Choosing between the same few brands of beer all the time can get boring, especially for those who have swilled beer abroad, and are used to a more expansive selection. Even DIYers can’t catch a break, as it’s actually illegal in Thailand to make your own beer at home. So when you want a fresh mug that has been brewed with little bit more love and attention, come to one of these establishments.
The Londoner Brew Pub
The best draft beer in town—there, we said it. Although The Londoner is billed as a British pub, the brewmaster, Peter Schwarzmueller, is Bavarian and a true beer connoisseur. His two house brews, London Pilsner 33 and Londoner’s Pride Cream Bitter, are products of his German heritage, which demands skill and quality (Germans are proud of their Reinheitsgebot, the 500-year-old beer purity law). Both house brews cost B160 a pint, and there’s also Heineken, Tiger, Singha (B160) and Guinness (B250) on tap, in addition to a wide selection of bottled beers like Erdinger Wheat Beer (B160) and Warsteiner (B160) that can be tricky to find around town.
Est. 33
It might be owned by Singha, but this microbrewery is ultra chic and does serve up tasty food to go with some interesting, freshly-brewed beers. The place also doubles as a mini beer museum (with resident brew master), aiming to impart the company’s history and how the stuff is made. Sit at the bar, hugging the glass tanks, and watch your beer brew right in front of you. Est. 33 Shandy (B150) and Fire Drop (B180) are the two big sellers. The Est. 33 Sampler (B320) has three types of beer (including a wild black brew infused with black glutinous rice). Unlike most microbreweries, Est. 33 doesn’t rely on corny live bands. Instead you’ll hear hand-picked indie and electro tracks from the likes of Daft Punk, The Ting Tings, MGMT and M.I.A.
Tawandang Brewhouse
You can’t miss the giant beer barrel shaped dome of this longtime favorite. Three kinds of beer are brewed onsite—weizen, lager, and dunkel. Tawandang German Brewery claims to be the largest microbrewery in Thailand with a capacity to produce 700,000 liters/year. They can also seat 1,600 people at a time in the cavernous beer hall. And it’s usually packed with punters enjoying the classic Thai hits and the affordable food. The beer’s not too pricy either: B85 baht for a small, B120 for medium and B240 for a large jug. Prost!
