We’re used to crawling through backstreets, laneways and half-forgotten warehouses in search of a good pint, but Singapore’s LeVeL33 sits a little higher than most. Thirty-three floors higher, to be exact.

Perched 149.3 metres above ground, LeVeL33 is billed as the world’s highest urban microbrewery and has the Guinness record to prove it. Beer is brewed on site, the terrace looks out across Marina Bay towards Marina Bay Sands, and the whole operation leans closer to fine dining than anything resembling a local. It’s fair to say this was a brewery unlike any we’d visited. Three words: Beer High Tea.

The LeVel33 tasting paddle of beer overlooking Marina Bay in Singapore. — *The LeVel33 tasting paddle overlooking Marina Bay*

The Story

Argentina’s Gabriel Garci, trained in Germany as a brewmaster, is the talent behind the beers since 2012. In addition to being the only microbrewery in Singapore using 100% certified organic malt and hops, the brewery itself is a construction marvel. As a ground crane couldn’t reach the 33rd floor, parts of the building’s facade had to be removed to install special modular cranes to lift in all the brewing equipment. There’s also backup 1,000 litre water tank hauled up there to supplement the tower’s water supply.

The Space

LeVeL33 is built to be something other than your typical brewery visit, pairing quality dining with its range of core and seasonal beers. With limited time in Singapore, the promise of a “High Beer” sitting—yes, effectively a high tea with beer—was enough to get us through the door.

The “33” in the name refers to its perch on the thirty-third floor of Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1. On a Wednesday afternoon, as office workers filtered back from lunch, we escaped the Singaporean humidity and took the dedicated lift straight to the top.

As the name implies, it’s an… elevated experience. Inside, it’s all sleek, contemporary restaurant design, with stainless steel tanks and polished copper kettles reminding you this is still very much a working brewery.

The terrace, though, is the real draw, looking out over the harbour towards Marina Bay Sands and the surrounding skyline. There’s a minimum spend for evening and sunset sittings out here and, unlike most breweries we visit, a dress code. No slippers, flip-flops, slides, sportswear, beachwear, or singlets for men. Shorts and T-shirts are fine, and frankly advisable in that humidity.

The Beer

The core range at LeVeL33 leans traditional: a blond lager, IPA, stout, house porter, and wheat beer (or weissbier, if you prefer). Seasonal specials rotate through as well, and the Weizenbock (a collaboration with Erdinger) was a genuinely refreshing drop during our visit.

One of the signature offerings is the Brut Beer, brewed with Champagne Barons de Rothschild yeast and fermented a second time in the bottle (much like a sparkling wine) giving it a crisp, dry finish and a light, champagne-like fizz.

We’ll be honest: these aren’t necessarily the first beers we’d reach for. They’re clean, light-bodied, and well-suited to Singapore’s often oppressive heat, but after a night on more flavour-forward offerings from local outfits like Alive Brewing and Brewlander, they felt a little too safe.

The Food

Aside from the view, this was the highlight. We opted for the “High Beer”, which runs much like a traditional afternoon tea—just with beer. A tasting paddle of five pours (four core beers and one seasonal) is paired with a tiered selection of savoury and sweet dishes.

Three share plates cover a bread course, sliders, and spring rolls, followed by dessert. Or whatever order you feel like. Our server was very kind and kept the dessert out in the fridge for us, as it would have quickly melted in the 31°C (or 88°F) temperature.

Thankfully, the vegetarian option isn’t treated as an afterthought: the black bean sliders and vegetable spring rolls were standouts. Dessert, shared with the main menu, included Mini Mango & Rum Roasted Pineapple Tarts and a burnt pavlova with IPA jelly —because apparently, we can’t escape the Antipodes.

If you’re after something more traditional, there’s also an executive set lunch, an à la carte menu, and a selection of “beer bites”. We didn’t try it ourselves, but there’s a vegan menu as well.

Is it worth the visit?

We tend to gravitate towards local taprooms and breweries, and if you’re staying in the city, somewhere like Smith Street Taps in Chinatown will offer a broader and more adventurous range of beer.

Still, if you’re after a unique experience, not to mention a stunning view to go with your pint, it’s hard to argue with what LeVeL33 brings to the table.

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