Beer Lover’s Companion: The Most Popular Beers of Southeast Asia

A beach, a book and a beer: my three ingredients for a great trip. Traveling in Southeast Asia often involves a visit to one of the area’s exquisite beaches. And, long-haul travelers anywhere know the virtues of having a good book to while away layovers, train departure delays and that quiet time between when your bus arrives and when you can check in to your accommodation.

But, when it comes time to quench your thirst in Southeast Asia, what beer brands are the best?

The region has a multitude of fine beers, mostly lagers, with many brands founded in the late 1800s-early 1900s by European colonists trying to acclimate to SE Asia’s tropical climate.

Then, as now, the best way to rehydrate after a hot day working (ahem, sightseeing) in the sun is probably the water of a green coconut. However, popping the top off a beer is much more fun. Here’s a few popular beers to try on your next trip through the region:

1) San Miguel Pale Pilsen (Philippines)

The best-known, best-selling Southeast Asian beer outside of Asia must be the Philippines’ own San Miguel. Brewed in the country since 1890, it’s also one of the region’s oldest and most respected beers. It’s mild and goes down easy.

2) Tiger (Singapore)

Beer and alcohol on sale in Singapore is some of the most expensive in the region, but luckily Tiger is worth your extra SGD. The lager has a clean, crisp taste that goes well with chili crab. It’s also owned by Heineken, and comes in a light version for travelers counting calories.

3) Bintang (Indonesia)

The signature star of the Bintang label may be recognizable to travelers who have never even cleared customs into Indonesia. A popular design for souvenir T-shirts and tank tops, Bintang beer may have the best word-of-mouth marketing around. The brew itself is worth advertising, as well. This pilsner is made by Heineken, and has a similar light refreshing flavor to that beer.

4) Beerlao (Laos)

Darker in color and more robust in flavor than some of the other pale brews in the region,despite being made from rice, Beerlao has a dedicated following among expat beerdrinkers. It’s been bottled in Laos since the 1970s. If you’re craving more body in your beer, they also have a dark version that is still surprisingly refreshing.

5) Singha and Chang (Thailand)

Curb a spicy Thai curry with a bottle of lion-labeled Singha. It’s a bit sweet and slightly bitter. The other Thai favorite for most SEAsian travelers is inexpensive, strong Chang Beer, the one with elephants on the label. Just beware of the “Chang-over” the next day.

6) Angkor Premium Beer (Cambodia)

Named after Cambodia’s amazing Angkor Wat ruins, Angkor beer aims for the quality of European brews, and many travelers say this light-tasting lager approaches that. It’s brewed by Carlsberg.

7) Beer Saigon (Vietnam)

Vietnam has a huge selection of beers to choose from, more than most of the other countries mentioned here. Most of the beers on offer are pale lagers, and one of the best is Beer Saigon. La Rue and 333 are two other popular light beers to try.