(cityweekend)
Updated: 2007-04-19 10:34

Located in the depths of Phoenix City in Sanyuanqiao, BOKB is less and more than it seems. The three giant red copper tureens behind the bar say Munich, but the brew house is really a spin-off of a popular Japanese pub called OKB.

The Japanese managed to recreate Germany pretty well, even down to the unpronounceable (and meaningless) Okhotsk name. The four beers brewed in house include a weizen, a pilsner, an ale and a mild stout available in 300ml thimbles up to liter tankards (RMB28-72). The beer is as real as it gets in the Jing and the regular specials are welcome indeed (when we went it was spend RMB50 and get a free 300ml weizen).

The authenticity of the place starts to fall apart when you realize that the music piped in is mostly covers of Carpenters and John Denver songs and the service seems confused at times, taking more pleasure in fooling around with the spigot than taking orders. And despite the ample potted greenery, it's hard to shake off the general genericness of Sanyuanqiao. At risk of being laughed at, BOKB is just OK.

The one find was in the dessert section of the menu. Go for a scoop of the stout ice cream (RMB20). It's creamy, delicious and totally unique.

Beijing Okhotsk Beer

Perfect for: house brew
Add: 7 Business Street, Phoenix City, A5, Shuguang Xili
Tel: 5866-8552