Beerlao (Bia Lao)

Have you ever had Beerlao?  If you’ve ever been in Laos, I’m sure you’ve tried it… it’s only about 56 cents (USD).  Weird enough, I’ve also seen it in Korea Town in Los Angeles.  I’m not a beer drinker, so I can’t say I’ve tried it.  I was surprised to learn that in 2004, it was voted best beer in Asia by Time Magazine.  The full CBC article can be read HERE.

Watching the sun set over the Mekong River while sipping a cold Beerlao (side order of deep-fried crickets optional) has become a must-do for visitors. And travellers returning home post comments on Internet sites such as: "probably the best beer in the world," "decent beer but massively hyped up," and "when is it coming to Sydney?"

So far only one per cent of production is exported, mainly to Cambodia, Vietnam, France, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and the United States. It also is smuggled into neighbouring Thailand, which puts onerous restrictions on its import.

But Bounkanh said a factory to be built in southern Laos as an export base will double production capacity to some 240 million litres a year.

The enterprise, which traces its origins to French colonial times, added dark brew and a light beer to its regular lager this year and went into a 50-50 joint venture with Denmark’s Carlsberg Breweries, the world’s No. 5 beer-maker.