Hair of the Dog NEW

Craft

Craft started as a pop-up beer garden in front of Whisgars Sukhumvit Soi 23 before deciding to stay there permanently. This semi-outdoor stall exclusively sells craft beers, with 20 labels on tap rotating monthly and 50 bottled varieties. The result of a partnership between Beervana and the team behind Whisgars cigar and whiskey bar, expect familiar names like Deschutes, Rogue and Anderson Valley, with a particular focus on hoppy, high-alcohol-content IPAs. One of our picks, The Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose (starting at B260 per glass), is made from an ancient German recipe and has a unique salty-grapefruit like flavor.   

16 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-661-3220. Open daily 2pm-12am. BTS Asoke

There's now also a second, bigger branch at Silom next to Whisgars Silom. 

G/F, Holiday Inn Silom, 981 Silom Rd., Open daily noon-midnight 

Wishbeer Home Bar NEW

The guy behind the beer delivery service Wishbeer.com, Jerome Le Louer, has found a proper bar setting for his selection of some 50 imported bottles from around the world. The lofty-spacey space looks pretty much like a coffee shop during the day as you can also get coffee from the nearby Phil Roasters (starting from B75 for espresso) and baked goods from Amantee (B80 for croissant). By night, you can order every bottle that's available on the website, including the likes of Weihenstephaner Vitus (B260/500ml) and the new Modern Times Fortunate Islands (B310/473ml). There are currently eight selections available on tap, such as Limburgse Witte (white beer), Bacchus Frambrozenbier (fruit beer), Brewdog Punk (IPA), Evil Twin Ryan & The Beaster Bunny, Menabrea and Bavaria Premium (all blond), Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier (wheat) and De Molen Op & Top (amber). All are priced at B160/290 per half-pint/pint. Deli-Q grilled cheese and Angel Wings Bangkok are the two main food suppliers during the night. Currently the bar is set to stay open in its current location until the end of the year before it might be forced to relocate.

Wishbeer Home Bar, The Loft Ekkamai, Sukhumvit Rd., between soi 63 and 65, 02-392-1403. Open daily 7:30am-midnight

The Beer Cap

Beer mogul Chris Foo has given the spot that used to be live music staple Cosmic Café a slight retro makeover. Like a more street-style Brew Beers & Ciders, The Beer Cap offers a long list of imported beers, including some intriguing options on tap, right in the heart of RCA. The makeover keeps the grungy look of Cosmic Cafe, but refreshes it with colorful reclaimed furniture. European pub grub like the cold cut platters (B380-740) and sausage and mash (B260), as well as spicier Thai and fusion dishes. Try the drink-friendly salmon zaap (salmon sashimi spicy seafood dressing, B180) and laab moo tod (deep-fried minced pork with herbs, B150/260). The real draw is the beer, with some 100 selected bottles on offer, including Rogue, Triple Karmeliet, Bacchus and Floris (from B240). The beers on tap are completely different from those at Brew, including Limburgse Witte (B140/240 per half pint/pint) and the fruity Bacchus Cherry (B160/280). They serve cocktails, too, like the gimmicky Coronita (frozen cocktail with Corona beer, B350). Now they also brings back the live music vibe to the space by lending the space for gig like Wilderness last month.    

The Beer Cap, RCA Block C, 21/66 Soi Soonvijai, Rama 9 Rd., Bangkok, Thailand. Open daily 5pm-1am. Tel. 02-641-4544

Castle Bar

This Irish Bar on the ground floor of Ekkamai Shopping Mall offers a somewhat Irish pub vibe for those looking for some quality beer, live music and big screens for the weekend football. The food is mainly European favorites with some Thai fusion, all of which pair well with beer, starting with the waffle fries (B140) and deep-fried mushroom (B150). The must-try dishes are the Castle Bar cheese steak (sandwich stuffed with stir-fried pork neck, onion, cheese and “secret sauce,” B250) and Castle Bar ribs (B220). There are three beers on tap: Carlsberg (B95/135 per half-pint/pint), Paulaner Hefe-Weizen (B170/250) and Kilkenny (B140/240). As for bottles, there’s Brewdog, Deschutes and Rogue (B240). Feel free to walk to the fridge inside to update new bottles coming in from time to time.    

Ekkamai Soi 10, 093-936-5659. Open Tue-Sun 11am-midnight

Mikkeller

Opened back in late 2013, this microbrewery originated in Denmark and is renowned as one of the world's first "gypsy" microbrewers, which means they produce unique beers around the world in other people's breweries, is now located in a spacey house with garden in Ekkamai Soi 10. They are recognized for their experimental approach, limited batches and for challenging expectations.

26 Ekkamai Soi 10, 02-381-9891. Open daily 5pm-midnight

O’Glee

Situated a few steps from Salt Smoke on Ari Soi 1, this is not your average Irish bar. The decor is rustic enough, with a few industrial twists in the form of nicely-designed steel and wood table sets, but the beer selection is quite possibly the best this side of town. Highlight bottles including Mikkeller’s Not Just Another Wit (B305/330ml) and Hoppy Joe amber ale (B245/330ml) to Rogue Dead Guy Ale (B260). The new bottles is coming in weekly as well as what's o9n tap. We recommend you visit their Facebook page to update or just hit there for a surprise. Food focuses on a mix of Thai spicy dishes and European's favorites.    

HOBs

Bangkok's very first beer-centric bar seems to open new branches every other month. Our favorite is probably on the second floor of the Rain Hill community mall on the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 47. With every outlet sporting its own unique concept, the HOBs here is decked out to have the look and feel of a train station. Expect all the classic beers on tap, with a few added bottles, including a number of craft beers. There’s also a proper DJ behind the decks spinning chilled-out, groovy house from 9pm onwards every night. 

The Beer Bridge

If you're stuck around Langsuan road, fear not, now you now have a spot to chug good beer at Beer Bridge. The restaurant offers some 100 labels, including the likes of Deschutes Chainbreaker and Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar on tap at B300 for 500ml. The pub grub, courtesy of chef Chalee Kader of Surface, features the likes of fried pork knuckle (B690), braised pork orecchiette (B340) and laab moo tod (deepfried minced pork with chilies and mints, B90).

Niche Beer Ville

One of the founding members of the Beer Lovers in Thailand community and the guy behind Niche Café at The Ninth community mall furthered his passion by opening this standalone. The huge venue, sat right across from The Crystal Park, promises a wide selection of craft beers from all over the world, including some rare drops. Set in the European village theme, this beer garden offers a very wide range of Thai-international fusion, as Geng explains that he grew up in a wong lao [a drinking circle] and often had to use whatever was left in the fridge to whip up some drinking food. Brews span Bavaria, Weienstephan, La Trappe, Hoegaarden, Hoegaarden Rose, Stella Artois and Boddingtons, available on tap (B230/pint, B120-190/half pint), There are over 140 choices by the bottle, including craft beers like Hitachino, Brewdog, St. Bernadus and Chapeau (B200-590). 

482 Praditmanoontham Rd., 02-515-1232-3. Open daily 4pm-midnight

Brew, Beer & Cider

This Thonglor institution is a real haven for beer lovers, offering a staggering 400 imported labels at any given time, including 10 different draughts. The decor looks like a contemporary version of a western saloon, with upturned giant casks for tables as well as a few booths. We also like the laab tod (see here), which pairs along really well with any kind of booze you order. 

G/F, Seen Space, Thonglor Soi 13, 02-185-2366

Branches at Asiatique and Sukhumvit Soi 11, too