Gold Bear – It tastes exactly the same as Heineken!

This is a beer that not only looks like a bottle of Heineken it also tastes exactly the same.

Now anywhere else in the world that would be an insult but in Southeast Asia it is a quite favourable comment.

The bottle makes some reference to Singapore but my theory is that one of the many licensed Heineken breweries in the region is pulling a fast one and selling off some of the beer with a new label.

I would guess Vietnam, Thailand or Cambodia but who knows, maybe someone stole the secret recipe!

Phnom Penh Beer – Brewed & Canned in Cambodia

Phnom Penh has its first homegrown beer according to Cambodian blogger Vuthasurf. Strangely enough it is brewed and canned in Kampong Chhnang province, not Phnom Penh:

http://www.vuthasurf.com/2008/12/18/new-brand-of-phnom-penh-beer/

Yesterday, I went to visit the One Product One Province Expo at Modial Center in Phnom Penh, I then spotted the new brand of beer brewed in Cambodia, bearing the name “Phnom Penh Beer”.

This kind of beer just has been brewed at the early of this month in Kompong Chhnang province. I tasted it but I could not yet compare it with Angkor Beer. By the way, the Phnom Penh Beer will be able to enter the market to compete with the other beers.

Anchor Beer: Thailand versus Cambodia

Cambodian expats have been abuzz about the origins of their much favoured tipple, Anchor.

Since late 2008 there have been several versions of the beer available in Cambodia: one version is the "original brew" and made in Kien Svay, another made by a Cambodian company by the name of HBL and a third, decidedly inferior, version made in Thailand.

Comments on a local expat site chart this most annoying of alcoholic inconveniences:

"Some shops are selling dodgy Anchor Beer made in Thailand and tastes nowhere near as good as the Cambodian made stuff"

"Domestic demand for Anchor exceeds the brewery's ability to supply - thus the excess is being sourced from Thai brewers until they can increase capacity. The Thai stuff is lower quality and you can tell by the can - make sure you buy the stuff marked made in Kandal province..."

"Locally produced beer gets shafted on taxes while the crap smuggled over the border manages to evade a lot of that so I figure there is economic incentive too"

Eventually somebody in the know posted some good news:

"The imported, Thai made, version is no longer in the market and was stopped as a supplier several months ago now"


http://www.expat-advisory.com/forums/topic7595.html

http://www.expat-advisory.com/forums/topic7602.html

Kingdom Breweries and their Clouded Leopard Pilsener - A Beer of Rare Quality

Kingdom Breweries is the newest beer producer in Cambodia and is certainly an interesting addition to the market. Backed by an international hedge fund and under the direction of German brewmaster Peter Haupenthal and management of CEO Peter Brongers this is a very professional attempt at establishing a boutique brewery on the banks of the on tonle sap.

They launched their first offering to the Cambodian market at the beginning of October 2010 with Clouded Leopard Pilsener which naturally uses only the best German and Czech hops, premium German malt and top-quality water and so far the beer has been received well amongst the more discerning foreign residents and well-to-do tourists who are willing to pay more for a distinct tipple that stands out from the fierce competition of average "premium quality" lager beers.

While their capacity is miniscule compared to local giants such as CamBrew (Angkor, Bayon) and CBL (Anchor, Crown, ABC) Kingdom Breweries seems determined to stand out based on its consistency rather than volume with gradual expansion expected only as long as quality can be assured.

What the brewery says:

Though its naturally crisp finish does wonders for a bone-dry mouth and a sun-baked body, Kingdom’s Clouded Leopard Pilsener is infinitely more than an exceptional thirst quencher. Think of it as part of your essential travelling kit-its clean, zesty flavor refreshing every corner of your mind and body as you navigate an afternoon in the notorious Cambodian heat.

What I say:

This is a very exciting beer for expats who are so used to consistently average lagers or poor quality soapy piss. While maybe not exactly designed for local tastes I find the crisp, dry and slightly bitter taste most refreshing and it is enjoyable to drink a beer that you know people have dedicated their time and energy to making it just right.

Even Time Magazine was impressed enough to write a glowing article about the brewery: http://www.time.com/time/travel/article/0,31542,2020970,00.html#ixzz15psoSp1c

Kingdom Beer - A Cambodian International Prize Winning Beer

The hottest beer news in Cambodia right now is that Kingdom Beer has won the Le Monde Selection Gold medal from an international organisation in Belgium. Okay some of these awards have pretty lax process but I am happy to give some positive coverage to an Asian brewery that has really gone beyond the regional mass market beer making standards.

Most people either love it or hate it but their is no doubt that a lot of hard work has been put into making this beer, something the rest of the industry could take a lesson from.

Anyway here is the press blurb provided to you courtesy of the Kampuchean Associated Press (though I am sure they have just taken the original press release verbatim):

Phnom Penh April 25, 2011 AKP –
Kingdom Breweries (Cambodia) Ltd. has announced recently that “Kingdom Beer” won a gold medal from the International Institute for Quality Selection, Le Monde Selection, in Brussels, Belgium.

The announcement was made by Mr. Peter Brongers, CEO of Kingdom Breweries (Cambodia) Ltd., during a press conference held here last Friday.

It is the first time for Cambodia’s brewery to get such a prestige and award, he said, adding that the excited achievement is not only for Kingdom Breweries (Cambodia) Ltd, which has just started its business in the country six months ago, but for the entire Cambodian people.
People know that Cambodia is one of the best world’s tourist destinations, but they have never heard about Cambodia’s products and trademark, he said, stressing that this reward will reflect that Cambodian products and trademark can compete with other good products over the world.

The Awards Ceremony will be held in Brussels on May 24 in the presence of various ambassadors and many distinguished guests.
“Kingdom Beer” was among 100 different beers to join the international competition held in Brussels to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Independence Committee of the International Institute for Quality Selection.
Le Monde Selection was founded in 1961. Its mission is to test consumer products – beers, wines, soft drink, etc; – and grant them a bronze, silver, gold or grand gold quality award. –AKP