Craft Beer

[Ratsima]

The Bangkok Post had an interesting editorial (Call time on beer barons) in yesterday's paper regarding the Thai craft beer situation. In short, it's grim. (I'll post a link to the editorial at the end of this thread.)

I was especially amused by this statement:

The deputy min­is­ter de­fended the reg­u­la­tions, say­ing the re­stric­tions are needed to guar­an­tee safety for drinkers and en­sure brew­ing prod­ucts meet qual­ity stan­dards.

I guess if your quality standard is "insipid lager" then they're doing a great job.

Fortunately, and as the editorial notes, there are a number of Thai brewers who have resorted to making their beer in neighboring counties (some further afield) and importing back into Thailand. Unfortunately, the additional taxes imposed has moved the price of these sometimes great beers out of the realm of every day drinking.

I especially enjoy beers brewed by Maha Nakhon (Vietnam), Outlaw Brewing (Cambodia), Stone Head (also Cambodia) and Full Moon Brewworks (Australia). I've purchased beers by all of these brewers at the Gourmet Market at The Mall.

Although Full Moon has a brew pub in Phuket, they are only allowed to sell their production on-site. To sell their beer elsewhere they have to brew in another country. Makes about as much sense as the immigration rules.

As promised, here's a link to the editorial.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1735823/call-time-on-beer-barons

[Coolkorat]

The "quality" argument is completely hollow. If brewers produce poor products then they will lose custom. Logically, the better the product the greater the chance to build market share. Everyone knows what this is really about.

[Ratsima]

Not money, certainly?

[caller]

But it's more than just money isn't it.

It's really about protecting the interests of the establishment over and above everyone else.

Allow any chink into the armour and the whole façade will come tumbling down. Here's hoping.

Incidentally, the guy that makes his own beer on Koh Khet island in Bkk is a police officer for Gawds sake - and ignores the law. He even gives lessons in brewing!!

https://www.thelostpassport.com/koh-kret-pottery-village-brewery-bangkok/

[Ratsima]

I've never made it to one of the beer weekends at Koh Kret. There was a guy here in Korat from whom I bought beer for a while. He went every weekend. His brewery was called SoftTigers. His beer was pretty good and improving. But, when the crackdown came in 2017 he sort of dropped out of sight. He's a physicist who works at the synchrotron at SUT.

[TJD]

Hadn't seen this thread before. Bump.

If you're looking for different craft beer to try (cans/bottles), and other beverage products, I've been using a small distributor shop out on the South end of town called "Siri Drinks".    It's a sister shop to the distributor near the old bus station in the city, which I did have a look around in once and found the Siri shop has a more varied, unique selection of imported craft beers.   https://www.facebook.com/siridrinks/

For the imports I've been purchasing, Siri Drinks is roughly 10-15 Baht less per bottle/can than Gourmet Market's beer aisle in The Mall.   Purchase 12 or more at Siri, they knock 5 more Baht off the each/unit price.   The tall, young Thai man involved with the shop speaks excellent English and seems interested and knowledgeable about craft beer trends. 

[TJD]

I've never made it to one of the beer weekends at Koh Kret. There was a guy here in Korat from whom I bought beer for a while. He went every weekend. His brewery was called SoftTigers. His beer was pretty good and improving. But, when the crackdown came in 2017 he sort of dropped out of sight. He's a physicist who works at the synchrotron at SUT.

Not sure if you're still in Korat, Ratsima, but I was just reviewing your old post about lacking venues in your area.  FWIW, Siri Drinks is within your biking zone, just past the old Walrus on the same side of the street.   Across the street and not far away from Siri Drinks shop is the Hop House Brewery/Restaurant; although I tried that once and thought their beer wasn't very good. 

[Coolkorat]

TJD, I'll let Mike (Ratsima) know - he's not on social media much at all these days. Your post might encourage him back!

Mike has an interesting blog he posts to, Mike Newman. It is worth a look if you have a chance.