For Shenzhen’s craft beer and live music lovers, a particularly momentous event will take place this Saturday: the Inaugural Shenzhen Craft Beer Festival, organized by the quick-to-rise and widely reputed Bionic Brewery, which will bring small batch, artisan-quality beer from Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and, of course, Shenzhen itself.

The festival will be the culmination of a bold effort from Joe, owner of Bionic Brew, to bring people who love making beer and those who appreciate their craft together. HK Beer Co. and Young Master Ales from Hong Kong, Strand Brewing from Guangzhou, and Slow Boat Brewery from Beijing – along with several Shenzhen breweries – will be featured at the festival.

For Joe, brewing beer is about having an honest line of a work with a tangible product to show for it. An ex-military man, he’s the type of guy you’d like to have on your side. Fortunately for Shenzhen, his dedication has been channeled into growing a beer scene in a city previously devoid of all hops tasteful, starting with his own brand and now nearly single-handedly bringing together some of China’s best brewmasters.

Not only will there be good beer, but there are nine bands playing throughout the day and evening, including local math rock / indie favorites Pokemon Dad, for whom the event will double as an album release party. Their debut LP, Casual Males, was recorded in Hong Kong this past winter and was released March 25th. Other bands that will take the stage are Friendly Cannons, Salty Air, Choked Zone, The Evil Deeds, Dragon Turtle, Spacefolk, The Mighty Orphans and Riven.

Tickets are RMB 50 before the event and can be purchased at Bionic Brew, NYPD Pizza and HK Brewcraft. At the door the price is RMB 100, which includes a beer before 6 p.m. and for RMB 200 you can receive three beers and a T-shirt. Food will be provided by NYPD Pizza, Shekou’s premier bakery HH Gourmet, the best falafel and chicken wrap maker in town Rose Cafe and American bar Frankie’s.

Getting to the event is relatively simple. If you’re coming by train, get off at Xiangmei North (香梅北站) and go out Exit B2. The venue is called 1979 and there will be signs leading the way. For more info, visit www.shenzhencraftbeer.com.