Beer Lao Is Here!

[The Dan Sai Kid]

I just had Beer Lao at The Garden on Ratchadamnoen Road.

It was nice to have a different beer for a change - by at 80 baht for 330mls - I won't be switching.

[Mahseer]

Was in Chiang Mai Saloon 3 weeks ago and they also have but was only there for a swift half so didn't try one.

[ex Toon Army]

I was buying it for 6,000 kip (22 Baht) for a big bottle from a local high street shop few weeks ago in Luang Prabang, restaurants/bars were charging anywhere between 10,000 to 15,000 kip (38-57 Baht). Ah! The price of fame!

Cheers

[Jonson83]

beer lao...what a beer.Stuffs so good,it tastes good warm!..well ermm maybe

Why so 'expensive' though?? They'd piss all over singha/chang if they went into serious competition with them.

[meadish_sweetball]

Import tariffs added to the price, or some other extra fee. Just a guess though, could be wrong.

My other guess is that they consciously place themselves at a higher price level to appear more sophisticated.

They may want to try to play in the same division as Asahi, Heineken, etc. The only trouble is, Thais are unlikely to see a Lao product as 'inter' and 'hi so', so they'll have to rely on the tourists to boost their image. So far it looks like word of mouth among people who have visited Lao works fine as promotion.

[Jingthing]

Aren't most of those foreign label beers made in Thailand? Beer Lao is not, correct. I agree Beer Lao is way superior to any Thai beer. It seems very remote that we will see Beer Lao on market shelves. Its too good.

[davethailand]

When did 80bht become expensive?

[Sojourner]

Beer Lao has been available in BKK for quite a while. Food Court is one of the chains carrying it and I've seen it at the Nana Bear Bar no more expensive than Heineken. I think since it's new to CNX that there may be some greedy entrepreneurs looking to get their investment back in a hurry.

[davidgtr]

Agreed Beer Lao is an amazingly good beer, and in the not too distant future it should be readily available.

Not exactly sure when - 2007 or 2008? - but I think there's a part of the Asean Free Trade agreeement with liquor included that is should be coming into force & so you might be able to get Beer Lao real easy.

Carlsberg now have a 25% share in Beer Lao, market Carlsberg in Laos, & I am sure they are getting ready to strike back against Beer Chang in Thailand after being well & truly screwed by Thai Beverages Co (Beer Chang) in their short lived partnership.

Now according to the Beer Lao website

http://www.beer-lao.com/distributions.php

there is an official Thai agent

NKT Import - Export Co.,Ltd

300/2 Moo 10,Mittaphap Rd.

Nongkhai 43000

Tel : (6642) 413 231

Fax : (6642)413 298

[Jingthing]

I stand happily corrected! I will be even happier when I see Beer Lao at Costco at friendly prices. Do you think this will really happen? I hope they don't start making it at the Chang factory and just labelling it Beer Lao.

[sinkorswim]

Beer Loa is a very good beer. The reason it is pricey is due to the Thai goverment import duties. I personally think it is way better than any Thai beer.

I actually know who the distributer is in Chiang mai so if anyone wants his details for there business send me a PM.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

When did 80bht become expensive?

When I can have a large singha for the same price.

It's my arse that's lined with diamonds - not my pockets

[ChangMaiSausage]

I was in Samui (lamai) recently when a guy passed selling Beer Lao apparently he owned a bar in Nana and had now started to sell/ditribute Beer Lao in Samui. The bar that I was at sold it at the same price as a Hein... they bought it at 40THB per bottle sold at 70THB.

Sinkorswim - will you friend sell to the public by the case?

[sinkorswim]

I was in Samui (lamai) recently when a guy passed selling Beer Lao apparently he owned a bar in Nana and had now started to sell/ditribute Beer Lao in Samui. The bar that I was at sold it at the same price as a Hein... they bought it at 40THB per bottle sold at 70THB.

Sinkorswim - will you friend sell to the public by the case?

they sell them in the bottle shops on Loi Kroh road soi 1 across from charlies fish and chips and several other places, I think there is a bottle shop near to chiang mai gate that stocks it.

I am sure they will sell you a case if you go in and ask. Not sure of the prices.

Here is the email address if you want more details as I dont really know too much about it. <email removed>

[ChangMaiSausage]

Cheers sinkorswim the missus has just told me that she has bought a case for when I return to CM.

[bryuung]

My girlfriend works for the company that imports Beerlao. The reason the price is so high is because it is in fact imported from Laos, not made here like Heineken or Tiger. Thailand adds a 300% import tax on the beer!! Think they have something against it? There are a few bottle shops and bars carrying it but because of the genius idea to put a prohibition on alcohol advertising it is hard to get the word out. So you just have to ask your bar if they have it yet. As far as the price goes the bottle shops sell it for 890 baht per case. I’m sure if you want a case they would be happy to sell it to you. If anyone wants more info just send me a message.

[john b good]

When did 80bht become expensive?

80 baht is real expensive "if that's your daily budget"

[davidgtr]

My girlfriend works for the company that imports Beerlao. The reason the price is so high is because it is in fact imported from Laos, not made here like Heineken or Tiger. Thailand adds a 300% import tax on the beer!! Think they have something against it? There are a few bottle shops and bars carrying it but because of the genius idea to put a prohibition on alcohol advertising it is hard to get the word out. So you just have to ask your bar if they have it yet. As far as the price goes the bottle shops sell it for 890 baht per case. I’m sure if you want a case they would be happy to sell it to you. If anyone wants more info just send me a message.

If it is all legit & you're not after a commission, why not just post the details -i.e name of the company & contact details - instead of playing "hide & seek?"

No offence bryung, but some of you guys never to ceaze to amaze me "I know who it is, but cant say here, just PM & I'll let you in on the secret."

I never quite understand - do people post like this because they are trying to do themselves a favour or the general board members a favour??

[meadish_sweetball]

Thread reopened.

My earlier statement about not allowing spam was muddled and caused confusion. Sorry about that.

Now back to Beer Lao.