Name (English): Two Moons Distillery
Name (Chinese): Two Moons Distillery
Category: Drinks & Nightlife, Markets & Malls
Address (English): 9A Kut Shing Building, No. 8 Kut Shing Street, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
Address (Chinese): 香港島柴灣吉勝街吉勝大廈9A
Address Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/xj4r6qoYHfjLyWPh7
Address longitude and latitude: 22.264115551419714, 114.2362456642169
Nearest MTR Station: Chai Wan Station Exit C
Nearest MTR Station Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/Y4nMqcFaBQuzWfCZ6
Nearest MTR Station longitude and latitude: 22.264887307443207, 114.23719634092856
How far from the nearest MTR Station: 2-minute walk from Chai Wan MTR Exit C
Opening Hours: Private tours only, visit their website to learn more
Recommended Time to Visit: Visit their website to book a private guided tour
Accessibility Note: Easy access
I have had the opportunity to listen to Two Moons Distillery’s genesis shared by the brand’s co-founder, Ivan Chang, in an online event. I’ve got to say, from its gustatory representation to the can-do spirit that the founding duo hanged onto throughout their journey, Two Moons’ story probably shouts “Hong Kong Spirit” louder than that of any local booze label I’ve heard so far.
Ivan described their Signature Dry Gin as a reminiscence of the local dai-pai-dong (大排檔) cuisine. In a dai-pai-dong dish, one can’t really point out exactly every condiment added to it; it’s the synergy from the tiny pinch of everything that makes magic happen. That is the idea Two Moons is going after. A well-balanced and flavourful small-batch handcrafted gin, Two Moons has thrilled gin connoisseurs and become a dark horse in international competitions in less than 2 years’ time.
The trailblazer of spirit production in Hong Kong, the co-founders took an unfathomably enormous gamble. According to Ivan, the last liquor manufacturing license issued to any local party dates back to almost a hundred years ago. There was literally no living reference for them. Yet, there’s no such thing as a garage brewery for high-proof alcohols like gin, not in Hong Kong. No matter how small the amount one is trying to sell, they cannot get past the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department. Which means, from renting their current studio in Chai Wan and renovating the unit to ensure its systems are in line with government regulations, to bringing their customized copper still, “Luna”, from Germany to its new home—everything happened before the distillery was granted its license. There was a chance, however slim it may be, that all investment would go in vain.
Source: Ginvans
November 2019 is a month to be remembered, at least by some zealous Hong Kong distillers. It was when Two Moons Distillery was finally greenlit for business; it was the moment of relieve for Ivan and his partner Dimple; it was, more importantly, the dawn of local liquor manufacturing—yet another product, after craft beers and many others, that has the potential of carrying the good name of Hong Kong to other parts of the world.
If you are as amazed by Two Moons’ story as I do, don’t miss their Signature Dry Gin—or its cocktail—next time you visit their partnered bars such as Ping Pong Gintonería and Dr. Ferns. Or, if you have a group of like-minded gin-thusiasts, perhaps booking a private guided tour to their distillery will be more to your taste. Either way, cheers!
#twomoons #twomoonsdistillery #craftgin #localgin #luna #discoverhongkong #explorehongkong #visithongkong #hongkongtravel #ilovehongkong #salehk #discounthk #hkshopping #hkshops #hkshop #hongkongnightlife #hknightlife #hongkongparty #hkparty #timetoparty #partymood #hkbar
