ThaiBev consolidates all beers into Chang Classic to shake up market

[TheAppletons]

I wouldn't drink Chang even if it wasn't loaded up with additives that give you a splitting headache (the "Chang-over") in the morning. They managed to sour the deal with their then-partner Carlsberg over 10 years ago, driving another decent-ish beer out of the country.

The "Export" version of Chang tastes totally different to the domestic version. I wonder why.?

Export was 100% malt beer. Classic is malt + rice.

[EddieBaBaBoBo]

They should change name to "Thaineken".

[MESmith]

I wouldn't drink Chang even if it wasn't loaded up with additives that give you a splitting headache (the "Chang-over") in the morning. They managed to sour the deal with their then-partner Carlsberg over 10 years ago, driving another decent-ish beer out of the country.

The "Export" version of Chang tastes totally different to the domestic version. I wonder why.?

Export was 100% malt beer. Classic is malt + rice.

Probably "cleaner", too.

Edited August 21, 2015 by MESmith

[alocacoc]

One of the best beer on our Planet;

[Kasset Tak]

I don't drink Chang Classic, not even my friend who work at a Beer Chang brewery drink Chang Classic!!!

[Caspersfriend]

Taste is subjective of course but Chang Export was the nearest I could find here to a decent beer.

Doubt this move is solely about market share and consolidation [which is no doubt company propaganda anyway] but includes pressure being applied to brewers to reduce [or more likely appear to be making an effort to reduce] alcohol consumption. As with so many areas [road traffic accidents et al] there appears to be a lack of understanding regarding the causes of alcoholism and the resilience of those who follow that path. Not selling alcohol within 300 metres [or the vicinity(?) of] universities/high schools/lower schools/infant schools/kindergartens/language schools - whatever] or on 'religious days' will not reduce the problem in any way shape or form. Those who wish to drink alcohol will always find a way and a source - not difficult in LOS and a lot more alcohol to the $ than any Chang product.

[EnglishJohn]

I wonder if they are looking greedily at the Heineken price tag and thinking they can edge towards it if they make it as similar as possible.

Thai quality at farang prices is a recipe for disaster.

[Chao Lao Beach]

I'm one customer they've lost. Chang Export & Draught top beers in Thailand. Chang Classic - NO THANKS

While I don't agree with eh best beer bit, I do agree that your mentined beers are way bettter than Classic.

"The new beer is in line with the company's strategy to deliver products that meet customer needs," By removing 3 of the 4 brews, <deleted> ? And using smaller bottles. ?

Thai logic.

[SoiBiker]

Maybe you could all enjoy a nice glass of whine instead?

[baboon]

Maybe you could all enjoy a nice glass of whine instead?

Are you buying?

[CelticBhoy]

It's a sad day for this long time drinker of Chang.

I can't say I like the "new" taste at all.

Not what beer do I turn to . . . . any ideas?

Beerlao, Tiger, Archa, Red Horse, Cheers Xtra

I have been drinking Chang beer for the last ten years. This new 5.5% is crap. I have tried most of the other beers available in Thailand and dislike all of them. What can one do ? Pick any one from random and drink it to you get to like it.

Exactly the feeling I have. After years and years of Chang

it is looking like a return to Singha until I am steered towards

an alternative. Hope something pops up soon.

[Jimlove]

Chang should be put back into the horse ... Not even beer can they make here

[farangmick]

I wouldn't drink Chang even if it wasn't loaded up with additives that give you a splitting headache (the "Chang-over") in the morning. They managed to sour the deal with their then-partner Carlsberg over 10 years ago, driving another decent-ish beer out of the country.

The "Export" version of Chang tastes totally different to the domestic version. I wonder why.?

Export was 100% malt beer. Classic is malt + rice.

Like that nasty American version of Budweiser I believe.

[farangmick]

I quite like Federbrau, but expensive for Thai beer.

[kkerry]

Most of the westerners i know who drink Chang drink Chang Export. Easily one of the better tasting local beers. Looks like it will be Leo or Tiger from now on

[connda]

I never was a fan of Chang anyway. Go to Germany or to an American micro-brew: those are beers. These light drafts from most major manufacturers is camel piss.

[Baerboxer]

Business is booming but the biggest plant is running at 50% capacity.

Sound business planning. 50% capacity. "Let's cut the other brands out, focus on one, reduce strength, reduce bottle size, position it as a premium brand and go after a different market segment. That 50% "spare" capacity will come in useful when the market reacts to our great plan and new product and super cool new bottle and demand rockets". Good luck with that one.

Had a party a couple of weeks ago. All the Thais were drinking Heineken!

[bikerlou47]

Chang sucks! Like all Thai beers!

[yellowboat]

Good thing the beer market is closed to competition, or these elitists would be out of business in a week. Just when you thought Chang could not get any worse.

[madmitch]

The original article states that Thaibev is consolidating ALL its beers into the new brand. If I read this correctly that would include Archa and Federbrau as well as the various Chang offshoots.

At a time when the rest of the world is increasing its beer choice greatly, with craft beers becoming extremely trendy, one of Thailand's major brewers does the exact opposite!

[Chicog]

I can't see what all the fuss is about.

People should drink this piss out of brown paper bags.

It's only merit is that it's cheap, for people who worry about things like that.

Edited August 21, 2015 by Chicog

[Pdaz]

So the only full flavoured beer on the market has now been changed to taste like Heineken/Tiger/etc etc oh and had it's alcohol content reduced.. <deleted>.. Despite it's naysayers Chang really was the best beer for flavour.. There are enough lightweight wishy washy lagers available already.. Leave Chang alone !

[suzannegoh]

One of the best beer on our Planet;

<deleted>.

[yellowboat]

Chang tastes like fermented cardboard , It is okay with lime juice as is most low quality beer.

[Alwyn]

It's a sad day for this long time drinker of Chang.

I can't say I like the "new" taste at all.

Not what beer do I turn to . . . . any ideas?

Archa I guess? I stick to Tiger personally

[Alwyn]

So Chang are following the marketing model of Coca Cola and trimming down to one product to increase sales... Oh no, wait a minute...

[Assurancetourix]

It's a sad day for this long time drinker of Chang.

I can't say I like the "new" taste at all.

Not what beer do I turn to . . . . any ideas?

Beerlao, Tiger, Archa, Red Horse, Cheers Xtra

Nobody here knows about Huda bier ? 4,7 * only ;

But who drink here in SE Asia his bier without ice inside ?

The bier of Hue in Vietnam , Carlberg license .

Hu = Hue

Da = Danmark

http://www.carlsberggroup.com/brands/Pages/HudaBeer.aspx#.Vdbyupet5ts

[Assurancetourix]

I never was a fan of Chang anyway. Go to Germany or to an American micro-brew: those are beers. These light drafts from most major manufacturers is camel piss.

There is one and unique beer all over the world;

it's draught Guinness ;

all the other " like a beer " are like pipi de chat

I'm not irish and I regret

[SoiBiker]

I never was a fan of Chang anyway. Go to Germany or to an American micro-brew: those are beers. These light drafts from most major manufacturers is camel piss.

There is one and unique beer all over the world;

it's draught Guinness ;

all the other " like a beer " are like pipi de chat

I'm not irish and I regret

I guess you never had a pint of Murphys or Beamish.

[namatjira]

Beer Lao is the future.....and now Beer Lao Gold......large 750 ml bottles of liquid gold, and if you look around as cheap as 40 baht a bottle in Vientiane