Members of publichouse.sg were having a nice cold one at The Good Beer Company one night and got into talking about the by-election with Daniel Goh, proprietor of Good Beer.
By Raymond Lau
It’s by-election time again! You know the drill – the political parties jostle for a seat in Parliament, and we hunt for a seat in the kopitiam for a beer party.
Yes, you can have good beer in a kopitiam, as Daniel Goh will insist. As founder of The Good Beer Company, Daniel believes in pairing good hawker food with good beer.
We asked the beer connoisseur for his thoughts about all the candidates who have expressed interest in Punggol East SMC, whether contesting or not, and he answered in the way he knows best – with beer.
People's Action Party = Kronenbourg Blanc
As white as a (colorectal) surgeon's coat, the Kronenbourg Blanc is usually found in more upmarket premises and often accused of being somewhat elitist and pretentious. But something as easy drinking as this is always regarded as a safe choice for most.
Worker's Party = Tiger Beer
A common sight in any Singapore kopitiam, Tiger Beer is, beyond any doubt, the working class' choice of tipple. Too many of these "lau-hors" and you can get somewhat hammered. We hear some Ah-Lians like this too.
Reform Party = Fuller's London Pride
You can't get any more English than Fuller's London Pride, which in this case, comes complete with a stiff upper lip like Reform Party's Kenneth Jeyaretnam. Just too bad it's relatively hard to find around town.
Singapore Democratic Alliance = ABC Stout
Stout is defined in the dictionary as a dark beer made with roasted malts, as well as appropriately describing the rotund figure of SDA's nominated candidate Desmond Lim. ABC Stout is, of course, the choice of some – ok, a very few – kopitiam uncles.
Singapore Democratic Party = Hoegaarden
Hoegaarden is a witbier, a style of beer that's unfiltered and hence, hazy – like some people’s attitudes towards the party. It's also spicy and zesty, but has an incredibly short finish – you either love it or hate it. Aspirational but ultimately none too inspiring.
Zeng Guoyan = Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale
Loud, vulgar and cocky – these are just some of the hallmarks of an arrogant attitude that disdains any kind of authority. Also, mostly unlikeable and shunned by all… and we actually mean the parrot. Its owner Zeng, on the other hand, is just plain weird and wacky.
Ooi Boon Ewe = Jolly Shandy
Tries oh-so-hard to be a beer, but really isn't one. Fruity, fizzy and makes all kinds of weird noises. But when life (on Nomination Day) hands you lemons...
If you want a detailed analysis of all candidates, you’ll have to visit The Good Beer Company yourself and talk to Daniel. He’ll be happy to oblige – under the influence of some great beers, of course!