Foreign Beer Sightings

[wpennypacker]

Before this devolves into an argument, let me first say that I find nothing wrong with Thai beers. I've been here for a bit and I really like most of them. However, most of the beer available seem to be Pale Lagers/Pilsners (which makes sense, given the climate). While that's all fine and good, it's nice to change things up now and again and have something dark, or sweet, or hoppy, or (maybe) sour.

We're in Chiang Mai and we actually discovered the Lanna Interbrews Festival is going on from December 15th to December 25th (I think). We stopped by last night and there were actually a few European brands that I hadn't seen in Thailand before (Gauloise, Hoegarden, Erdinger, Stella, Bavaria, Chimay). If you're in the area I would definitely check it out.

I know there has been a topic on where to find American beer, which turned out to be less than helpful, but has anyone seen any out-of-the-ordinary beers in Thailand?

[pmarlin]

XXXX bar in queen Park plaza, australian, european, and even a amercican brand (miller),140thb during happy hour.

[Kilgore Trout]

XXXX bar in queen Park plaza, australian, european, and even a amercican brand (miller),140thb during happy hour.

The day I spend 140 baht on a Miller is the day I eat my hat.

Commercial American beers are garbage; fortunately for those in the states the micro brew culture is at its peak.

Some of the better known ones; Summit, Dogfish head, Goose Island, Half Acre, Big sky....the list goes on. Would love to see some of those in LOS

[JoePai]

I buy London Pride and London Porter by the case direct from the distributor in Pattaya

[Kilgore Trout]

I buy London Pride and London Porter by the case direct from the distributor in Pattaya

Go on then...how much for a case?

[JoePai]

I buy London Pride and London Porter by the case direct from the distributor in Pattaya

Go on then...how much for a case?

Only about 1300 Baht a case - pretty good value as a pint of beer in a glass bottle - perfek

[pmarlin]

>>The day I spend 140 baht on a Miller is the day I eat my hat.<<

don't drink the stuff, for a fact haven't really found a good beer here. Guess I miss the 12 years spent in Germany. so for now I will just drink my cheap beer Leo.

[wpennypacker]

I buy London Pride and London Porter by the case direct from the distributor in Pattaya

That's pretty brilliant. Now if only I could find a Sierra Nevada distributor...

Commercial American beers are garbage; fortunately for those in the states the micro brew culture is at its peak.

Yeah, I agree with you there. In the past five years in Austin alone, we've gone from having about seven local breweries to now almost twenty. It's a great time for craft beer in the states no matter where you go (drooling right now thinking of Dogfish 90min

Since I last posted though, I have actually found that I really like Beerlao Dark, which I'm now buying by the case from our local liquor store.

I also had Christmas Dinner at The Duke's in Chiang Mai and their import selection wasn't bad. Had a few different Paulaner bottles and some from another German brewer that is escaping me right now. Also had (gag) Corona, which I'm not a fan of, but I know some people love it. All pretty pricey though, about 150 baht for a bottle.

dam_n import beer is expensive!

[smokie36]

Not quite Thailand but not so very far away either.

Here's a pic from Danang Airport this am.....

[smokie36]

Anyone know if they have the same at Saigon International Departures? I might get there an hour early and have a sup if they do....

[draftvader]

I am a real ale drinker back home. I don't drink to get drunk so I rarely drink beer in Thailand. When I do I have found Cooper's Ales (Australian cold-drinking ales) to be the best I have tasted here. My mother-in-law is a CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) ticker (beer spotter) and she enjoyed the Coopers whilst she was here. Available in Villa Market and Central/TOPS. Not cheap though! Worth it if you have taste-buds though.

http://www.coopers.com.au/#/the-order/the-hall-of-beer/sparkling-ale

http://www.coopers.com.au/#/the-order/the-hall-of-beer/pale-ale

They even have a Stout. If the attention to detail is as good as the other 2 then it should be a very satisfying tasting stout.

http://www.coopers.com.au/#/the-order/the-hall-of-beer/Extra-Stout

Can't wait for my next trip back to England. 3 weeks in villages with classic Real Ale pubs....nice

[canopus1969]

I am a real ale drinker back home. I don't drink to get drunk so I rarely drink beer in Thailand. When I do I have found Cooper's Ales (Australian cold-drinking ales) to be the best I have tasted here. My mother-in-law is a CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) ticker (beer spotter) and she enjoyed the Coopers whilst she was here. Available in Villa Market and Central/TOPS. Not cheap though! Worth it if you have taste-buds though.

http://www.coopers.c...r/sparkling-ale

http://www.coopers.c...f-beer/pale-ale

They even have a Stout. If the attention to detail is as good as the other 2 then it should be a very satisfying tasting stout.

http://www.coopers.c...eer/Extra-Stout

Can't wait for my next trip back to England. 3 weeks in villages with classic Real Ale pubs....nice

As a poster mentioned above, Londo Porter is available here (Chiswick Brewery) - lubbly jubbly

[draftvader]

If somebody was to give me the address of the importer in Pattaya I would borrow my mate's car, drive down and pick up as many crates as his car would take. London Pride/Porter is not the greatest ale in the world, but you are talking my home beer as I was a Twickenham boy. The Pride in a well run pub is a good quality (if slightly predictable) beer.

To make your mouths really water (and tears fall down grown men's cheeks)...

www.realale.com

I have warned you!

[draftvader]

OK, to REALLY wind you up...

[draftvader]

and to finish you all off

Right, I'm off to book a return flight to the pub...

[lazygourmet]

Plenty of different Belgian beers are available from Bel Bev.

As well, they distribute to all the provinces.

[smokie36]

Anyone know if they have the same at Saigon International Departures? I might get there an hour early and have a sup if they do....

They don't. But the Bordeaux is acceptable.

[p_brownstone]

Plenty of different Belgian beers are available from Bel Bev.

As well, they distribute to all the provinces.

Could be an interesting site but pretty useless without pricing - or is it hidden somewhere?

Patrick