Traveling through Southeast Asia, beer enthusiasts are often surprised by the limited selection. In reality, each country brews its own beer with pride, almost as a nationalist statement. Thailand has Chang, Singha and Leo, Laos has Beer Lao, and Cambodge has Cambodia Beer, or the famous Angkor Beer whose motto is simply: "my country, my beer."

The history of beer

Asians now represent the world's leading market for brewers!

In Cambodge, beer accounts for 79% of alcohol consumption, far ahead of whisky (13%), wine (4%) and rice alcohol (4%), or 14 liters per capita per year. The rise of convenience store distribution has significantly impacted beer sales.

Asia has produced many fermented beverages. The most famous of these remains Japanese sake, which like beer is a "fermented grain alcohol."

However, beer does not originate from its various Asian influences, but rather from the brewing traditions of the Old World. Whatever the country, it was the Europeans who brought brewing expertise during the colonial era and who founded most of the first breweries!

For example, Tsing Tao was launched by Germans in 1903 when the city was a German colony. Chang beer, known throughout Thailand, was originally derived from Danish Carlsberg beer and was taken over by a Thai company. And finally, the Cambodian brewery Angkor Beer was established in the 1960s by French entrepreneurs.

Light blonde beers are found alongside some dark beers, such as ABC or Angkor Stout. Other beers consumed mainly in rural areas, such as Klang and Black Panther, offer a higher alcohol content.

Beer quickly became a cultural matter, with hops taking center stage at every celebration. Often poured into a glass filled with ice, it is consumed at small gatherings with friends as well as at wedding banquets.

"My country, my beer"

Local beer is the primary alcohol market in Cambodge. Cambodian beer production represents more than 70% of consumption.

Today, Angkor Beer (not to be confused with Anchor Beer, widely present in Cambodge but of Singaporean origin) and its 1.5 million bottles per day remains number one in Cambodge. Promoted through the American-style slogan: "My country, my beer", its brands are found everywhere in the country, whether on restaurant facades in Phnom Penh or in small provincial eateries.

Angkor beer, now brewed for the Carlsberg group, but formerly Cambrew Brewery, is the first Cambodian beer since 1963. The brewery is located at the top of a mountain overlooking the port city of Sihanoukville, just 10 minutes from downtown.

Angkor Beer, named after the world-famous temple and UNESCO World Heritage site, has an extensive range of products. The brewery offers Angkor Premium Beer, Bayon Beer, Klang Beer, Black Panther and Angkor Extra Stout, a dark beer with roasted coffee flavors, which won the gold medal at the "Monde Sélection" in Brussels in 2009.

A promising market

Import taxes and strict conditions for obtaining distribution rights slow foreign beer imports by limiting them to large groups with substantial investment capacity and legal services.

Some breweries are therefore trying to enter the capital of foreign companies to gain access to new markets. Japanese Asahi, Thai ThaiBev and Dutch Heineken, for example, recently entered the capital of Sabeco, a Vietnamese brewing giant. Irish Guinness, meanwhile, bypassed customs and transportation issues by setting up breweries directly on the territory.

In Cambodge, Asia Pacific Breweries Limited created Cambodia Brewery Ltd in 1994, with a local partner. CBL produces four beer brands: Tiger beer, Anchor, Gold Crown and ABC Stout. Other brands such as Himawari Microbrewery or Khmer Brewery brew their beers in Phnom Penh. Cambodia Beer, the latest addition, has been available on the Cambodian market since 2011.

To meet this growing demand, many independent microbreweries are emerging. The brewery Kingdom Breweries has been located since 2009 on the banks of the Tonlé Sap River. It offers Clouded Leopard Pilsner, Kouprey Dark Lager and Kingdom Gold Lager beers.

Behind this project is Peter Brongers, a Dutchman who embarked on an adventure: "I lived in Bangkok for 15 years. There are many pubs with very different and quality beers. I simply thought we should do the same here!" Peter Brongers believes the market is less competitive compared to neighboring countries.

Keen to promote its product, Kingdom opened a bar on the second floor of its headquarters, where you can freely come and taste the latest Cambodian beer.

Since 2010, Asian brewers have produced more than their European counterparts: 32% of global production compared to 30% in Europe. Even though China represents the strongest demand, with over 70% of total beer consumption in Asia, beer in Cambodge remains a national product. Independent breweries with varied beers have a good chance of capturing the market in the years to come.

Besides, for a locally brewed beer in a peaceful haven, head to street 29 in Phnom Penh to Botanico Wine & Beer Garden… a true beer oasis!