Bangkok’s brewing scene has been a long, ugly fight—and it’s far from over. Section 152 of the Alcohol Control Laws makes brewing difficult for small producers. Section 32 makes advertising or writing about any type of booze—including in this article—tricky. Earlier this year, a years-long campaign by the now defunct Move Forward Party, spearheaded by MP and brewer Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, to liberalize the brewing laws in Thailand was struck down in the House. But Bangkok abides. This city loves its beer. 

There are ways around the current brewing laws, and everyone from ex-soldiers to get-rich-quick entrepreneurs have found ways to make Bangkok’s brewing scene eclectic, inventive, and profitable. Today, Bangkok’s craft beer barons are bringing good food and better brews to nearly every district in the city. Whether they’re coloring inside the lines by brewing here in Thailand or making their lagers in Vietnam and paying to import, Bangkok’s brewers are on a roll. BK Magazine, in collaboration with Bangkok Beer Guide, is here to give you the inside on how 10 brewers are shaping the scene and your neighborhood.

Samata Brewing

Photo: Samata Brewing / Bangkok Beer Guide

The founding brewer behind Samata Brewing is Supachote “Chote” Chantanasuksilpa, a proud dad you’ll see at beer events around Bangkok. Previously Samata was making his brews in Vietnam, but has since been able to move operations back home to Bangkok this past summer when he opened his own facilities in the Saimai area. The brewery’s specialty is a penchant for fruity and flavorful beers. In particular, this brand is known for their session strength fruit sours, a beer that’s not very strong and relies on the fruit flavors over the sour notes. We weren’t joking about the fruitiness; Samata beers are often turned into ‘slushies’ and served from a slushy machine—much to the chagrin of beer purists.

Where

Samata beer is pretty easy to find in cans or on tap, and often the best place to look is for bars that have a well-stocked beer fridge, like 39 Craft and the two locations of Hair of the Dog. Across the river check out the new Isara Pub & Brewery, or Talat Phlu craft beer bar. SUAD bar near Nana BTS station is a good choice to look out for Samata, and they have hosted events with their slushy machine. A small bar with a big selection, they have something for almost anyone that wants to try something local: beer, sato, mead, and spirits.

Drink

Anything by Samta is recommended, but look out for the brightly colored cans of their fruit smoothie-style beers like Strawberry Lemon Sorbet. Some Samata beers on tap, like the Strawberry Shortcake, are filtered to make pouring in from a keg simple and to make the life of the barman easier. An unfiltered beer from the tap, like Galaxy Milk, is a great introduction to the brand; they look like a smoothie, with a thicker mouthfeel to match. The flavor is a bit sweet, with the passion fruit and coconut flavors coming through over the base of blue lemonade.

Baan Bangkok 

Photo: Baan Bangkok / Facebook 

Baan Bangkok is known for brewing local hazy beers with big flavors. In pre-COVID times, Baan had their own taproom, but when that ceased to be viable, they collabed with Haze in Chinatown as a sort of home location. The brewers behind Baan are Jaqc and Joyce. They brew their beers in Bangkok and live life at their own speed and without much social media cache. But they’re not lazy. They recently did a collaboration with Behemoth brewery out of New Zealand and another with Sriracha Brewing 

Where 

Baan Bangkok beers are not always easily found, but Haze in Chinatown is the best place to get some Baan Bangkok beer. The bar is a top destination for local craft beer drinkers, but also fans of watching English Premier League football (Arsenal fans, go figure). With a big screen for sports and live music on the weekends, we recommend heading a couple doors down for the world class stir-fried chicken noodles by Ann Gwai after pounding some craft beer. Another good place to check is Com’On bar, located near Chinatown and the Bangkok Rail Station. 

What

Baan makes big-flavor beers, so you may want to start the night with a lighter one if you are going to be trying multiple styles. Beer nerd note: a heavy hoppy beer can “burn” the palate and make it harder to taste non-hoppy beers. Baan’s collaboration with Behemoth is Monopoly Pale Ale—so good it’s what other brewers order at Haze. Their hazy IPA Thai-Stick references the cannabis strain popular in the 70’s; while the beer doesn’t contain any THC, the big hoppy flavor has similar notes. 

Sandport Brewing 

Photo: Sandport Brewing / Instagram

Sandport Brewing was founded by Supapong “Toon” Pruenglampoo in 2014. As the laws of beer production changed, Sandport Brewing was part of the multi-breweries project that opened United People’s Brewery by banding together with other brewers. Thai law states only certain production amounts are big enough to be a certified legal brewery. 

Where

The best place to get Sandport beer is where it is brewed: United People’s Brewery, not far from Chatuchak Market. You can get snacks or full meals here and the venue features outdoor seating where the brewing equipment is located for you to snoop around. Inside, the air-conned venue offers live music and sporting events and is a hotspot for Premier League Football, especially Newcastle games. If you’re not up for the hike out to Chatuchak, Changwon Chicken and Beer, the Korean fried chicken and craft beer spot in Silom (their 2nd location in Bangkok), carries Sandport. 

What

One beer worth looking for is the Sa-Mak-Kee Lager: easy-to-drink and goes well with spice. The Tha-Sai IPA was also listed as a “Top 10 Beers of the Year” by Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine—a citrus forward beer with a snappy bitterness. 

Chitbeer 

Photo: Chithole / Facebook

You can’t talk about brewing in Bangkok without talking about Colonel Wichit ‘Chit’ Saiklao. The Thailand craft brew pioneer has been at the forefront of the brewing scene for more than a decade. After spending a number of years in the USA, he returned to Thailand to brew and started teaching others by 2014. His students, such as Devanom, have gone on to change the scene in their own way. Chit’s first shop on Koh Kret has been a pilgrimage for all craft beer lovers to Bangkok, but you no longer have to travel up north for a taste of the good “chit”. He has recently expanded to satellite spots around Bangkok, as well as spaces in Phuket and Chiang Mai. 

Where

Chitbeer, the home brewery on Koh Kret, is only open on the weekends, but the five other Chit Holes in Bangkok are usually open Wednesdays to Sundays at Asiatique, Royal River Hotel, Silom, Sukhumvit 71, and Ban Mueang. Chit Hole Royal River is the result of Chitbeer partnering with the Royal River Hotel to open a craft beer bar on their large patio on the riverfront. It is open air, has a wide variety of beers on offer, and often has food and music. Chit Hole Silom might be the closest to a BTS station at Sala Daeng station. Despite the bar having candles, cloth napkins, and silverware on the tables, the Chit Hole bar section still has local beers priced for the money conscious. 

What

The Hazy Pale Ale collaboration with The Brewing Project is unfortunately already sold out in most places. It was a nice hazy beer with a bit of hops. Hopefully we will see it again. Another to try would be the Porn’s Imperial milk stout. No, there is no milk in the beer, instead it refers to the milk sugars that are used in the brewing process. For a straightforward beer, the Chitbeer pilsner is a good “sit down and enjoy a beer” beer. It’s easy to drink with a little hoppy bite at the end.
 

The Brewing Project 

The Brewing Project / Facebook 

The Brewing Project by Ben Chalach wins awards for both its beers and its can design—which, let’s face it, is how a lot of people choose their craft beers. Brewed southeast of Bangkok at TSI (Thai Spirit Industry) contract brewery near the banks of the Bang Pakong river, head brewer Ben’s beers are probably the easiest to find. They brew a range of beers in modern and traditional styles, and they make sure they’re always in stock. The brand is known for working and collaborating with other brewers both in and outside of Thailand. Their collab with Chitbeer launched at the beginning of November (and is already sold out). 

Where

The brand’s five core beers are on offer at the Duke of Beerington, a top bottle shop in Thonglor. Brewave, which has multiple taproom locations in the city, also sells their brews. A top spot to chill and try some Brewing Project beer is Pijiu Bar in Chinatown, featuring a traditional Chinese wooden decor (pijiu meaning beer in Chinese). But, hey, it’s the Brewing Project, so you don’t have to go anywhere. This is one you can find in the supermarket. 

What

They’ve got quite a wide selection, so it’s the dealer’s choice. Want a solid easy drinking lager when eating a spicy Thai dish? Crispy Boy Helles has got you covered. Fan of wheat beers? There’s Wila Wiezen. Just want a regular IPA? Check out the Raven. Love a modern style haze? Try the Anan, a hazy DDH double-dry-hopped IPA. Beyond their five core beers, the Brewing Project collaborates locally and internationally with the likes of Thai breweries like Thong Pradit in Chiang Mai, Hawkers of Australia, and even local cannabis restaurants like Highland Cafe. 

Taopiphop Ale Project 

Photo: Taopiphop Ale Project / Facebook 

The brewer-cum-politician Taopiph op “Tao” Limjittrakorn is Bangkok’s brewing legislative attack dog. He stands tall in the beer community—and literally at over 2 meters tall. He’s done time for his brewing, and he takes it seriously. Since his scuffle with the law for illegal brewing, Tao has since become a legal brewer, a member of parliament, and has tried his hand at a number of his own bars. His canned beers are brewed at TSI. 

Where

The Taopiphop Bar Project is located on the west side of the river, and doubles as Tao’s political office, featuring large posters of the politician and neon lights on red brick walls as you arrive. It is a relaxing local space serving food on paper plates. You’ll find about six taps and a large beer fridge filled with bottles and cans of local and imported craft beers. The staff is knowledgeable so hit them up for educated recommendations, and the man himself is sometimes behind the bar. You can also find cans of Taopiphop beer at Finger Heart Bottle Shop between Sala Daeng and Chong Nonsi BTS stations. 

What

Even if not always available, Tao’s Black IPA needs a mention. Most IPAs are golden or amber instead of black, and it’s not easy to brew a good IPA as dark as a stout. If that’s not in, a more familiar brew is the Klongsan Pale Ale—slightly fruity with a bitter, dry finish. 

Devanom

Photo: Devanom / Facebook

Founded in 2014 by brothers Nat tachai “Ob” and Teerapat “Art” Ungsriwong, over the past 10 years the brand has expanded. Devanom also produces local mead honey wine and sato, a uniquely brewed Thai rice wine that tastes like a floral Thai version of sake. Devanom has its own farm to grow hops, and recently the head brewer of Devanom took an active part at a chef’s table demonstration at EmSphere for the week-long Merai local Thai alcohol event. 

Where

Found at the MITR brewpub where Devanom is made, this one is not far from Chitbeer on Koh Kret (Devanom beers are also found at the Chit Holes around Bangkok). If you want a crack at their mead, MASH on Convent Road in Silom stocks it, an upscale burger and beer bar a short walk from Sala Daeng BTS featuring 16 taps and a modern decor with exposed pipes and comfortable lighting. 

What

For a modern beer, Devanom has a Juicy Nelson NE IPA (New England IPA) at Chit Holes around Bangkok. It is juicy and hazy and a little stronger than more common lagers. Of course, if you want to give beer a miss, hit up their sato; keep an eye out for this one because it’s one of the best satos you can have in Thailand. 
 

Mardi Craft 

Photo: Mardi Craft / Facebook

A sub brand of TSI, the contract brewery that many Bangkok brewers use to legally produce and sell beer, features beers known for being easy to drink and without overly strong flavors. The Mardi Craft brand has multiple beer series, including the Thai Myth series with traditional artwork on the cans; this line offers a rice lager, a pale ale, and a wheat beer. Their Music series goes with a Bohemian pilsner, a New England IPA, and a fruit witbier. 

Where:

Mardi Craft beers are easy to find, including at the chain of restaurants HOBS at one of Bangkok’s biggest malls, Icon Siam, complete with a view overlooking the river for your beer lover Insta. Mardi Craft beers are also one of the brands making their way into the grocery stores and convenience stores around the city. 

What

Mardi Craft beers are made to be approachable—nothing too strong, too weird, or too experimental. The Killjoy is a traditional bohemian pilsner reminiscent of the Pilsner Urquell for which the style of beer is named. For something a bit more modern, Vibes, a New England IPA, is a little bitter but balances with a juicy feel. 
 

12°Plato Brewing 

Photo: 12°Plato Brewing / Facebook

No list of beers in Bangkok would be complete without mentioning a Bang Na brewpub.The bar and restaurant opened in late 2022, but big plans were underway for 12°Plato Brewing. In October 2023, the brewing equipment was installed so that this spot could finally brew its own beer. The owners would go on to open Eight Days a Week Home bar in the Ari area of Bangkok. 

Where:

12°Plato has a lot of space to play with—that’s Bang Na life—with an indoor area, a bar, outside dining, and a large patio. The vibe comes across as bright, colorful, and family friendly. There also happens to be 21 taps of beer. With enough space for live music and watching sports, the brewpub’s brewing gear is on display and there are brewing classes and workshops available for the budding home-brewer who wants to be Thailand’s next Chit.

What:   

While there will be a chance to try multiple other beers from Thailand and abroad, the first beer to try would be the home-produced pilsner—a standard first beer for many drinkers before the bigger flavors to wash the palate. For other beers at the bar, be aware that the staff often like to use colorful language to describe the beer instead of giving it proper names.

Beer Brain Glossary 

Craft beer can be a little intimidating for the uninitiated. Here’s a little guide to give you a better idea of what you’re ordering. 

Brewpub 

An establishment selling beer brewed on the premises and often includes the services of a restaurant. 

Session Strength

A beer that is usually below five percent ABV. You can enjoy a couple of them without feeling too tipsy. 

Taproom 

A bar that is owned, or related to, a brewery and usually sells the brewery’s beer and other beers. 

Big flavor 

Strong flavors that can often overpower regular beers. 

4 primary ingredients of beer

Water, Yeast, Hops, and Malt. Most beer flavors can be seen as the result of the balance, or strong imbalance, between malt and hops. 

Hops 

Gives beer its bitterness and aroma. 

Malt 

Gives beer its darker color and sugar that the yeast eats to make alcohol. 

Pale Ale 

The predecessor to India Pale Ale, this usually has a low-level of bitterness from using more hops, but not as bitter as an IPA.  

IPA 

India Pale Ale, a beer usually gold in color, but not cloudy; known for having an increased bitterness due to increased use of hops. 

New England IPA (a.k.a Hazy IPA) 

An IPA that has a hazy or cloudy appearance and marked with a note of fruit or juice. Leans heavily on the use of hops. 

Lager 

Generally a crisp, clean, easy-to drink yellow beer. A balance of hops and malt. It’s the type of beer most people drink, created by companies both big and small. 

Pilsner 

A type of lager with a golden color and a crisp, refreshing taste, usually made with a touch of hops to give a slight bitter taste at the end. 

Bock 

A darker lager, usually a bit stronger, with a touch of sweetness (in beer terms) because it uses more malt. 

Stout 

Generally a very dark beer that has been made with a lot of malt, and little hops, so not bitter. Stouts have a wide variety, and can vary from easy drinking to thick and tasting like coffee or chocolate. 

Porter 

A beer that is often dark like a stout, but not as strong and a bit easier on the palate. 

Sour Ale 

Sour beers have an acidic or tart flavor; they can range from a little tingling on the tongue to full sour candy. Sour flavors can come from the type of yeast used. 

Witbier 

Wit is Belgian for wheat, so it’s a wheat beer. Wheat replaces some of the malt in the brewing and is a lighter style of beer. 

Amber 

A beer that uses a little more malt to give the beer an amber color 

DDH double-dry-hopped 

A method in which the brewer adds even more dry hops when brewing to give it double the hop flavor, but not strength.