of which are having their ‘moment’ in the UK. 

Where is your favourite spot in Hong Kong to grab a beer?

The growth and popularity of the craft beer industry in Hong Kong has exploded recently. Many breweries now have their own bars, providing an incredible opportunity to drink the freshest beer in Hong Kong. Equally, several unique retailers are importing fascinating beers from overseas. There are so many places it’s impossible to list them all. 

Where can we find you when you’re not hosting events?

We’ve run Hong Kong’s Gin Club for the past four years. Every month, subscribers receive a full-sized bottle of gin that is new in Hong Kong, plus cocktail recipes to enjoy at home and other small goodies. 

We’re delighted to offer Hong Kong Living readers a 20% discount off their first month with the code “HKLIVING2023”.

What other events do you have in the works?

We have many ideas, but we’re keen to stick to what we know works and everyone enjoys. Next year, we hope to launch a new wine festival and an OctoberFest! Head to our websites (The Hoppening and Ginsanity) and sign up for our newsletters to learn about future events! 

The Hoppening will take place at PMQ from September 22-24. Tickets are priced at $150 for single day entry, including a drinking vessel, a coozie to keep your beers cold and your first beer! There’s a 20% discount when purchasing four tickets or more, and there will be a Happy Hour for the first two hours of each day. You can also buy a three-day weekend pass for $400.