Craft Beer Ubud: The Ultimate Guide to Craft Beer in Ubud, Bali

Ubud might be better known for rice terraces, temples and cafés than beer, but there's plenty here for craft beer drinkers too.

From refreshing pilsners and pale ales to hazy IPAs, wheat beers, porters and fruit-forward sours, Bali's growing beer scene gives you far more to choose from than the familiar lagers found across the island. And you don't need to be a beer expert to enjoy it.

Whether you already know your IPA from your Kölsch or simply want to try something different while you're in Bali, this guide will help you understand the different beer styles, discover some of the flavours being brewed in Indonesia and find craft beer in Ubud.

What Makes a Craft Beer Different?

There isn't one flavour that defines craft beer. That's part of the appeal. Different combinations of malt, hops, yeast, brewing techniques and additional ingredients can create beers ranging from light and crisp to intensely hoppy, fruity, sour, sweet, roasted or dark.

For someone used to drinking conventional lager, a craft beer menu can initially look a little confusing. You'll see terms such as IPA, pale ale, Kölsch, wheat beer, porter and sour — often accompanied by ABV and IBU numbers.

But you don't need to understand everything on the menu. The easiest way to start is to think about what flavours you already enjoy and choose a style from there.

Craft Beer in Bali

Bali has developed its own increasingly diverse beer scene, with Indonesian breweries producing styles that go well beyond traditional lager.

At The Melting Pot Saloon, our beer selection includes Bali and Indonesian breweries such as IOI (Islands of Imagination), Island Brewing, Beaches and KulturAle, alongside familiar Indonesian and international beer brands. That variety means you can spend an evening trying several completely different styles without leaving Ubud.

Some beers stay close to familiar, easy-drinking styles, while others experiment with hops, fruit, coffee, honey and other ingredients. For travellers interested in discovering something made closer to home, it's an opportunity to experience another side of Bali's food-and-drink scene.

Which Craft Beer Should You Try?

There isn't a single “best” craft beer because everyone has different tastes. Instead of ordering whatever has the highest ABV or the strangest name, start with the kind of flavour you actually want.

If you like something light and refreshing

Start with styles such as pilsner, lager, cerveza or Kölsch. These tend to be approachable choices for people who normally drink mainstream lagers. They're generally refreshing and easy drinking without overwhelming you with hop bitterness or heavier roasted flavours. A Kölsch can also be a useful introduction to craft beer because it offers something different while remaining light and accessible.

If you want something hoppy

Try a pale ale or IPA. Pale ales typically introduce more noticeable hop flavour and aroma while remaining relatively balanced. IPAs usually take that further. Depending on the beer, you might notice citrus, tropical fruit, floral, piney or resinous characteristics from the hops.

Some IPAs lean strongly into bitterness, while hazier versions can have a softer mouthfeel and more fruit-forward character. If you've never had an IPA before, you don't necessarily need to jump straight into the strongest one available. Start with a pale ale or approachable IPA and work your way from there.

If you already love big IPAs

Then you can explore stronger and more hop-forward styles such as XIPAs and Double IPAs. These are generally better suited to drinkers who already enjoy prominent hop flavour, higher bitterness or stronger beers. If your normal order is a light lager, this probably isn't where I'd recommend starting. If you're already an IPA fan, however, this is where things can get interesting.

If you like wheat beers

A wheat beer is another approachable option. Depending on the brewing style, wheat beers can be smooth, refreshing and slightly fruity or carry distinctive yeast-driven flavours. They're a good alternative if you want something different from a lager without immediately moving toward the bitterness of an IPA.

If you prefer dark and rich flavours

Look toward porter, stout or dunkel-style beers. These styles can introduce roasted malt characteristics and flavours reminiscent of coffee, chocolate, caramel or toasted grain.

Dark doesn't automatically mean extremely strong or bitter, either. If you're someone who enjoys coffee or richer flavours, don't let the colour put you off.

If you want something completely different

Try a sour or fruit-forward beer. Sours can be tart, refreshing and very different from what people traditionally imagine when they think of beer. They're also a fun option for someone who says, “I don't really like beer.” You might simply not like the beer styles you've tried so far.

Bali Beers With Local Flavours

Exploring beers while you’re in Bali is also a chance to discover flavours from across Indonesia. Some beers on our Beer Enthusiast’s Menu feature ingredients such as salak (snake fruit), soursop, mango, Sumatran honey and Flores Bajawa Arabica coffee.

A fruit-driven sour offers a different experience from a hop-heavy IPA, while coffee can complement the roasted flavours of darker beers. If you want to try something different during your stay in Bali, these are worth exploring.

Understanding ABV and IBU

Two abbreviations you'll often see on a craft beer menu are ABV and IBU. ABV — Alcohol by Volume tells you the percentage of alcohol in the beer. A higher ABV generally means more alcohol, although it doesn't necessarily tell you whether you'll actually enjoy the beer.

IBU — International Bitterness Units is a measurement associated with bitterness from hops.

Generally, a beer with a higher IBU has the potential to taste more bitter, but IBU isn't a perfect “how bitter will this taste?” scale. Malt sweetness, alcohol, ingredients and the overall balance of the beer can change how that bitterness is perceived. So don't choose a beer based entirely on the numbers. Use them as additional information alongside the style and flavour description.

Where to Drink Craft Beer in Ubud

The Melting Pot Saloon offers 33 beers across its tap and bottle selection, with 23 beers on tap, including 19 craft beers on tap.

Explore our Beer Enthusiast’s Menu to compare styles, ABV, IBU and tasting notes before choosing your beer.

Not sure where to start? Tell us what you normally drink or which flavours you enjoy, and ask for a recommendation.

More Than Just a Craft Beer Bar

Sometimes you want to sit quietly and analyse every flavour in your beer. Other times, you just want a good beer while doing something fun. The Melting Pot Saloon is a Texas-style saloon, sports bar and game room, so craft beer is only part of what's going on.

You can grab a beer while watching live sports across multiple screens, playing pool, darts, shuffleboard, ping pong, foosball or other games around the venue. There's also axe throwing if you're looking for something a little different.

And every Monday at 8 PM, we host our weekly Quiz Night in Ubud. That makes the beer selection particularly useful for groups. You don't need everyone to be a craft beer enthusiast — some people can explore the beer menu while others come for the games, food, sports or atmosphere.

Want Some Craft Beer Recommendations?

Not sure which beer to order first? Explore our six craft beers to try at The Melting Pot Saloon. The guide introduces individual beers with flavour descriptions, styles, ABV and IBU to help you choose something that suits your taste.

Discover Craft Beer in Ubud

You don't need to know everything about beer to start exploring craft beer. Try something familiar first or go in the opposite direction and order a style you've never tasted before.

If you normally drink lager, experiment with a Kölsch or pale ale. If you already enjoy hops, explore the IPAs. If bitterness isn't your thing, look toward wheat beers or fruit-driven options. And if you enjoy coffee and roasted flavours, give one of the darker beers a chance.

The fun is discovering what you actually like.

If you're looking for craft beer in Ubud, stop by The Melting Pot Saloon, take a look at the taps and find something new to try. And if one beer isn't for you? There are plenty more to choose from.

Craft Beer Ubud: Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I drink craft beer in Ubud?

The Melting Pot Saloon in Ubud offers a large beer selection across tap and bottled options, including craft beers from Bali and Indonesia alongside other Indonesian and international beers.

How many beers are on tap at The Melting Pot Saloon?

The Melting Pot currently has 23 beers on tap, including 19 craft beers on tap. The wider tap and bottle selection contains 33 beers in total. Availability can occasionally change if a particular beer is temporarily out of stock.

What Bali craft beer brands can I try in Ubud?

At The Melting Pot Saloon, you can explore craft beers from IOI (Islands of Imagination), Island Brewing, Beaches and KulturAle. Our wider beer selection also includes familiar Indonesian and international brands. Browse the Beer Enthusiast’s Menu for individual beers, styles and tasting notes.

What craft beer should a beginner try?

If you normally drink lager, start with an approachable pilsner, Kölsch or pale ale. If you enjoy fruity or hoppy flavours, try a pale ale or IPA. Wheat beers can also be approachable, while sours are worth trying if you prefer tart or fruit-forward flavours.

What do ABV and IBU mean?

ABV means Alcohol by Volume and indicates the beer's alcohol percentage. IBU stands for International Bitterness Units and relates to bitterness contributed by hops. Neither number alone tells you whether you'll enjoy a particular beer.

Does The Melting Pot have bottled beer as well as draft beer?

Yes. The Melting Pot has both tap and bottled beers, with 33 beers in total across the current selection. The permanent Beer Enthusiast's Menu is the best place to check the range.