OUR ICONS: BeerLao

Aside from the fact that this is the only beer brewed in Laos; and its cultural significance to the Laotians (and backpackers, of course)… this liquid amber *that didn't sound right lol* is surprisingly very good! Clean taste, a hint of grass/wheat and a light finish. I just can’t pinpoint the other odd undertone is has but I’ll let you know soon.

BeerLao has been winning medals since 2003 in the international beer circuit. The most recent was in Paris. It is also named as the “Best Beer in Asia” by Time Magazine in 2004. Who would imagine a world-class beer coming out of Laos? Well, don’t bother…it’s already here.

Beerlao was first produce in 1995 by the only brewery in the country, the Lao Brewery Company in Vientiane. LBC has been producing other beer brands since 1971.

Beerlao is made from local jasmine rice, Pilsner malt imported from France, Hallertauer Magnum hops and dry yeast from Germany, and spring water. They are now taking beer-making seriously. It is now exported in Australia, America, Canada, Cambodia, France, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Thailand, Vietnam, and the UK.

It comes in 3 variants: the Beerlao Original with 5% Alc./Vol., Beerlao Light with 2.9% and the divine Beerlao Dark with 6.5% party points. A regular bottle costs 5,500 Kip (US$0.50/ 21 Baht / 2 Ringgit).

When you come to Laos, try this beer. So when it’s time to leave, it would be your magic carpet. With just one bottle, you will be transported back to the streets of Vientiane or Luang Phrabang, enjoying on the banks of the Mekong River watching the sunset.

BeerLao – Treasure of Southeast Asia.

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*Photo courtesy of Peter Garnhum

OUR ICONS: 333 Beer

No other beer can represent the beautiful country of Vietnam in the beer drinking world other than the legendary 333 Beer. The iconic brand has managed to survive more than a century of regional conflict and wars having been first produced in 1893.

What makes 333 different over the rest is it is a rice lager beer. The taste could be a bit bitter for some but it’s definitely tastier than other SE Asian beers which have a chemi-after-taste. 333 is 5.3% alcohol.

When in Vietnam, you don’t order a “Three-three-three” beer, but a “Ba-ba-ba” (That's how it is properly called). The Vietnamese like their beer over ice – so don’t expect cans and bottles chilled. And if you are drinking with Vietnamese people it is considered polite to top up their glass before refilling your own.

Before the turn of the century, the beer was known as Beer 33 – it is said that when communists took over in the 70’s, they added another 3 to make it as it’s name today. Nobody knows the real reason for the name change but it is said that is was to shake off the colonial history of the brand.

333 made its Oktoberfest debut (the world’s largest beer festival ) in August 2006. It is exported to Europe, Australia, Singapore, Japan and the Americas.

The iconic 333 Beer is distinctly Vietnamese and there is no doubt about it. Its refreshing taste is as rich as its history witnessed Vietnam's modern transformation like no other.


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*Photos by Herve

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