Hello,

Please pardon my somewhat novice question here - I am going to Chiang Mai soon and it will be my first trip up to Chiang Mai. I searched the forum but found no recent posts. The most recent post on the subject matter that I could find was from 2009, and it said that 'BeerLao imports will soon open up for Chiang Mai'.

So my question is simply, is BeerLao, in particular the dark kind, available in Chiang Mai and if so - where should one go?

Best Regards

John

Edited August 3, 201114 yr by Swordsman

I believe the Olde Bell Pub on Loy Kroh serves Beer Lao.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/418013-beer-lao-for-sale-in-cm/page__p__4343485__hl__beer+lao__fromsearch__1#entry4343485

It's served in many places, and can be bought at Rim Ping and Tops supermarkets. Better than any Thai beer, that's for sure, but still seems somewhat constrained in quantity as it's often sold out.

Butter is Better is now serving Beer Lao with their new dinner menu but not the dark....yet!

Euro Diner has Beer Lao Dark. They are opposite The Wall and next door to Chiang Mai Saloon #2.

No.1 Bar have both. Or at least they did the last time I was there.

Seems to be only the small bottles are available. Usually run about 80 Baht in a bar.

How much is it in Rimping/Tops?

Makro sells both by the case.

Makro sells both by the case.

And, so exciting, the prices went down recently!! Beer Laos Dark for just 1100 B a 24 pack - happy day!

Thanks for all the great responses people - really appreciate this.

So, Makro... Do I need to be a member or something to shop there? First stop once I get to Chiang Mai though

Thanks for all the great responses people - really appreciate this.

So, Makro... Do I need to be a member or something to shop there? First stop once I get to Chiang Mai though

Yes; just go in and see the girls behind the desk to your right and ask them for a membership card. They will give you a form to fill in your local address and ( i think ) an estimate of how much you are likely to spend each month. Might ask you for I.D. Use any figure you like because you are never challenged at any time. They will give you a card and off you go.

El Diablo's mexican restaurant next to Mike's Burgers near Tha Pae... They serve Beer Lao light amd dark, plus their burritos are amazing!

"So my question is simply, is BeerLao, in particular the dark kind, available in Chiang Mai and if so - where should one go?"

As you can see, there are so many places that you won't be disappointed.

Yes; just go in and see the girls behind the desk to your right and ask them for a membership card. They will give you a form to fill in your local address and ( i think ) an estimate of how much you are likely to spend each month. Might ask you for I.D. Use any figure you like because you are never challenged at any time. They will give you a card and off you go.

Any problems for those of us that visit on a tourist visa? Do they require a residency permit/ID to register? (Always good with threads like this that will be quite googleable/searchable with as much info as possible - and so far the majority of the posts have been great in that regard!)

No problem if you do not have a membership card, the cashier will use a store card; and the customer in line behind you will likely offer to use their card. Go for it!

At Makro be prepared to be refused an alcohol purchase between the hours of maybe 12 and 3, unless you buy a large quantity. Someone will correct my guesstimate on the time and quantity for your clarification,so plan your shopping accordingly.

At Makro be prepared to be refused an alcohol purchase between the hours of maybe 12 and 3, unless you buy a large quantity. Someone will correct my guesstimate on the time and quantity for your clarification,so plan your shopping accordingly.

Same alcohol sales hrs as anywhere in Thailand in my experience. Any Qty 11am to 2pm and after 5pm: only bulk sales (10L?) at other times.

Membership is not necessary, the cashier always has a card to scan and nobody checks for cards when you walk in (unlike sam's club in the US).

Edited August 5, 201114 yr by CPT

Just returned from Makro north past Payap turnoff on Superhwy Saturday 110806: no Beer Lao whatsoever.<img class="bbc_emoticon" alt="" src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif">

Just returned from Makro north past Payap turnoff on Superhwy Saturday 110806: no Beer Lao whatsoever.<img class="bbc_emoticon" alt="" src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif">

I know that, bought their last case of dark yesterday. (insert evil laugh here)

Just returned from Makro north past Payap turnoff on Superhwy Saturday 110806: no Beer Lao whatsoever.<img class="bbc_emoticon" alt="" src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif">

I know that, bought their last case of dark yesterday. (insert evil laugh here)

And you're going to spend the next month on the toilet.

Just returned from Makro north past Payap turnoff on Superhwy Saturday 110806: no Beer Lao whatsoever.<img class="bbc_emoticon" alt="" src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif">

I know that, bought their last case of dark yesterday. (insert evil laugh here)

I was in Makro on 108 today and they have about 100 cases of both colours so fill yer boots !

If you don't need or want an entire case you can buy Beer Lao at the small liquor stores on Nimmanhaemin.

Both light and dark, I should add.

Edited August 7, 201114 yr by LadyHeather

Just returned from Makro north past Payap turnoff on Superhwy Saturday 110806: no Beer Lao whatsoever.<img class="bbc_emoticon" alt="" src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif">

I know that, bought their last case of dark yesterday. (insert evil laugh here)

And you're going to spend the next month on the toilet.

This is Thailand.........

Is it correct to assume that beer lao is made without the addition of chemicals and/or other kinds of additives detrimental to one's health? Which it seems to me is the case with all thai bottled beers.

Is it correct to assume that beer lao is made without the addition of chemicals and/or other kinds of additives detrimental to one's health? Which it seems to me is the case with all thai bottled beers.

I wouldn't assume that anything made in this part of the world is made without additives.

Is it correct to assume that beer lao is made without the addition of chemicals and/or other kinds of additives detrimental to one's health? Which it seems to me is the case with all thai bottled beers.

No brewery is going to admit that they are adding chemicals to their beer, and it isn't reliable to judge that by whether the beer causes hangovers or not. Some people say that Beer Lao doesn't cause hangovers, but many people say that about Leo too.

Is it correct to assume that beer lao is made without the addition of chemicals and/or other kinds of additives detrimental to one's health? Which it seems to me is the case with all thai bottled beers.

I wouldn't assume that anything made in this part of the world is made without additives.

From my personal vantage point in life, foods are safer here than back in america or europe with regard to additives and other toxic additions put into our foods and drinks.

Even beer may be, depending on the relative quality of water being used to brew the beer.

Is it correct to assume that beer lao is made without the addition of chemicals and/or other kinds of additives detrimental to one's health? Which it seems to me is the case with all thai bottled beers.

No brewery is going to admit that they are adding chemicals to their beer, and it isn't reliable to judge that by whether the beer causes hangovers or not. Some people say that Beer Lao doesn't cause hangovers, but many people say that about Leo too.

I would attribute hangovers to the alcohol. Chemicals and other toxins put into beer cause other health problems, perhaps not so obvious on a day by day basis, rather through a chronic build-up.

Maybe breweries will not admit to adding toxic substances - dam_n pity they don't have to by law - but any brewery not using them would do themselves a favour by letting us know. I for one would increase their sales. I thus posed my question in case anybody is in the know about beer lao.

Is it correct to assume that beer lao is made without the addition of chemicals and/or other kinds of additives detrimental to one's health? Which it seems to me is the case with all thai bottled beers.

No brewery is going to admit that they are adding chemicals to their beer, and it isn't reliable to judge that by whether the beer causes hangovers or not. Some people say that Beer Lao doesn't cause hangovers, but many people say that about Leo too.

I would attribute hangovers to the alcohol. Chemicals and other toxins put into beer cause other health problems, perhaps not so obvious on a day by day basis, rather through a chronic build-up.

Maybe breweries will not admit to adding toxic substances - dam_n pity they don't have to by law - but any brewery not using them would do themselves a favour by letting us know. I for one would increase their sales. I thus posed my question in case anybody is in the know about beer lao.

Beer Laos' niche is more being a palatable beer from an exotic land than anything else. No particular reason to think that it's an organic product.

Beer Laos' niche is more being a palatable beer from an exotic land than anything else. No particular reason to think that it's an organic product.

I don't mean for it to be organic, just free of chemicals or additives or other toxic substances. I doubt many or any beers in england are organic. It would just be nice to find a bottled beer here that is only brewed with natural ingredients. Just like many beers in britain or germany or belgium.