Thread: The sad state of brewing in Thailand

According to rate a beer Beer Ratings, brewer, brewpub, bar, beer reviews and more these are the best brews in Thailand headed by Londoners pride produced at the Londoner. I havn't been there for 5 years or so, but the last time I sampled this crap, Heineken seemed like a better choice for the 2 nd beer.

Name Brewer Ratings Score
1 Londoners Pride Cream BitterLondoner Brew Pub 10 2.99
2 SinghaBoon Rawd Brewery 640 2.28
3 Singha DraftBoon Rawd Brewery 18 2.2
4 Chang LagerThai Beverages 93 2.16
5 Amarit NBSan Miguel Thailand 21 2.15
6 Singha GoldBoon Rawd Brewery 53 2.11
7 Chang Beer Thai Beverages 54 1.95
8 Phuket Lager BeerSan Miguel Thailand 115 1.95
9 Kloster Bier (Thailand)Boon Rawd Brewery 18 1.93
10 Singha LightBoon Rawd Brewery 17 1.63
11 Leo BeerBoon Rawd Brewery 34 1.61
12 Thai BeerBoon Rawd Brewery 23 1.43
13 ArchaThai Beverages 15 1.29

What a sad state of affairs for the beer drinker.
In my own country there are Dozens of boutique brewers producing some fine ales.
My favorite being the beers at Renaissance brewery in Blenhiem. Lovingly crafted ale produced by people who love beer almost as much as I do.
In Thailand the law governing micro breweries is set up to restrict them to a certain volume, I.e they have to produce a minimum level and not more than a specified maxium, as well getting a brewing licence is only for those with plenty of time, money and good connections.
All designed to protect the big brewers.
Even Beer Lao ditched plans to distribute its beer in Thailand, I bet this was under threat from the Thai brewers. All a great pity for the beer drinker because we are stuck with few choices and local brewed crap.

Originally Posted by peterpan

All a great pity for the beer drinker because we are stuck with few choices and local brewed crap.

Indeed and I'm also from a beer drinking country.
Not same as yours though...

Chang ahead of Kloster Bier?

Evidently, the panel was well mao.

Originally Posted by peterpan

Even Beer Lao ditched plans to distribute its beer in Thailand, I bet this was under threat from the Thai brewers.

Actually, Beer Laos asked for the 'Beer Free Market Zone' to be postponed for 3 or 4 years as their market wasn't mature enough to compete with the Thai brewers.

But yes, until the law is changed, you cannot feasibly make a boutique beer. Which reminds me...

^ Yes, thats the story, but do you believe it ?
Beer Lao would have access to market probably in real purchasing terms > 20 times larger than their home market, so even if they lost all of their home market of which they have a 90% share they would be better off.
In reality their only problem if they did enter Thailand would be one of not being able to meet the market demand.

Anyway in which way are they unable to compete with Thai brewers? quality its a far better beer or price, 8 baht a bottle.

They are afraid that the Thai beers will swamp the Laotian market to their detriment. I'm inclined to agree. For sure their beer is by far the best in the region, but Thais wouldn't know quality if it bit them on the arse. They will continue to buy the shit produced here, because it is produced here, so Beer Lao may not make that much of a dent in the Thai market.

^ OK, I am thinking with my farang brain, your are most likely right.

Damn shame too. I can (almost) see Laos from my home, but can't buy Beer Lao in the supermarket. A few pints of G went down like a charm yesterday PP, cheers.

^ The Beer Laos importer is in Nong Khai though. Can't you just buy direct?

Nong Khai is a very long changwat. I don't live in muang. When I go to the city, I can buy it, but the Tesco Lotus and other supermarkets in my town have none. Incidentally, I've asked, but they've never heard of the new Issan Beer either.

Sad state of affairs when alcoholic Cockney's get to rate your beer for yer.

^