|
|
 |
| Beer and Drinking in Thailand |
Now, this is an area I would consider myself an expert in! I have had my fair share of drinks in Thailand. I am mostly a beer drinker, but I do like a glass of wine or a mixed drink from time to time.
Beer - Wine - Other Drinks |
Beer
Chang - Singha - Leo - Beer Lao - Heineken - Imports
Sizes: Can - 330 ml : Small Bottle - 330 ml : Large Bottle - 640 ml
Sometimes refered to as elephant piss, beer Chang usually goes hand in hand with backpacking in Thailand. At 6/4%, it is the strongest Thai beer, and it is often the cheapest. In a minimart, it can be as cheap as 20 Baht for a can of the stuff. It comes in small and large bottles as well. Personally, I prefer the 330 ml can, but it is more common to be served a bottle. The price varies when you are out and about. A cheap guesthouse or bar off of Khao San Road will serve you a large bottle for about 50 Baht. It will be slightly more expensive right on Khao San Road itself. In other parts of the city it is not uncommon for prices to be double or triple that. This is often the case in the Sukhumvit or Silom areas, but deals can be found. A notable example of this is Cheap Charlies where a small bottle will run you 50 Baht making it quite a popular destination for frequent travelers and expats alike.
Chang Light is a newcomer to the beer drinking scene in Thailand. For this writer, they should not waste their time brewing the stuff. If any beer deserves the misfortune of being called "elephant piss" it truly should be Chang Light. The beer lacks any flavor at all. Granted it is a light beer, but surely they could have done a better job somewhere along the way in the development of this beer.
Often preferred over Chang, Singha is a little bit smoother and doesn't cause the dreaded "changover" that plagues many. I have no problems with Singha. It is second in line for me as far as Thai beer goes. It is slightly more expensive than Chang. It has a smoother taste to it and less alcohol content at 5%.
A local favorite. I really don't care for Leo, but many Thai people sure do seem to consume a bit of the stuff. It is brewed by the same company that brews Singha, but it is a cheaper version. It is not as common to find Leo on menus of backpacker oriented establishments; however, it is available from time to time.
For a while it was virtually impossible to get Beer Lao in Thailand. This might be the most revered beer in all of Southeast Asia. Indeed, it is exception in comparison with its Thai beer counterparts. It has recently become available in many establishments in Bangkok and other parts of the country. Do not be fooled, this is a really good beer. In fact, Carlsberg, an international favorite, has a stake in the brewing company.
What would the world be without Heineken? The official website boasts that the stuff in a green bottle is sold in over 170 countries. Thailand is no exception! This beer is found all over Thailand. It is brewed locally, but I find it has the same bland flavor it does everywhere else. I am not sure what the appeal is here, but people pay a premium for Heineken. If you enjoy this beer, it will be available everywhere!
Imported beer can be found in many places, but you will pay a premium to drink a Corona on the beach or a Budweiser for some reason. Personally, I tend to stay away from imported beers except for Guiness when in Thailand. Thailand hits alcohol imports with a heavy duty, so the price certainly reflects that. I suppose if you were itching to have something special, you can find it most easily in Bangkok or large urban areas.
|
Wine
To be realistic, wine is quite expensive in Thailand. I don't think I have ever seen a backpacker drop their backpack for a cheap meal somewhere and grab a glass of wine anyway. Personally, I enjoy a glass of wine here and there, but it is worth noting that it will cost me to have such an affinity! Wine can be around the 400 - 500 Baht mark for the cheaper varieties, but to have a half decent bottle of wine it will probably set you back 1000+ wine. This excludes many backpackers on a tight budget from the market. Thailand doesn't produce any wine that I know of. I was told by someone who lives in a rural agricultural area that the soil just isn't suitable to grow grapes. In fact, he had tried it for a while and gave up on the project shortly thereafter! |
Other Drinks
Now we are talking! I would imagine that very few backpackers who have been to Thailand will ever forget what a bucket is. For those of you that don't know, I will explain. Imagine a small pail of the variety that children would play with in a sandbox or something. The idea is to fill the small "bucket" with ice. Then, pour one bottle of Red Bull, one can of Coke, and one small bottle of Sangsom. Throw about 10 straws in it so everyone can share, and you are on your way. The experience looks a bit like this:
Of course, buckets are found everywhere at the Full Moon Party. However, the above picture of Aie and I was taken on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok. Vans like these have been popping up everywhere. There is even one on Soi Rambuttri, so if you are staying in the Khao San Road area you can go have a look. Buckets have become increasingly widespread.
Often, people have a tendancy to call this Thai Whiskey; however, it is important to note that it is actually a rum. Whatever it is, it has a smooth taste. It does the trick in a number of mixed drinks. Sangsom and Coke is a popular drink, but tourists mostly drink it in buckets. In my experience, locals generally go for a cheaper alternative like 100 Pipers. After all, you are going to mix it with something at the end of the day. On occassion, I drink it with nothing but a beer to chase the shot. It still goes down quite easily.
This Thai whiskey is certainly worth a mention. It should be avoided by all but the most dedicated drinkers. I have no idea where it comes from or what it is, but I can tell you that the feeling that most closely resembles a shot of Lao Khao going down the hatch is heartburn magnified at least 100 fold! I will do some research about this foul, yet effective, substance and report back about it in the VERY near future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
