As of 2007 and 2008 I have begun to party a fair bit less than my London years but continue to enjoy a tipple or two on a regular basis.
I don’t drink everyday and limit my consumption to weekends and Mondays.
I avoid my previous drink of choice (large bottles of vodka) and prefer to sup on beer and wine nowadays.
So why do I drink?
For me it is not a social thing.
I have never much cared for big gatherings or endless work parties and while I regularly endure both with a drink in hand they are not the main cause for my drinking.
For me the optimum combination is good booze, fine food and an excellent backdrop.
Garden barbeques with a bottle of beer, gin and tonics with Satays at a beach bar and champagne with fresh seafood on a friend’s yacht are among the best examples.
I drink because it is enjoyable and intend to continue doing so in the best of surroundings and most favourable of situations.
Other people are free to do as they like and who am I to judge?
Asian Whisky A Go Go
It is hard to say what is worse; the general lack of decent beer in Asia or the native population’s taste for crap whisky.
Due to a holiday season extended by endless work related parties that revolved around massive consumption of Johnnie Walker I did not have much capacity for beer or anything else in most of January.
Chinese New Year combined with an astonishing number of wedding and birthday parties led to an alcohol sodden start to February and even more Johnnie Walker.
Recovery is now underway and I hope to continue my regular sampling of the good, the bad and the ugly beers that Asia has to offer.
Due to a holiday season extended by endless work related parties that revolved around massive consumption of Johnnie Walker I did not have much capacity for beer or anything else in most of January.
Chinese New Year combined with an astonishing number of wedding and birthday parties led to an alcohol sodden start to February and even more Johnnie Walker.
Recovery is now underway and I hope to continue my regular sampling of the good, the bad and the ugly beers that Asia has to offer.
Tiger Beer roars and pours in Laos
My first Laotian beer update is not about the national brew but the new foreign arrival from Singapore.
Last month Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) announced that their domestic operations in the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic would be brewing Tiger Beer before the end of the year.
While Tiger has been available as a high-end, premium import in the country for over a decade APB decided that the market was now mature enough to support a brewery that competes with the excellent, but somewhat monopolistic, Beerlao.
APB prefers to brew domestically rather than rely on imports and now has operations in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and China as well as many other countries around the globe.
Good Morning Vientiane
My long awaited reconnaissance mission to Laos took place recently and has provided me with enough Communist beer related stories to fill this blog for at least a month.
More to come shortly…
More to come shortly…
Beer Lao Draft on the Mekong
“Bia Sot” and “Nam Kawn” (“Fresh Beer” and “Ice”) are the two things you have to be able to say if you are to enjoy a trip in the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos.It is only in this tiny and remote Communist country that you can drink Beerlao fresh from a beer tap.
When I arrived in Vientiane the first thing I did after checking into my hotel was go out and order a pitcher of this golden nectar at a nearby bar overlooking the Mekong.
The taste of Beerlao Draft renders any notion of canned or bottled beer completely obsolete.
The beer tastes amazingly pure and fresh thanks to the close proximity of the Beerlao brewery.
The picture says it all really…
Temporarily out of action
A combination of an evil computer virus and the early onset of the monsoon has laid me and several blog post temporarily out of action.
Luckily my computer guy is on it and has only taken 1 week to feedback to me that "Your computer have problem!"...........
There will be more beer blogging to come soon I drunkenly promise!
Luckily my computer guy is on it and has only taken 1 week to feedback to me that "Your computer have problem!"...........
There will be more beer blogging to come soon I drunkenly promise!
Mini Sapporo Beer in Hong Kong
This mini can of Sapporo is something I picked up from a 7-11 near to the hotel I was staying at in Hong Kong.In the photo the Carlsberg is a normal 330ml and the Sapporo was tiny in comparison, although the pricing was quite similar.
Sapporo tastes good whether in bottle or can and the 7-11's in Hong Kong really have their fridges turned up to full power so the beer was icy cold and ready to drink.
I finished it in one gulp.
Very nice indeed.
Tsingtao - Proud sponsor of the 2008 Beijing Olympics
The Tsingtao in Hong Kong was really, really fresh.An absolute pleasure to drink.
It is available in every bar, restaurant and minimart as the defacto beer of choice.
I drank it out of cans, bottles and draft (I think did anyway) and it was by far the best I have ever had when compared to the Tsingtao I have consumed in other countries.
As far as the Olympics go the athletes of the world should be more than catered for alcoholically either in their celebrations or commiserations.
Roll on Beijing!
Prime Max - The bastard cousin of Hite
I have never been to South Korea and if the beer is anything to go by I never intend to.Prime Max is another brew from the Hite Brewery in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul who amazingly enough manage to have a majority share of the domestic beer market.
I can only imagine how appaling the competitor's beer must be!
Prime Max is meant to be a more premium beer than Hite and charges a slightly higher price while claiming to have a more complex flavour.
I couldn't notice much difference.
Neither beer is very nice, even when properly chilled.
When both beers start to warm up they taste pretty bad.
The slogan is the real clincher proclaiming loudly that the brew is a "delicious idea".
A nice idea more like....
Gold Benthanh – Indulge the success, enjoy the quality
I am a bit annoyed at having to write this beer review.
It is not the beer’s fault but I had previously done a write up only to find later that a virus had wiped away all of my alcoholic musings.
Gold Benthanh is a Vietnamese beer that is not appallingly dreadful nor much to write home about.
It is a beer that has a “by the numbers” feel to it as if the brewers concentrated more on the spreadsheet and sales projections than the actual brew.
The website is a hoot and is packed full of English transliterations that make for a fun read.
Apparently Gold Benthanh is “Best use after freezing” and the stated ingredients are “Water, 100% wheat, houbon, alcohol 4.7%”.
I do often wonder whether Asian beers ever enter into the brewing process and can’t help thinking that most breweries prefer just to add a bucket of anti-freeze into the mix instead….
Pearl River Lager Beer – Since 1985
This brew is a typical German style lager so commonly found in China, although this one comes with a 1980’s style ring pull.Guangzhou Zhujiang Brewery launched Pearl River in 1985 and has achieved continuing popularity with China’s beer drinkers.
As with everything else in China this beer is now being exported across the region but has yet to make any significant impact in the alcoholic global consciousness.
Pearl River is fairly drinkable and I can find no reason to speak ill of it, although given a choice I would definitely prefer a Tsingtao.
Pacifico Clara – Imported Beer from Mexico
This is a well traveled beer that is imported from Mexico into the USA, where it has a popular following, then gets sent around the world to random places in Asia.Considering the beer knocks up more air miles than I do it still manages to hold its own when compared to other Mexican imports such as Corona.
Pacifico Clara has more character than your average lightweight Mexican brew and its bottle boasts a distinctive yellow label that helps it stand out on the shelf and in the bar.
It is a pilsner that has been made at the Cerveceria del Pacifico brewery in Mazatlan, Mexico since 1900 when three Germans launched the beer.
The brewery is now owned by brewing giant Grupo Modelo which in turn is part owned by another giant, Anheuser-Busch.
In terms of taste and quality Pacifico Clara compares favourably with local beers but with only a trickle of supply and such a long delivery route there is no chance of it ever competing with Asia’s beer oligarchs.
You Beer – Special Lager
You Beer is a special beer.
I know this because it says so on the can!
The beer certainly is special in its own way, like many other chemi-brews it stands out thanks largely to the noxious fumes that are released upon cracking open the can.
The aftertaste can also be described as special – not quite soapish nor completely chemical, it is uniquely disgusting.
From what I gather this beer is made in Vietnam and exported to any country that will take it.
You Beer is especially bad.
I know this because it says so on the can!
The beer certainly is special in its own way, like many other chemi-brews it stands out thanks largely to the noxious fumes that are released upon cracking open the can.
The aftertaste can also be described as special – not quite soapish nor completely chemical, it is uniquely disgusting.
From what I gather this beer is made in Vietnam and exported to any country that will take it.
You Beer is especially bad.
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!
Myanmar Beer in a Can
In my previous visits to Myanmar I have only ever encountered Myanmar Beer in 640ml bottles but thanks to a recent export drive cans of the brew are now making their way across the continent to friendly markets such as Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.
The beer is just as good in a can and is well-suited to the Southeast Asian climate with a dry yet balanced full-bodied taste with a healthy level of carbonation.
Despite international sanctions from America and Europe most Asian countries could not care less about Myanmar’s domestic shenanigans and are more than happy to trade with the country.
Myanmar Brewery Limited is now an established corporate entity and also brews a number of international beers under license including Tiger Beer, ABC Stout and Anchor Beer.
This remains a very good Asian beer.
The beer is just as good in a can and is well-suited to the Southeast Asian climate with a dry yet balanced full-bodied taste with a healthy level of carbonation.
Despite international sanctions from America and Europe most Asian countries could not care less about Myanmar’s domestic shenanigans and are more than happy to trade with the country.
Myanmar Brewery Limited is now an established corporate entity and also brews a number of international beers under license including Tiger Beer, ABC Stout and Anchor Beer.
This remains a very good Asian beer.
BeerAsia 2008 Resolutions Update
I actually managed to lived up to most of last year’s resolutions:
- I drank very little Johnnie Walker
- I enjoyed lots and lots of Beer Lao
- I visited the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos and smuggled lots of beer back with me
- I continued my campaign against crappy Thai beer
- But I was unable to encourage freedom and democracy in Burma as a means of international availability of Beer Myanmar.
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.
Chang, Budweiser, Heineken, Stella Beer Joke
After the Great Britain Beer Festival, in London, all the brewery presidents decided to go out for a beer.
The guy from Chang sits down and says, "Hey bartender, I would like the world's best beer, a Chang." The bartender dusts off a bottle from the shelf and gives it to him.
The guy from Budweiser says, "I'd like the best beer in the world, give me 'The King Of Beers', a Budweiser." The bartender gives him
one.
The guy from Heineken says, "I'd like the only beer made with fresh spring water, give me a Heineken" He gets it.
The guy from Stella sits down and says, "Give me a Coke." The bartender is a little taken aback, but gives him what he ordered.
The other brewery presidents look over at him and ask "Why aren't you drinking a Stella" and the Stella president replies, "Well, I figured if you guys aren't drinking beer, neither would I."
The guy from Chang sits down and says, "Hey bartender, I would like the world's best beer, a Chang." The bartender dusts off a bottle from the shelf and gives it to him.
The guy from Budweiser says, "I'd like the best beer in the world, give me 'The King Of Beers', a Budweiser." The bartender gives him
one.
The guy from Heineken says, "I'd like the only beer made with fresh spring water, give me a Heineken" He gets it.
The guy from Stella sits down and says, "Give me a Coke." The bartender is a little taken aback, but gives him what he ordered.
The other brewery presidents look over at him and ask "Why aren't you drinking a Stella" and the Stella president replies, "Well, I figured if you guys aren't drinking beer, neither would I."
Chang Beer Wins Gold Medal at 2008 World Beer Championships
http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20090109/bs_prweb/prweb1841854
The distinguished tasting panel described Chang as: "Bright golden color. Honeyed raisin toast aromas with a hint of lychee follow through on a crisp, smooth entry to a dryish medium body with a hint of apple, nut, and a solid roasted grain character. Finishes with a crisp, balanced earthy hop and pizza dough fade. A very nice food beer."
Now it is true that Chang tastes okay for a Thai beer and if you are willing to ignore the accompanying God awful "Changover" then it is feasible for the beer to win an award.
But how the hell did they come up with that taste description?
Makes you wonder about the effects formaldehyde can have on the brain...
The distinguished tasting panel described Chang as: "Bright golden color. Honeyed raisin toast aromas with a hint of lychee follow through on a crisp, smooth entry to a dryish medium body with a hint of apple, nut, and a solid roasted grain character. Finishes with a crisp, balanced earthy hop and pizza dough fade. A very nice food beer."
Now it is true that Chang tastes okay for a Thai beer and if you are willing to ignore the accompanying God awful "Changover" then it is feasible for the beer to win an award.
But how the hell did they come up with that taste description?
Makes you wonder about the effects formaldehyde can have on the brain...
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
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
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