I am wondering what the ramifications are if an Expat wanted to brew his own beer and make his own wine in the Chiang Rai area - none for sale of course.

Can Expats do this in Thailand without risk of trouble with the "authorities"? And if so, are ingredients and supplies available in the Chiang Rai area??

Any discussion on this would be welcomed.

Petruchio

I am wondering what the ramifications are if an Expat wanted to brew his own beer and make his own wine in the Chiang Rai area - none for sale of course.

Can Expats do this in Thailand without risk of trouble with the "authorities"? And if so, are ingredients and supplies available in the Chiang Rai area??

Any discussion on this would be welcomed.

Petruchio

Without pretending to have expert knowledge, which I do not, if it is for your own consumption (and near acquaintances) and not for commercial purposes then I don't think you'll have any trouble. As soon as it becomes a business, you will. If you wish to turn it into a business, better to go legal from day one. Given that you are not duplicating a Thai product, you probably won't finnd the licencing too onerous.

I am wondering what the ramifications are if an Expat wanted to brew his own beer and make his own wine in the Chiang Rai area - none for sale of course.

Can Expats do this in Thailand without risk of trouble with the "authorities"? And if so, are ingredients and supplies available in the Chiang Rai area??

Any discussion on this would be welcomed.

Petruchio

Without pretending to have expert knowledge, which I do not, if it is for your own consumption (and near acquaintances) and not for commercial purposes then I don't think you'll have any trouble. As soon as it becomes a business, you will. If you wish to turn it into a business, better to go legal from day one. Given that you are not duplicating a Thai product, you probably won't finnd the licencing too onerous.

with a name like yours you must have some knowledge

I am wondering what the ramifications are if an Expat wanted to brew his own beer and make his own wine in the Chiang Rai area - none for sale of course.

Can Expats do this in Thailand without risk of trouble with the "authorities"? And if so, are ingredients and supplies available in the Chiang Rai area??

Any discussion on this would be welcomed.

Petruchio

Without pretending to have expert knowledge, which I do not, if it is for your own consumption (and near acquaintances) and not for commercial purposes then I don't think you'll have any trouble. As soon as it becomes a business, you will. If you wish to turn it into a business, better to go legal from day one. Given that you are not duplicating a Thai product, you probably won't finnd the licencing too onerous.

with a name like yours you must have some knowledge

Yes. Both in the production as well consumption, but strangely, more in the production of it. I find therefore, that it is an interesting hobby that my friends appreciate more than me (hehehe). In the past I have made wine out of any available edible substance, such as green bean wine, onion wine, mango wine, etc., and all with at least a pleasing hint of the base ingredient. I still have over 200 bottles in the basement in the States that are over 20 years old and most are from excellent to exotic, although some of the fruit wines crapped out over that time period.

Do we get free beer

Mainly I am wondering if there are any glass carboys and wine yeasts available in the area. The other stuff I believe I can get here or bring from "home".

Petruchio

I'd also be interested to know if any beer/wine kits are available in Thailand.

Ive asked before about this on TV.... 'the discussion of illegal activities in Thailand are not permitted on this forum...closed' good luck

Oz

Ive asked before about this on TV.... 'the discussion of illegal activities in Thailand are not permitted on this forum...closed' good luck

Oz

Is making been or wine for personal use illegal in Thailand???

I am wondering what the ramifications are if an Expat wanted to brew his own beer and make his own wine in the Chiang Rai area - none for sale of course.

Can Expats do this in Thailand without risk of trouble with the "authorities"? And if so, are ingredients and supplies available in the Chiang Rai area??

Any discussion on this would be welcomed.

Petruchio

This is also a topic of interest to me, especially with wine. I miss the quality at an affordable price as well as the pride of making my own and having a well stocked wine cellar. Are ingredients and suppies available anywhere in Thailand? By ingredients i mean quality grapes or good juice. In Canada, i used to get Australian grape juice: the Shiraz was great!

In a quick search on this topic it was discussed before under the heading of Home Brew Wine.

Perhaps there are no ramifications if you make your own beer, wine or spirits for peronal use -- but apparently it is illegal.

In a quick search on this topic it was discussed before under the heading of Home Brew Wine.

Perhaps there are no ramifications if you make your own beer, wine or spirits for peronal use -- but apparently it is illegal.

On this thread the guy was told that it is not illegal to make it for personal use by customs when he imported it.

I understand then, that for the most part one takes his chances as to the legality/ramifications of making beer and/or wine for his own consumption (not to sell it).

Do I take it correctly also then, that;

1) there are no clear glass or plastic carboys and stoppers for them available in Thailand (nice to be able to see the fermentation working), and

2) there are no sources in Thailand (or otherwise reasonably close and dependable to order from) for buying ingredients such as prepared canned malt and wine/beer yeast, and/or other supplies??

Thanks for the discussion, ...Petruchio

I was looking into this and came across clarification from a government officer to this question on the puket gazette a couple of years ago.

Basically any brewing is illegal in thailand without a permit. The fines are higher for spirits and beers and much higher if the alcohol is being sold, the reply did hint that you could get a permit; but what it costs and what you need to do to get it; is anyones guess.

Do I take it correctly also then, that;

1) there are no clear glass or plastic carboys and stoppers for them available in Thailand (nice to be able to see the fermentation working), and

2) there are no sources in Thailand (or otherwise reasonably close and dependable to order from) for buying ingredients such as prepared canned malt and wine/beer yeast, and/or other supplies??

I think the legal ramifications have been covered. Well covered.

Anyway, I have also been researching this and have not found any sources for ingredients. People are making (pretty good) beer but on more commercial levels, such as the Chiang Mai German Brewery. I'm sure they buy everything in bulk.

Hi there Petruchio,

I covered this before in a previous thread on Thaivisa. Unfortunately the brewing of anything in Thailand without a licence is illegal. More the pity as I retail home brew in Oz and would love to start a shop over there!

Well you can make yourown beer and wine for consumption, and you can make them for sell with permission, pauying excise tax, and other business taxes. There are many Thai Wine brands. One is in Mae Chan Chiang Rai. Mae Pern-PaMiang reservoir. They made wine, restaurant, and accommodation. You can buy yeast stuff from Kasetsart University tel. 02942 8389 or visit www.labvalley.com it sells Wine Yeast and stuff.

The problem with beer brewing is getting the malt. It's hard to come by in Thailand and expensive to bring in in any quantity because it's heavy.

It would be interesting to see if rice could be malted the same way as barley is.

Personally if I wanted to try it it be looking at fruit suitable for making cider type wines.