Having spent more than five years – and counting! – of my life in Kuala Lumpur, I would venture to say that I have come to know this fine city fairly well. What’s more, I can proudly claim that my familiarity with the place extends beyond the generic tourist hotspots and popular expat hangouts. From Kota Kemuning to Ampang Jaya, Rawang to Seri Kembangan, and everywhere in between, I’ve had reason to be there at one point or another.
Nevertheless, there are plenty of sections of the wider metropolitan area that remain a complete mystery to me. On a rainy Saturday afternoon in mid-February, the Beer Asia team – myself included – jumped in a spacious Grab vehicle and made our way out to one of those more obscure locations. An eastern outpost called Cheras Perdana, to be exact.
It took us almost an hour to cover 22 km and reach our final destination, a craft beer bar named Battle Of Bull. This homely establishment is revered for the comprehensive offering of artisanal brews stocked in its fridges, and up to eight on tap. On the day of our visit, it had been designated the venue of a momentous occasion in the annals of the Malaysian craft beer movement: A Leyd tap takeover.
Leyd Brewing Co.
First launched in 2023, Leyd is the third craft beer producer to become operational in Malaysia after 1602 and PaperKite. Based in the city of Sibu, a river port in the East Malaysian state of Sarawak, the brewery has spent the past couple of years asserting its presence in its own backyard. Now the time has come to take Peninsular Malaysia by storm.
The event at Battle Of Bull signified Leyd’s official introduction to the peninsula. This westward expansion has been a top priority from the get-go and aligns with the brewery’s broader ambitions, which extend to participation in international beer competitions and, ultimately, distribution throughout Southeast Asia.
While such long-term aspirations are humbly considered dots on the horizon, Leyd has already achieved a major milestone by becoming the first Sarawakian brewery to enter the Peninsular Malaysian beer market. With the home state on lock, the brewery’s current efforts are geared towards building a solid foundation on a national level through its diverse range of beers.
The Leyd Range
Inspired by big dreams and bold flavours, Leyd’s core range consists of four delicious brews that have been formulated to appeal to local as well as global tastes.
The Juicy Pale Ale (4.2%) entices with aromas of citrus, ripe peach, and tropical fruits. Once ingested, flavours of pineapple and mango permeate the palate before ending with refreshing, earthy notes that balance the fruit-forward intensity.
Quite possibly my personal favourite of the lot, the Air Hitam (meaning “black water”) Stout (5.4%), introduces itself with enchanting wafts of dark chocolate, cold brew coffee, and vanilla. A touch of malty sweetness and roasted nuttiness define the palate, while a creamy mouthfeel wraps up the wholesome experience.
Close second on my list is the Haka Pilsner (4.8%), with its crispy notes of lime zest, grapefruit, and passion fruit, supplemented with clean malt undertones and a refreshing finish.
The brewery’s fourth and final staple, the Dad Is The Reason Amber Lager (4.2%) combines toasty malt and earthy tones, floral and herbal hints, as well as a touch of sweet tangerine and citrus for a well-rounded swig.
A trio of seasonal brews were also being poured at Battle Of Bull, including a juicy Pineapple Pilsner (4.1%), smooth Blonde Ale (4.7%), and tart Bario & Sea Salt Gose (4.6%). The last of the three is prepared with salt obtained from natural springs located in Bario, deep in the Kelabit Highlands of Sarawak. Needless to say, I sampled – and thoroughly enjoyed – them all!
A Dedicated Following
As the afternoon turned to evening and the showers drifting over the metropolis intensified, a procession of craft beer pilgrims steadily filtered into Battle Of Bull. By nightfall, the crowd had started spilling over to the covered outdoor section. In a country where heavy rainfall is commonly used as an excuse to cancel plans and stay at home, the dedication shown by the KL craft beer faithful was nothing short of inspiring. The fact that most of the attendees I conversed with had spent as much time on the road as we had to reach the venue made the high turnout all the more astonishing.
Not for the first time since my return to the region I was struck by the strong sense of community that prevails among local craft beer aficionados. After being embraced by the fine folks in attendance at Brew Asia 2024 in Singapore, the reception I have received from the KL faithful has been equally heartwarming. These sentiments of camaraderie also characterise the relationships between brewers and punters; it is a perfect symbiosis.
In the case of Malaysia specifically, these bonds are further bolstered by a distinct sense of pride. To a certain degree, the national craft beer scene still finds itself in the trailblazing phase and the individuals actively involved on either side of the tap are dedicated to supporting each other. Local craft beer enthousiasts have been longing for a wider selection of artisanal brews to call their own; developments such as the arrival of Leyd on the peninsula is proof that their devotion has not been in vain.
The Grander Scheme of Things
In many respects, the Leyd tap takeover at Battle Of Bull was so much more than a launch event – it was a celebration in honour of Malaysia’s growing craft beer culture.
Concurrently, Leyd should be considered more than a producer of quality beers. Born from a passion for brewing and a commitment to elevating local craftmanship, the brewery is a symbol of innovation, perseverance, and community. It is a key player in a movement capable of bringing people together through shared experiences and a love for great beer.
On a personal level, I feel privileged to be able to partake in the movement and play a small role in helping it grow. Our concerted efforts will only make it easier to get Leyd moving forward. And that, dear reader, is surely something to look forward to!
