The colourful and absurd characters, drawn by the owner, unfailingly feature four eyes, a big red nose and goofy grin (All photos: Quincy Tan/The Edge)
The Klang Valley’s drinking scene, like its culture, is a vibrant one. From uppity quadruple-digit fine dines and wines to snazzy sites of haute mixology, all the way down to the midnight mamak teh o ais — all genres of beverages must be accounted for — there is a deeply connective social dynamic inhered in the acts of pouring, clinking and sipping together. When it comes to kicking back and spending quality time with friends over a couple of tipples, you would be hard-pressed to find a poison that works quite as swiftly as a couple of ice-cold brewskis.
It is this commitment to the casual and candid that serves Monster and Beer well in its journey as Taman Paramount’s rising star of a watering hole. Laidback yet full of life, the five-year-old Petaling Jaya establishment’s retro sign and quirky, colourful illustrations strike an intriguing balance somewhere between izakaya, kopitiam and hipster café. But for its chill look, the high calibre of this place’s libations list is nothing to scoff at.
Two of Monster and Beer’s own creations were available on tap during our visit. The M&B Jom! Lager (RM25) is light and lively, with a pleasant yeastiness and fresh floral palate. Meanwhile, the Syok! IPA (RM30) is a more robust personality, ripe with tropical touches of ciku and rambutan with a prominent mineral body. Frosty and frothy, these drafts are the classic flavours, making the mugs both sensible openers and suitable as night-long companions.
If you find the spirit moving you towards the great wall to the right of the space, though, absolutely let it. Here, a serious selection of craft cans and bottles are displayed rather impressively on orange shelves, with prices scribed above each offering. Higher on average than the house pulls, a few extra coins from the coffer are worth the truly delightful bevy of beverages just waiting to be sampled. Each beer is plucked fresh from the chiller and poured by the staff before being brought to your table, ensuring a professional proportion of head to body, served in a glass stamped with the outlet’s own cartoon emblem.
The first draw of the Fox Hat Bearded Mongrel Stout (RM37) may shock those more familiar with the gold harp-bearing species of the dark drink. Bursting with chocolate on the nose and thick, molasses and brown sugar sweetness on the palate, this liquid Maillard reaction derives its saccharine quality from being aged in bourbon barrels. The caramelised, lightly vanilla essence is full without being overbearing, going down smoothly despite the unexpectedly punchy 10.8% alcohol by volume. As the tongue acclimates to the sweetness, one begins to appreciate the bitter nuances beneath, making for a unique and complex result.
For a more refreshing and aromatic profile, the Heroes x LockCha Phoenix Oolong Pale Ale (RM36) from Hong Kong is an exuberantly fragrant brew that leads with fruity lychee, sprightly citrus and invigorating florals on the nose, accompanied by a powerful perfume of tea on the palate. The maltiness in the base is tame yet offers enough balance to the oolong’s medium tannin finish. The amber liquid’s haziness comes as a result of the abundant amounts of tea added during the cold brew process.
beers.jpg
Of course, everybody knows chilly tankards of the wheaty fizz are best accompanied by plates of salty, meaty or fatty bites. Given “beer” is in the establishment’s name, a non-halal label would seem more than redundant, but the menu here, like the audacious artwork, is not one to mince words — only meat. The Satu Babi Sausage (RM17) features (you guessed it) one large house-made link with a sweet mayo-esque dip and lightly pickled onions. Thoroughly seasoned with a pronounced hit of curry powder, this tasty snack is made all the better by the potato chips on the side, sliced and fried in-house, which are cut thicker than usual yet still preserve a nice shatter. Also recommended to us were the skewers: We opted for the octopus (RM11) and beef (RM10) varieties, as the scallop was not available. The former has a good char and more of a chew, with a sweet soy glaze, while the latter is pleasantly toothsome and heavy on the black pepper.
Perhaps less impressive are the Homemade Pork Gyoza (RM16), though not necessarily for a shortcoming of flavour. While the fillings are decently formulated, the torn, falling-apart wrappers and pale bottoms where one would ordinarily expect a handsome pan-fried crust make the dish a let down. Other food items like the Potato Salad with Bacon Crumble (RM10), a humble bowl of chunky mashed potatoes with lemony Kewpie that misses the usual crunch it gets from the thinly sliced carrots and cucumbers in a more traditional version, and Beef Tataki (RM20), tender slivers doused in a soy-based, vinegary sauce topped with spicy shichimi tōgarashi, more pickled onions and a king’s ransom of garlic chips, perpetuate the venue’s Japanese influence.
So too does the shelf of tinned goods, including delicacies such as mackerel curry or ankimo (monkfish liver) from the Land of the Rising Sun. For RM15, patrons can select whichever can that strikes their fancy to be heated up and enjoyed with their beverages. Though the food menu alone may not be sufficiently enticing enough to add Monster and Beer to our dinner roster, every dish undeniably shines when enjoyed with a cold stein to wash down the powerful flavours — it lets the hero sing, as any good sidekick should.
sosig.jpg
The locale also serves as a thriving community hub, often hosting events like beer workshops, open mics or its popular Inked and Drink evenings, making it a magnet for younger crowds. True to its maverick character, the place only opens on Mondays “if the mood is right”, but we are of the opinion the vibe here could hardly ever be wrong. Icy beers, satisfying eats and a fun ambience — what else do you need?
11 Jalan 20/13, Taman Paramount, Petaling Jaya. Tuesday to Sunday, 3pm to 11pm. Open occasionally on Mondays.
This article first appeared on Feb 17, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
