Slow Boat Brewery was founded in Beijing in 2011 by two Americans, Daniel Hebert and Chandler Jurinka, shortly after Great Leap had opened the way. It takes its name from the song 'Slow Boat to China'. Its Chinese name, 悠航, means roughly 'leisurely voyage'.
Where other Beijing brewers experimented with Chinese ingredients, Slow Boat became known for faithful versions of classic styles, IPAs, porters and lagers, which made it a favourite with expatriates. It started in a hutong taproom and later opened a three-storey venue in Sanlitun.