What's your favourite beer for the home?

[Liverpool Lou]

"What's your favourite beer for the home?"

Davenport's!

 

 

[spidermike007]

Beer Lao is the only good beer available here, unless you want to pay the premium for a decent import. Carabao is better than Chang, Singha and Tiger, but that is not saying much. You asked for it, so here goes:

 

Thai beer is only rivaled by Serbian beer, and the mass produced American beers, in terms of the very low quality. Poor grade of hops, barely, and the production process seems to be entirely lacking in pride. Typical of the big monopolies. Even a large production beer, like Beer Laos blows away any Thai beer, hands down. Thailand desperately needs a vital craft beer movement, and the youth are ready to mount it. If only the dinosaurs would stop protecting their "bankers" and move out of the way. In other words, allow some progress, you mindless simpletons!

Boon Rawd Brewery, which makes Singha, and ThaiBev, which brews Chang, the country’s best-selling beer, are owned and run by two of the wealthiest families in Thailand. Through longevity and political influence, these two breweries have dominated Thai beer for nearly a century, forcing out or crushing any competition, foreign or domestic. And we all know how they easily accomplish this.

Thaopipob Linjittkorn, or Thao as he is more popularly known, a lawyer and homebrewer, was very publicly arrested in 2017 for making beer. He used that publicity to win an election to Parliament in 2019, along with 80 other members of the Future Forward Party. This progressive, pro-democracy party included in its platform a detailed plan to deregulate the beer industry, as well as a proposal for the legalization of marijuana, citing both as ways of putting money into the pockets of small businesses and local farmers.

The opposition that Future Forward was up against is a military-backed, hardline government that supports the duopoly with strict regulations that allow it to control over 99% of Thailand’s estimated 180 billion baht ($5.8 billion) beer industry. The duopoly was originally made untouchable with the first Thai Liquor Control Act in 1950, a law which has been amended several times since to push legality even further out of reach of any small brewer. Prayuth's administration has done much to reinforce the isolationist and nationalistic policies that Phibul established in the 1940s and ’50s, and has called again and again for citizens to display a certain level of “Thainess,” which the PM defines in part as unquestioning loyalty to the government. Do not be disobedient!

For small breweries, it requires production of at least 100,000 liters (852 barrels) but no greater than 1,000,000 liters (8,520 BBLs), and stipulates that all beer must be sold on the premises. At the same time, the minimum amount for an industrial license was increased from one million liters to 10 million liters (85,200 BBLs) per year, as well as requiring that the brewer demonstrate available capital of at least 10 million baht ($320,000).

Just to make sure small brewers were thoroughly intimidated, the rewrite also increased inflated penalties. Fines were increased from their original, almost quaint 200 baht ($6) for possession of bootleg alcohol to 10,000 ($300). For actually brewing without a license, fines were increased from 5,000 baht ($150) to a range of 50,000–100,000 baht ($1,600–$3,200), plus jail time. Reporting in 2017, The Bangkok Post estimated that in order to meet the new regulations, a brewer would need to have a billion baht—around $30 million—in start-up capital.

For some, craft beer is associated with anti-establishment politics. “It’s very similar to the French Revolution, which started from a cafe in Paris, where people drank coffee,” says Taopiphop. “The fuel of the revolution is not coffee any more, it’s craft beer.” Taopiphop adds that, after the 2014 coup in Thailand, many pro-democracy activists chose to meet in Bangkok’s craft beer bars.

If only the younger Thais were allowed to express themselves, be inventive, be creative, be industrious, and use their smarts and ambition, Thailand could have a future. Craft beer is needed here, and so are the young entrepreneurs. But, that future appears to be suppressed at every turn by dinosaurs, who only answer to money, money, and even more money. Money is the God of lesser men. The money first attitude is holding back Thailand on so many levels.

[sandyf]

22 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I buy cans and drink out of a wine glass, makes it taste better, lately i keep going back to Tapper 6.5% leaves you a little fuzzy after one or two.

 

I need to buy another case of something

I usually have Tapper in, great when watching TV.

I also  like that Carabao Dunkel that has come out, being a dark malt beer not so gassy as the average, goes down a bit too easy. Made by Tawangdang.

[Tropicalevo]

13 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

f only the younger Thais were allowed to express themselves, be inventive, be creative, be industrious, and use their smarts and ambition, Thailand could have a future. Craft beer is needed here, and so are the young entrepreneurs. But, that future appears to be suppressed at every turn by dinosaurs, who only answer to money, money, and even more money. Money is the God of lesser men. The money first attitude is holding back Thailand on so many levels.

 

That is why some 'Thai' craft beer breweries are just over the border in Laos.

[ross163103]

22 hours ago, StraightTalk said:

Try Asahi and/or Sapporo. Beer Lao Dark and Gold/Lager are a very good brews as well.

 

A man after my own heart, love all these, especially Asahi and Beer Lao dark!

[delgarcon]

I have a sentimental reason for drinking San Miguel. Back in 1974/75 I had a bar cafeteria in Benidorm and I stocked up with San Miguel at 4 pesetas a bottle and it was a half decent beer. I buy San Miguel Lite from Makro now and it's still a half decent beer.

[Baht Simpson]

If you like IPA beer Beerlao IPA is good, as is Snowy IPA, bo in the New England style.  I finally found a Tawendeng IPA but I've not tried it yet. I also picked up Nitehunter IPA in Tops. It' a new name for me but again I have yet to get around to it.

 

I had a bottle of Kristoffer Blonde which was nice and reasonably priced in Tops.

 

Also picked up a Weihenstephaner Vitus, Leffe Brun and St. Bernadus Abt. 12, all excellent.

 

Still got a number of purchased beers to try in the fridge. 

 

 

[Baht Simpson]

On 6/20/2024 at 5:58 PM, scubascuba3 said:

I buy cans and drink out of a wine glass, makes it taste better, lately i keep going back to Tapper 6.5% leaves you a little fuzzy after one or two.

 

I need to buy another case of something

If you like IPA try Snowy IPA in 7/11. It's a good effort and resonably priced. 

[Baht Simpson]

On 6/20/2024 at 6:05 PM, KhunLA said:

Kind of quit, not officially, but can't remember last time I had a beer.   Was in Tops today, and if they had cold Beer Lao Dark, I might of picked up 2, as wife hanging out at sis's tonight.

 

Quite liked Kopper Craft, but no longer available, and lost my taste for Snowy, as was runner up to cheap suds.

The Snowy Weizen you mean. Try the IPA.

[Ralf001]

Got Brewdog Punk IPA and and Black heart on the taps at the moment... they are going ok.

[Baht Simpson]

On 6/20/2024 at 7:10 PM, Tropicalevo said:

Nite Hunter IPA (6.8%) Thai beer.

Orion The Dark (Okinawa).

M32 IPA Thai beer

Carabao Dunkel

Tawandang IPA

 

All in Tops

 

And a few more.

Fed up after 24 years of lager.

What's the Nitehunter IPA like? Not seen the M32 yet.

[Baht Simpson]

23 hours ago, HighPriority said:

The Weihenstephaner is superb. 

I like them all. A treat now and again at these prices though.

[Baht Simpson]

23 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Now we are talking. Weihenstephaner is really good, but soon close to 200 bath a bottle. However, worth every sip and baht.

 

Erdinger Weissbier and Paulaner are also good, and actually quite common in Lotus´s and Tops of what I have seen.

Agreed.  Talking of Paulaner, the Paulaner Hefe Weissbier Alkoholfrei is by my lights the best alcohol free beer you can get here. Curiously though it's priced similar to full-alcohol versions.

[Baht Simpson]

18 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

As far as I know different kinds of beer are more or less sensitive to heat. And some can be stored for (I think) years, others not. It's not all the same.

 

They're sensitive to changes in heat and excessive light. Well made beers more often than not come in brown bottles to block sunlight and UV. Belgian beers tend last well after their drink by date. 

 

Some imported beers might not travel well but I've not encountered that yet.

[Baht Simpson]

18 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Got Brewdog Punk IPA and and Black heart on the taps at the moment... they are going ok.

I looked at the Brewdog in Tops but at 200b+  a can I think I shall keep looking at it.

[Ralf001]

21 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Got Brewdog Punk IPA and and Black heart on the taps at the moment... they are going ok.

Kegs are the go.

[JeffersLos]

20 hours ago, JeffersLos said:

 

Is that even a beer?

 

I looked at it and it's like they weren't allowed to call it beer on the can. Alcoholic malt based beverage or something. 

 

What's actually in it that they cannot legally call it beer? 

 

Now I know why they can't call it a beer on the can.

 

It's a girl's sweet fruit punch that they made cloudy. Avoid at all costs. 

[Baht Simpson]

5 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"What's your favourite beer for the home?"

Davenport's!

 

 

She doesn't sound like your typical brummie. 🙂 

[Liverpool Lou]

Just now, Baht Simpson said:

She doesn't sound like your typical brummie. 🙂 

They all sounded like that in the '50s television adverts.

[Baht Simpson]

4 hours ago, delgarcon said:

I have a sentimental reason for drinking San Miguel. Back in 1974/75 I had a bar cafeteria in Benidorm and I stocked up with San Miguel at 4 pesetas a bottle and it was a half decent beer. I buy San Miguel Lite from Makro now and it's still a half decent beer.

I think  the San Miguel sold here is the Philippines version. It's not bad.

[Baht Simpson]

17 minutes ago, JeffersLos said:

 

Now I know why they can't call it a beer on the can.

 

It's a girl's sweet fruit punch that they made cloudy. Avoid at all costs. 

It's aimed at the Full Moon Party and Songkran crowd.  Much better out there.

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, Baht Simpson said:

Agreed.  Talking of Paulaner, the Paulaner Hefe Weissbier Alkoholfrei is by my lights the best alcohol free beer you can get here. Curiously though it's priced similar to full-alcohol versions.

Yeah, you are very right. It´s not a bad version at all. You know, the price, % or no %, they just want to keep the level of quality, and if drop price, it might be questionable.

[kickstart]

5 hours ago, ross163103 said:

  On 6/20/2024 at 6:15 PM, StraightTalk said:

Try Asahi and/or Sapporo. Beer Lao Dark and Gold/Lager are a very good brews as well.

The problem I find with Bere Lao Dar ,is that you can taste the molasses ,that makes the beer dark, the other Beer Lao I find too sweet ,and I thought Lao beer was made by Calisburg, under licence

But ,now I do like Carabao  Dunkel,the IPA you can get is not bad.

[mania]

I know this is about beer for our Thai homes but........

 

Just went to Portland Oregon which has a killer Craft beer scene

 

My goodness they had a beer from Epic Brewery called Big Bad Baptist

 

It was an incredibly delicious Stout ! There were others but that one really took the cake.

 

Close 2nd would be Fort George Brewery MATRYOSHKA 2024 

[mania]

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

For some, craft beer is associated with anti-establishment politics. “It’s very similar to the French Revolution, which started from a cafe in Paris, where people drank coffee,” says Taopiphop. “The fuel of the revolution is not coffee any more, it’s craft beer.” Taopiphop adds that, after the 2014 coup in Thailand, many pro-democracy activists chose to meet in Bangkok’s craft beer bars.

If only the younger Thais were allowed to express themselves, be inventive, be creative, be industrious, and use their smarts and ambition, Thailand could have a future

 

One thing I will also say is in that regard just look at Thai Coffee Cafe's. They have come so far so fast & IMO now surpass many coffee culture States in the US. The quality of the espresso & espresso based + the presentation is far better.

If they were allowed to tinker with craft beer I believe the result would be similar.

 

Same happened with Baking years ago Thailand had no real bakeries. Look now

[OneMoreFarang]

9 hours ago, Baht Simpson said:

Some imported beers might not travel well but I've not encountered that yet.

I remember a small bar in Pattaya with the name Kölsch. I asked the owner for a Kölsch beer, and he told me he tried, but it does not travel well. So no Kölsch in Pattaya or anywhere else in Thailand - as far as I know.

 

 

 

[delgarcon]

16 hours ago, Baht Simpson said:

I think  the San Miguel sold here is the Philippines version. It's not bad.

The last pack I bought were brewed  in Pathumthani, Thailand. Glad you mentioned it, I'm on my last couple of cans.

[Baht Simpson]

On 6/20/2024 at 5:58 PM, scubascuba3 said:

I buy cans and drink out of a wine glass, makes it taste better,

Smart man; it can enhance your enjoyment. I'm not sure where Tapper would stand with these beers.  They have different shaped glasses for a reason. 

 

 

[Baht Simpson]

20 hours ago, kickstart said:

The problem I find with Bere Lao Dar ,is that you can taste the molasses ,that makes the beer dark, the other Beer Lao I find too sweet ,and I thought Lao beer was made by Calisburg, under licence

But ,now I do like Carabao  Dunkel,the IPA you can get is not bad.

I think it's Malted Barley that gives it the flavour and colouring. According to the beer profile it contains 0.0% sugar and therefore cannot contain molasses as that's about 75% sugar.  I haven't tried the Carabao  IPA yet which is produced under the Tawendang brand.

[scubascuba3]

On 6/21/2024 at 10:39 PM, kickstart said:

The problem I find with Bere Lao Dar ,is that you can taste the molasses ,that makes the beer dark, the other Beer Lao I find too sweet ,and I thought Lao beer was made by Calisburg, under licence

But ,now I do like Carabao  Dunkel,the IPA you can get is not bad.

How does Dunkel compare to Beer Lao Dark?