I do enjoy a nice cold beer from time to time, especially whilst living in the sweltering tropics! Thailand has a long reputation for having cheap - if fairly plain - beer. The "Big Three" Thai Beers, Singh, Chang, and Leo, all taste qyite similar. They are light, crisp, and refreshing (especially when served Thai-style over ice). Craft beer, however, has really struggled to find a foothold in Thailand due to the kingdom's strict brewing regulations.
Recently, however, 7-Eleven convenience stores have begun stocking a small selection of interesting new beers. It's nothing like what you can find at a "
konbini"* in Japan, but it's something new for Thailand! Over the past few months, I've given each of these new beers a try. They may not be the boldest or most exciting of craft beers, but it's a great start for Thailand! Here are my thoughts.
* Kombini - a Japanese convenience store
Siam Weizen Cheers Selection
Siam Weizen - Alc. 4.0%
Brewed by Cheers Brewery, Nonthaburi, Thailand
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| Siam Weizen |
The first beer to try has is actually my favorite of the four I'll write about today. The can depicts a Thai khon mask of a giant, used in the traditional Thai opera. It's a beer brewed with Thai flavors and culture in mind.
The beer is a light yellow weizen, and is brewed with Thai lime leaves for a uniquely tropical flavor. It's light, a little cloudy, and super refreshing.
Huntsman Cloudy Wheat Beer
Huntsman - Alc. 4.0%
Brewed by ThaiBev, Ayutthaya, Thailand
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| Huntsman Cloudy Wheat Beer |
This is a fairly standard wheat beer. It's a bit cloudy, with a richer taste than the regular offerings. It's Thailand's attempt at a European-style lager, and honestly, it's pretty good! There are no flavors that especially stand out, but it's a good, fairly standard wheat beer.
Snow Weizen by EST.33
Snowy Weizen - Alc. 4.0%
Brewed by Est.33, Bangkok, Thailand
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| Snowy Weizen |
The can looks like it came from Colorado, but this wheat beer actually came from right here in the Big Mango. This wheat beer is a bit similar to a Hoegaarden or a Blue Moon. It's a bit light, but very cloudy. The can suggests tilting to "rouse the protein and yeast". When I did that, it made the pour even more cloudy than it was before. I guess if you use your imagination you can imagine a snowfall! All in all, a good beer... one of my favorite types!
Kopper Craft by EST.33
Kopper Craft - Alc. 4.5%
Brewed by Est.33, Bangkok, Thailand
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| Kopper Craft Beer |
This beer is brewed with "gaba rice"... whatever that is! It gives the drink a unique copper coloring. It's a bit sharper than the other beers, but still smooth (as Thai beers tend to be). Of all the beers on offer, this one was the most "crafty". It's the beer that deviates the most from the standard offerings. Kopper Craft is an English pale ale. It's a tiny bit hoppy. Nothing like a strong IPA, but a bit more bitter than Thai beers tend to be. Although it wasn't my favorite, it was the most encouraging. It's the boldest brew, and the biggest sign to me that Thailand is taking a huge step towards being braver in their beer brewing.
Black Dragon Red Beer
Black Dragon- Alc. 4.0%
Brewed by ThaiBev, Ayutthaya, Thailand
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| Black Dragon Red Beer |
The final beer that I'm reviewing today is Black Dragon. It's a "red beer", and it really is red when it's poured! The beer is a little bit sweet, with a light taste of caramel hops. This beer certainly has the coolest can of all of them! In fact, I liked the logo so much that I even bought a Red Dragon glass at the store the other day!
Overall, I like these slightly crafty beers a bit better than the standard Thai beers, although they are also about twice the price. They might be best for a special occasion!
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