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Charoen Krung, Ari, and the newly hyped Phahonyothin may have stolen the spotlight in Bangkok, but do you remember the pioneer in Sukhumvit 23 that shaped our current drinking culture? (Hopefully, Soi Cowboy wasn’t the first thing you thought of).
If the notion of ice-cold beer in a semi-outdoor setting in Sukhumvit seems familiar, chances are we’re thinking of the same place: CRAFT on Soi 23. Before craft beers were a ‘thing’ hop heads were really into, and before Thai beer drinkers shifted focus from Hoegaarden to random APA taps, CRAFT was ahead of the game.
Don’t even get us started on how infuriating it is these days to be told, “We don’t have that, that, and tap 8 is finished today” whenever you’re thirsting for premium craft beers in Bangkok. As cool as it is to see the beer culture revolutionizing for the better, many of these bars need to step up their game. For the past 6-plus years, if CRAFT didn’t raise the bar (pun intended), they surely maintained it — serving witbier, ales, IPAs, APAs, and stouts from top brewers around the world fresh off their 40 proud taps and over 150 labels on rotation.
Besides cold pints (or half pints for lite drinkers), CRAFT is synonymous with quality grub fired out of its kitchen including cheesy nachos with chicken chunks, or the local fave kaprao pizza — and the newly revamped menu such as the pastrami sandwich (its mustard hits the right flavor and the massive heap of cured meat slices justify its price), as well as fresh taco variations from its sibling restaurant, Slanted Taco.
Let’s go back to the reason most of us are drawn to CRAFT — the beer. Good news for those looking to stay hydrated in this heat as 5 new beers from Furbrew brewery have just landed in CRAFT. The Hanoi-based brewer has brought some of its best-selling and critically lauded goods.
1. Screaming Rooster — A brown ale that’s nothing short of smooth and caramel-y as you take a cold gulp. THB240++
2. Fat Trunk — With this IPA, you can taste a stronger dose of hops, citrus, and sweet flavor than its sister pale ale, Western Pale Ale. THB240++
3. Angry Mango — Derived from Thailand’s fruit-snack, mango and chili-salt dip, this gose doesn’t leave much to your imagination. The beer takes a sour turn real quick while smacking your tongue with a jab of chili flavor. If trying new things is your middle name, you know what to do. THB240++
4. Western Pale Ale — As the name suggests, this hazy pale ale focuses more on an easy drinking experience while still giving a decent hop aroma. Mind you, pour gently as it can foam up easier than you think. THB240++
5. Hanoi Saison — A mellow golden saison that shares a sour quality with Angry Mango, but doesn’t have the sharp edge (which is surprisingly welcoming). THB240++
On a side note, the significance of Furbrew beer is the precise condition they come in. If the temperature was anywhere above 5°C, the batch would be rejected. That’s proper quality control right there.
Plus, in case you wanted to drink something different without breaking the bank, CRAFT is doing you a huge favor by rolling out Hanoi Beer for only THB120++ per bottle during their happy hour (2pm – 6pm daily).
During the rainy season, you might think it will be a hard pass on CRAFT’s outdoor garden vibe — let alone leaving the house in a downpour to drink beer. Think again, because CRAFT’s revamp have remedied that pain points for loyal drinkers with a newly installed roof to shield its semi-outdoor area. Plus, Birds Rotisserie will soon provide more eating options to CRAFT’s fans as the kitchen will be dedicated to cooking up some juicy, seasoned birds.
Help yourself to the open-air ambiance, 40 beer taps, and bar grub at CRAFT on Sukhumvit 23 or simply come for its happy hour bargains.
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