Traveling through Southeast Asia, beer enthusiasts are often surprised by the limited selection. In fact, each country has its own signature brew, brewed with pride as a symbol of national identity. Thailand has Chang, Singha, and Leo; Laos has Beer Lao; and Cambodia has Cambodia Beer, or the famous Angkor Beer, whose slogan is none other than "my country, my beer."

The history of beer

Today, Asians are the largest market in the world for brewers.

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

Asia has produced many fermented beverages, with the most famous being Japanese sake, which, like beer, is a "fermented grain alcohol." However, beer does not originate from these various Asian influences but from the brewing traditions of the Old Continent. Regardless of the country, it was Europeans who imported the brewing expertise during the colonial era and established most of the first breweries!

For example, Tsing Tao was launched by Germans in 1903 while the city was a German colony. Chang Beer, widely known in Thailand, originally stemmed from the Danish Carlsberg beer and was later acquired by a Thai company. Lastly, the Cambodian brewery Angkor Beer was established in the 1960s by French entrepreneurs.

Cambodia's beer selection includes light blonde beers as well as some dark beers, such as ABC or Angkor Stout. Other beers consumed mainly in rural areas, like Klang and Black Panther, have a higher alcohol content. Beer quickly became a cultural matter, with hops taking center stage at every celebration. Often poured into a mug filled with ice, it is consumed both at small gatherings with friends and at wedding banquets.

"My Country, My Beer"

Local beer is the primary alcoholic beverage in Cambodia. The production of Cambodian beer represents over 70% of alcohol consumption.

Today, Angkor Beer (not to be confused with the Singaporean Anchor Beer, which is also widely available in Cambodia) remains the number one beer in Cambodia, with 1.5 million bottles produced per day. Promoted with the American-style slogan "My country, my beer," you can find its signs everywhere in the country, from the facades of restaurants in Phnom Penh to small street-side eateries in rural areas.

Angkor Beer, now brewed by Carlsberg Group but originally created as Cambrew Brewery, has been Cambodia's flagship beer since 1963. The brewery is located at the top of a mountain overlooking the port city of Sihanoukville, just 10 minutes from the city center.

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

A promising market

Import taxes and strict distribution regulations restrict the importation of foreign beers, limiting it to major groups with significant investment capacity and legal resources.

Some breweries have sought to enter foreign companies' capital to tap into new markets. For example, Japan's Asahi, Thailand's ThaiBev, and the Netherlands' Heineken have recently invested in Sabeco, a giant Vietnamese brewing company. Meanwhile, Irish brewer Guinness bypassed import tariffs and transport issues by setting up breweries directly on the Cambodian territory.

In Cambodia, Asia Pacific Breweries Limited created Cambodia Brewery Ltd in 1994, in partnership with a local entity. 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 most recent, has been available on the Cambodian market since 2011.

To meet the growing demand, many independent microbreweries have emerged. Kingdom Breweries, based on the banks of the Tonlé Sap River since 2009, offers beers such as Clouded Leopard Pilsner, Kouprey Dark Lager, and Kingdom Gold Lager.

The man behind this project, Peter Brongers, a Dutchman who ventured into this business, explains: "I lived in Bangkok for 15 years. There, the pubs are plentiful with high-quality, diverse beers. I simply thought we should do the same here!" Peter Brongers believes the market is less competitive than in neighboring countries.

Eager to promote its product, Kingdom opened a bar on the second floor of its headquarters, where visitors can freely come and taste Cambodia's latest beer creation.

Since 2010, Asian brewers have been brewing more than their European counterparts, accounting for 32% of global production compared to 30% in Europe. While China represents the largest share of demand, with more than 70% of total beer consumption in Asia, beer in Cambodia remains a national product. Independent breweries with diverse offerings have a great chance of capturing the market in the years to come.

For a locally brewed beer in a small haven of peace, head to Street 29 in Phnom Penh at Botanico Wine & Beer Garden… a true beer oasis!