Thai Beer Guide: From Popular Lagers to Thai Craft Beer

In This Article

Introduction to Beer in Thailand

If you’ve spent time in Thailand, there’s a good chance you’ve got a memory tied to a cold beer. Maybe it was a Singha on a beach at sunset or a big bottle of Chang shared over dinner at a night market. For decades, Thai beer was simple: crisp, familiar lagers built for the heat and the food.

That’s still part of the story — but not the whole thing anymore. Over the past decade, Thailand has quietly built a craft beer scene of its own. From Bangkok’s sleek taprooms to Chiang Mai’s riverside breweries and Phuket’s tropical tasting rooms, local brewers are creating beers that reflect Thailand’s flavor, climate, and character.

If you’re a beer lover heading there, expect to find both the old favorites and a wave of creative new options that make the country one of Asia’s most interesting beer destinations.

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The Classics: Thailand’s Famous Macro Lagers

Before the craft era took off, three names defined Thai beer; they still do — and they’re worth knowing.

Singha – The Original

Brewed by Boon Rawd Brewery since 1933, Singha is Thailand’s oldest and most iconic beer. The golden lion on the label has become part of the country’s landscape — you’ll see it everywhere from Bangkok rooftops to island bars. It’s crisp, a touch bitter, and maltier than you’d expect from a tropical lager. Singha is still one of the best companions for spicy Thai food or grilled seafood.

Chang – The People’s Beer

Launched in 1995, Chang (“elephant”) is the beer you’ll find in ice buckets at beach bars. It’s stronger and maltier than Singha, slightly sweet, and made for easy drinking. Chang feels local and laid-back — a beer that fits any setting, from Bangkok street stalls to beach sunsets.

Leo – Smooth and Social

From the same brewery as Singha, Leo sits right in the middle — lighter, softer, and endlessly drinkable. At 5% ABV, it’s the everyday beer of Thailand: crisp, refreshing, and affordable. You’ll spot its leopard logo in nearly every restaurant and bar.

Beer	Brewery	ABV	Profile	Best For
Singha	Boon Rawd Brewery	5.0 %	Crisp, floral, malt-forward	Classic Thai meals
Chang	Thai Beverage	5.2 %	Maltier, slightly sweet	Beach drinking
Leo	Boon Rawd Brewery	5.0 %	Light, balanced	Everyday refreshment

The Shift: Thailand’s Craft Beer Revolution

For years, strict laws made small-batch brewing nearly impossible in Thailand. Anyone wanting to sell beer legally had to produce on an industrial scale. So the first wave of craft brewers found creative workarounds — brewing their recipes abroad, usually in Cambodia or Vietnam, then importing them back under Thai labels.

Even with those challenges, the movement grew. Young Thais and expats began homebrewing, hosting pop-up tastings, and introducing new flavors to a curious audience. By the mid-2010s, Bangkok and Chiang Mai had their first dedicated craft bars. Today, Thailand’s craft beer culture feels confident: not huge, but passionate, experimental, and increasingly local.

Types of Craft Beers to Expect in Thailand

Most Thai craft beers are brewed for the climate — lighter, fruitier, and refreshing — but local ingredients make them stand out.

Style	What to Expect	Thai Twist
IPA / Pale Ale	Fruity and aromatic	Mango, lychee, lemongrass
Wheat Beer / Witbier	Smooth and light	Kaffir lime, galangal
Sours	Tart, bright, tropical	Guava, tamarind, pineapple
Stouts & Porters	Sweet and dessert-like	Coconut, Thai tea
Saison / Farmhouse	Dry, spicy, refreshing	Palm sugar, honey
Rice Lagers	Crisp and delicate	Jasmine rice, pandan aroma

Top 6 Craft Breweries to Visit in Thailand

1. Brewave — West Bangkok

A roomy west-side brewpub that brews on site and runs a central taproom at Gaysorn Amarin. Expect a casual crowd, live music, and a house list that covers lager, pale, and IPA.

Must Try Beers:

• Fineday American Pale Ale – Grapefruit rind, light pine, soft tropical fruit (pineapple/green mango).
• Poseidon American IPA – Tropical fruit (mango/passionfruit), orange peel, and a hint of dank/hops-resin.
• Munzday American Lager – Pale straw to light gold; aroma clean, light bread crust, subtle floral hops.

2. Mitr Brewery – Nonthaburi, just north of Bangkok

Mitr operates a brewpub in Pak Kret with roots in the Mitr Craft/Victory Monument scene; known for hop-forward ales like their American Pale Ale and “Too Much Hoppy” NEIPA.

Must Try Beers:

• American Pale Ale – Citrus (lemon zest), soft pine; malt lightly sweet.
• Too Much Hoppy New England IPA – Juicy tropical fruit (pineapple, peach, orange).

3. Underdog Micro Brewery — Samut Prakan (SE of Bangkok)

Just outside Bangkok in Samut Prakan, Underdog Micro Brewery has built a loyal following with its relaxed, open-air taproom and range of easy-drinking house beers. Their lineup covers classic German styles through to modern hop-forward ales, with a focus on drinkability.

Must Try Beers:

• Raspberry Berliner Weisse – Tart, lightly sour, and refreshingly fruity. Perfect for Thailand’s heat.
• Helles Lager – Smooth, golden, and malt-balanced with a subtle floral hop finish.
• Sweet Home NEIPA – Juicy, hazy, and soft-bodied with tropical hop aroma.

4. Bootleg Brothers Brewing Co. — Central Bangkok

A central, easy-to-reach brewpub making fresh beer on the EmQuartier rooftop (“Escape”). House lineup includes a hoppy lager, classic IPA, and a well-liked porter.

Must Try Beers:

• Peak a Brew IPA – Citrus, pine resin, a faint tropical berry note.
• Island Hopper lager – Pale gold; aroma of light wheat/malt, subtle fruit notes.
• Mr Galactic Porter – Rich with chocolate, roast malt, a hint of caramel.

5. Two Palms Taproom / Brewing Co. — Bangkok

Two Palms is a city taproom brewing its own beers—recent launches include a hazy IPA, a pale ale, and a roasted chestnut stout.

Must Try Beers:

• Money Trees Hazy IPA – Pink guava, sweet tangerine, a hint of peach.
• Between Two Palms Pale Ale – Pineapple, green pine, slight herbal notes.
• Roasted Chestnut Stout – roasted chestnut, mocha, light smoke.

6. Sucking Stones Brewing Co. — Chiang Mai

Sucking Stones Brewing is true brewpub pouring house classics alongside a rotating “Brick Wall” IPA series and hazy variants; central Chiang Mai location near Nimman.

Must Try Beers:

• Brick Wall American IPA – Bright pineapple and orange peel aroma, and resinous underneath.
• Brick Wall Too Hazy IPA – Tropical fruit notes, with a soft mouthfeel — think mango, orange, pineapple.
• Nakara Pale Ale – Fruity hop aroma (citrus/lemon), moderate bitterness, and a dryish finish.
• The Pils German-style pils – Crisp, clean, slightly spicy hop finish.

5 Popular Thai Craft Beers to Try

If you can’t visit every brewery, keep an eye out for these five beers. They’re the ones you’ll most often see in bottleshops, tap lists, and restaurants across the country.

1. Chalawan Pale Ale – Full Moon Brewworks (Phuket)

• American Pale Ale | ABV: 4.7 %
• The beer that introduced Thai craft to the world. Named after a crocodile from Thai folklore, Chalawan pairs drinkability with personality.
• Light caramel malt and floral hops with a hint of lychee sweetness. Smooth, balanced, and unmistakably Thai.

2. Mahanakhon White Ale – Mahanakhon Brewery (Bangkok)

• Belgian Wit / Wheat Beer | ABV: 5.2 %
• One of the first Thai craft beers ever stocked in 7-Eleven, marking a milestone for the scene.
• Citrus and coriander with a silky wheat base — crisp, fresh, and perfect for hot afternoons.

3. Devanom American IPA – Devanom Brewing (Bangkok)

• American IPA | ABV: 6.2 %
• Often called the benchmark for Thai IPAs, praised by regional judges and beer fans alike.
• Pine and tropical fruit with firm bitterness and a clean resinous finish. A bold, modern IPA with local flair.

4. Outlaw West Coast Pale Ale – Outlaw Brewing

• American Pale Ale | ABV: 5.5 %
• Founded by a Canadian expat who built a rural Thai brewery against the odds, Outlaw symbolizes independent Thai craft.
• Citrus hops, gentle caramel malt, and a crisp, dry end. Honest, balanced, and easy to drink.

5. Stone Head The Dark Side – Stone Head Brewery

• Imperial Stout | ABV: 5.8 %
• Brewed by Thai owners just across the Cambodian border to sidestep local restrictions; now one of Southeast Asia’s best-known stouts.
• Chocolate, roasted coffee, and smooth bitterness — rich without heaviness.

What Makes Thai Craft Beer Unique

Thai craft beer is shaped by its environment. The heat demands lighter bodies and bright flavors. Local ingredients — mango, coconut, pandan, basil — give brewers a wide creative palette. Many design their beers to complement the food rather than compete with it.

It’s beer that mirrors Thai cuisine: balanced, aromatic, and built for sharing.

Where to Drink Craft Beer in Thailand

Bangkok has become the country’s craft beer hub, with plenty of spots to explore:

• Hair of the Dog – one of Thailand’s first true craft bars, known for its rotating taps.
• Craft Sukhumvit 23 – a relaxed, open-air bar pouring local and international options.
• Let the Boy Die – part bar, part art space, with an experimental tap list.

In Chiang Mai, My Beer Friend is a must-visit, while Phuket offers beachside pours at Full Moon Brewworks, home of the well-known Chalawan Pale Ale.

Tips for Beer-Loving Travelers

• Alcohol sale hours: No sales between 2 PM–5 PM or after midnight.
• Carry cash: Smaller taprooms sometimes don’t accept cards.
• Food pairings:
  • IPA with green curry
  • Wheat beer with pad thai
  • Porter with satay skewers
• Support local: Buy direct from taprooms when you can; it helps the scene grow.

The Future of Thai Beer

The local craft industry is still young, but momentum is real. New breweries open each year, and legal reform continues to be debated. Thai brewers collaborate regularly with partners in Japan, Australia, and Europe, giving their beers wider reach and sharper skills.

You’ll already find Thai labels popping up in Singapore and Hong Kong — small proof that the country’s creativity travels well.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Thai Beer

Thailand’s beer culture used to be defined by three lagers — Singha, Chang, Leo. They’re still here, still great in their own way, but now they share the spotlight with a wave of small brewers redefining what Thai beer can be.

Whether it’s a hazy IPA in Chiang Mai, a fruited sour in Bangkok, or a coconut porter in Phuket, each beer tells a small piece of the same story — one of creativity, resilience, and local pride.

If you love exploring through flavor, Thailand offers more than beaches and temples. There’s a pint waiting for you, cold and bright, filled with something unmistakably Thai.

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