Beers from Thailand
Thailand may be renowned for its rich culinary heritage, but the country also has a vibrant beer culture. Thai beers have become increasingly popular both domestically and internationally, offering refreshing and light flavours that complement the country’s tropical climate. While lagers dominate the Thai beer scene, the emergence of craft breweries in recent years has introduced a wider variety of beer styles, from pale ales to stouts. Thai beers are well-suited to the local cuisine, providing crisp and clean flavours that pair well with the bold and spicy dishes Thailand is famous for.
Types of Beers in Thailand
Lagers
Lagers are the most common type of beer in Thailand, accounting for the vast majority of beer consumption in the country. These beers are light, crisp, and refreshing, making them ideal for the warm climate. Several well-known Thai brands produce high-quality lagers that are enjoyed both locally and abroad.
Singha: Singha is perhaps the most iconic Thai beer. It’s a pale lager that has a crisp and slightly bitter taste, with a subtle malt sweetness. The beer’s light body and clean finish make it a refreshing option, particularly in hot weather. Singha is often paired with spicy Thai dishes, as its bitterness helps to balance strong flavours.
Chang: Another widely popular Thai beer, Chang is a pale lager with a fuller body and more robust flavour than Singha. It has a slightly sweet, malty taste, with a gentle bitterness and a crisp finish. Chang is often described as having a slightly stronger alcohol presence, making it a more hearty beer compared to other Thai lagers.
Craft Beers
The craft beer movement in Thailand is relatively new but growing rapidly. Thai craft brewers are experimenting with different styles and ingredients, blending traditional brewing techniques with local flavours. Although craft beers are not as widely available as mainstream lagers, they offer beer enthusiasts a chance to explore unique, small-batch brews with distinct character.
Full Moon Chalawan Pale Ale: One of Thailand’s standout craft beers, Full Moon Chalawan Pale Ale is brewed with Thai ingredients, giving it a tropical twist. It has a light to medium body, with flavours of tropical fruits like mango and pineapple, balanced by a mild bitterness. The beer’s fruity profile makes it refreshing and easy to drink, especially in the heat.
Sandport Brewing’s Bangkok Black: A craft stout brewed in the heart of Thailand, Bangkok Black offers rich, roasted malt flavours with notes of coffee and dark chocolate. Despite its dark appearance, this stout has a surprisingly smooth and slightly sweet finish, making it an enjoyable contrast to Thailand’s lighter beer offerings.
Rice Beers
A unique aspect of Thai brewing is the use of rice in some beers. Rice contributes a light and crisp mouthfeel, which is perfect for beers brewed in hot climates. These beers often have a very clean taste, making them particularly refreshing.
Leo Beer: Leo is another popular Thai beer that incorporates rice in its brewing process. It has a mild malt character with a slight sweetness, and its use of rice gives it a crisp and light texture. Leo is smooth and easy to drink, with a balanced flavour profile that makes it a versatile choice for a wide range of dishes.
Flavours of Thai Beers
Crisp and Refreshing
Most Thai lagers, like Singha and Chang, are brewed to be light, crisp, and refreshing. These beers have a subtle malt sweetness, a gentle bitterness, and a clean, dry finish. They are ideal for the warm tropical climate and pair well with spicy and flavourful Thai food, as their refreshing qualities help to cool down the heat of the cuisine.
Fruity and Tropical
Craft beers like Full Moon Chalawan Pale Ale often feature tropical fruit flavours, reflecting Thailand’s abundance of fresh produce. These beers have a more complex taste, with fruity aromas of mango, pineapple, and citrus. They offer a refreshing, slightly sweet alternative to traditional lagers, appealing to those who enjoy more experimental and flavourful beers.
Malty and Roasted
While less common in Thailand, darker beers such as stouts offer richer, maltier flavours. Beers like Bangkok Black have a deep roasted malt character, with notes of coffee and chocolate, giving them a bold and intense flavour. These beers are typically consumed less frequently in the warm climate, but they provide an interesting alternative for those seeking something more substantial.
Popular Thai Beers Available in the UK
Thai beers are widely available in the UK, particularly in supermarkets and Asian grocery stores. Singha, Chang, and Leo are some of the most commonly found Thai beers, and they are often served in Thai restaurants across the country. For those looking to explore Thai craft beers, they may be harder to find, but some online retailers offer selections from breweries like Full Moon and Sandport Brewing, allowing UK beer lovers to experience the growing craft scene in Thailand.
Conclusion
Thailand’s beer culture is a reflection of its climate and cuisine, with light, crisp lagers dominating the market. Beers like Singha, Chang, and Leo offer refreshing flavours that pair perfectly with Thailand’s spicy dishes. The emergence of craft breweries has added new dimensions to the beer scene, with experimental brews like Full Moon Chalawan Pale Ale introducing tropical flavours and bold styles. Whether you’re looking for a light and refreshing lager or an adventurous craft brew, Thailand has a wide variety of beers to suit different tastes, many of which are available to enjoy in the UK.