Beer in Bangkok

A number of people have been asking about the beer in Bangkok.  Perhaps because we relocated from Wisconsin [aka the center of the known beer universe - if you can find a better three breweries to be located next to than New Glarus, Capital Brewery, and Lake Louie, I'm all ears], this is perhaps predictable.  New Year's Even day seems like a good time to post some analysis on the topic.  I can't say that I've had much time to scope out the local beer scene, but here's what I know so far:

1. There is 'local' beer, there is 'cheap local' beer, and there is imported beer.  I will only discuss local beer here.  Imported beer you already know, and, not to put on airs or anything, but I've been warned away from cheap local beer -- though I may just gather the courage to investigate that some point, understand what cheap means here.  Cheap in Thailand means less than, say, $.30 USD a standard size can or bottle, which as anyone from America knows, puts you in Malt Liquor territory.  So let's put that aside for the moment.

2. Local is easily defined as 'you can find it at the 7-11 outside your doorstep'.  Hey - don't laugh - convenience stores are much more convenient in an Asian megacity where getting anywhere is a half-day event

3. Bangkok is hot - so if you're thinking about anything but a lager, you're either homesick, or crazy.  This is December, and it's 'winter' in Bangkok, which means mid-80s+ for those of you using Fahrenheit.  Which means you can take your non-lager beers and go drink them where there is a few feet of snow on the ground.  In most parts of Asia, lager isn't even drinkable enough in the heat - rice is used as a fermentable to lighten the beer.  A side effect of this is to increase the alcohol content, which is a crying shame, I tell you.  The beers I'll show you here are 5-7%, depending on how you're counting.  For the Americans reading, that's about twice the kick, but you don't taste it.  Crying shame.

4.  Local beer is cheap.  A large bottle (about two cans in the US) is about 50 baht at a pretty expensive store (7-11).  That's about $1.40 USD, or $.70 a can.

Without further ado, here are some beers worth knowing about:

Singha is what I think of as the national beer of Thailand.  I don't think that's official or anything, but it's made in Thailand, and you can find it in Thailand, and any Thai restaurant you go to in the US has it, ergo...

It's actually Sam and my favorite beer we've had in Thailand so far.  I think that's because it's so well balanced - the hops are really well balanced with the malt/rice, and it's sort of spicy, which makes it go real well with Thai food (perhaps to be expected).  First rate.  Plus, it's very fresh here.

I've heard and read that some folks believe Singha (and other Thai beers) is made with formaldehyde.  I can pretty well say that's not true.  But believe what you like - if I have a choice, I'm choosing Singha.

We had heard cautionary tales about Chang (which means 'elephant' in Thai) before we even drank it -- it was also purported to be made with formaldehyde, and since it is cheaper than Singha, to contain more 'chemicals'.  We then had one at a bar (an English bar) and it didn't taste that great.  We gave it another go from the 7-11, and the one we had at the bar must have just been old and stale, because it tasted just fine.   Perhaps people going to an English pub don't generally order Thai beer.  Chang is a bit on the sweet side, which has us liking Singha better, but it is cheaper and has a bit more kick, so we forgive it.  Plus it's totally Thai (check out the label) and has great pictures of elephants on it, which will give a great metaphor for how your head feels the next morning after drinking too many - like it's getting crushed between two elephants.  Chang - I have no beef with you, and since you taught me some Thai when I learned how to say your name, you're alright in my book.  Here's to you, Beer Chang! (in Thai, adjectives come after nouns like 'beer' or 'hangover').

When we were in Singapore, we heard Tiger was the Singapore national beer.  Turns out it's brewed by Asia Pacific Breweries, which is a Malaysian company.   But close enough.  Tiger is another excellent lager, also well balanced.  But the fact that it's not from Thailand just gives a different feel when you're drinking it than Singha.  It just doesn't feel local enough.  And if there's anything Wisconsin teaches one about beer - it's buy local.  So cheers to Tiger, and it's a great beer, and it's great on tap, and it has a kickin tiger logo, but we still have to give the local Thai beer crown to - Singha!

This is not to say we will not also be drinking Chang and Tiger along with Singha - one of Thailand's hallmarks is tolerance, so we very much shy away from any position here that is too harsh - we welcome all three of these fine beers onto our table, and appreciate them for what they are.

So - that's the quick roundup of the local brew, as well as we can give it a few weeks in to our stay here.  Hope that helps!