As Thailand’s beer scene grows in both quality and volume, so too do the bars in which that sweet, sweet brew can be consumed.
It wasn’t easy, but we here at Coconuts have surveyed Bangkok’s watering holes in order to come up with this master guide to finding the best hops-based refreshment Bangkok has to offer.
Beerosophy 101
The selection at Beerosophy is worth the trip out to Megabangna alone, with over 100 brews to choose from. The folks behind this beer bar are the same guys who brought BrewDog’s portfolio into Thailand, so the staff naturally knows their stuff. And the hostesses are rather cute as well. The décor consists of barrels and a checkered floor, giving it a cavernous feel. Beerosophy is a great place to post up after a long day of shopping.
Beerosophy 101, 1/F, Mega Bangna (Event Zone), Bang Na-Trat Km.8, Bangkok, Thailand
Make sure to try: BrewDog’s Punk IPA
BeerVault
Situated on the ground floor of the Four Points by Sheraton, BeerVault was a pioneer and early adopter of the microbrew trend. With a beer list featuring nearly 100 brews from around the globe, its selection does not disappoint. BeerVault has six taps pouring a rotating selection of imported draught beer as well. Prices are what you would expect from the Sheraton at around THB200 – 300 for imported beers, but the selection – for now – is unparalleled. The “Beer O’clock” happy hour fits the event’s definition with “buy one get one free” for high-end brews until 10pm.
BeerVault, Four Points by Sheraton, Sukhumvit Soi 15
Make sure to try: Rochefort Trappistes 10 (one of the most highly acclaimed beers out there, scoring the highest possible percentage on enthusiast websites)
BREW – Beers and Ciders
With plenty to offer by way of its namesake, Thong Lo’s Brew is one of the best watering holes in the whole of Bangkok. Its devastatingly chic surroundings only add to the wealth of beers available at the establishment’s tap. Brew’s collection of American, Belgian, British, German and Japanese concoctions runs the gamut from Rogue Brewery’s “Dead Guy Ale” to “Tokyo Black Porter,” courtesy of Japanese brewery Yona Yona.
Brew. Thong Lo, Sukhumvit 55 (Thong Lor), Soi 13.
Make sure to try: Anderson Valley Boont Amber Ale
El Osito
Fantastic food can turn a good beer into the greatest beer you’ve ever had. Although El Osito isn’t a “bar,” per se, it still carries a full selection of American microbrews from Rogue Brewery and Anderson Valley Brewing Company to complement a host of delicious tapas. Tapas dining is perfect for pairing with microbrews, as the host of flavors delivered from tapas can be complemented with an equal cornucopia of delectable suds.
El Osito, Mahatun Plaza, 888/23-24 Ploenchit Rd.
Make sure to try: Rogue Dead Guy Ale
Est. 33
Although this brewpub is owned by Singha, the last thing you should expect is watery lagers. The brews, produced on site, use European brewing techniques with Thai twists, like using special varieties of rice in their ales. To wash down the brew there’s a whole host of hearty dishes ranging from German sausage platters to Portobello quesadillas.
Crystal Design Centre on Ram-Indra-Ekamai Road
Open: weekdays, 4.30pm to midnight and weekends, 11.30am to midnight
Call: (02) 102 2296
Make sure to try: Est. 33’s own Black Beer, made with black sticky rice.
HOBS (House Of Beers)
An early comer to the Bangkok beer scene, HOBS offers a fine selection of Belgian beers at prices that it would be hard to describe as anything other than “reasonable.” The food pairings available at HOBS don’t quite live up to their liquid equivalents, and a dislike for Belgians will leave one out in the rough, but HOBS in general provides a stellar chance to enjoy a mid-afternoon chalice of suds at an almost-reasonable price.
Two locations: Thong Lo: 522/3 Soi 16, Soi 55 Sukhumvit (Thong Lo).
62 Aree Samphan Soi 11, Aree Rama VI Rd., Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Make sure to try: Hogaarden (a classic)
The Londoner
One of the original Bangkok brewpubs, the Londoner serves up a healthy selection of international brews side-by-side with its homemade recipes. The bar brews both a pilsner and a bitter, which it pares with fantastic British fare and an appropriately Stygian basement setting.
The Londoner. Sukhumvit Soi 33.
Make sure to try: Londoner’s Pride Cream Bitter
Tawandang German Brewery
This German beer hall isn’t the place to come to discuss business over a beer—this is the kind of joint where you go to let loose in casual clothes while consuming a heady microbrew made on the premises. The building is built to look like a giant beer barrel, and its interior is set up like a massive German beer hall, with the capacity to seat more than 1000 beer enthusiasts. There are variety shows put on nightly and you never know quite what to expect here. With a mixed crowd of locals and expats, Tawandang is always surprising.
Tawandang German Brewery, 462/61 Rama 3 Rd., Bangkok, Thailand
Make sure to try: Tawandang Dunkel
Photos: Zanysan Tanantpapat
