Heart of Darkness Craft Brewery

Heart of Darkness Craft Brewery is a craft beer taproom on Lý Tự Trọng street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. John Pemberton founded the brewery in 2016. The company’s name and beer branding draw inspiration from Joseph Conrad’s novella of the same name. The brewery’s production facility is in Bình Dương province, while the taproom operates in the city center.

The Saigon taproom features a long bar with 20 taps. These taps pour a rotating selection of beers, including core range brews and limited-release creations. The brewery has produced hundreds of different beers since its establishment. The venue serves a full food menu to accompany its beer selection. The interior design uses industrial elements, including exposed brick and a prominent bar.

Signature beers include Kurtz’s Insane IPA, Dream Alone Pale Ale, and the Director’s Cacao Nib Porter. The brewery sources ingredients both locally in Vietnam and from other countries. The beer menu often features IPAs, pilsners, stouts, and pale ales. The company also engages in collaborations with other international and local breweries to produce special editions.

Heart of Darkness has received multiple international awards for its beers. Medals have come from competitions like the Asia Beer Cup, the International Beer Cup in Tokyo, and the Australian International Beer Awards. The brand distributes its beers to several countries in Asia and beyond. The taproom serves both walk-in customers and larger groups.