This time for #BeerSaturday, I'll share my experience in Bangkok, where finding local craft beer can be surprisingly difficult. While the country has some well-known beers, Thai craft brews remain rare in Europe and aren't always easy to track down locally either.
The main reason is that brewing in small quantities is illegal. The law dictates that either a minimum of 100,000 hectoliters per year must be brewed, or the beer must be produced on-site at a taproom with at least a 1,000-hectoliter annual capacity.
Importing beer is also expensive, yet you will sometimes find Thai craft beer that has been brewed in Vietnam and then re-imported to Thailand.
Bootleg Brothers Brewing Co.
The first taproom on the list has found a solution: they have a large brewing system on-site. I get the impression that they produce much less than their full capacity, but the law only requires the capability to exist.
The beers they brew are solid and well-crafted, but the location is a bit too hip. It’s set in a beautiful green oasis inside a shopping mall, attracting a crowd that’s more about "seeing and being seen." However, you can find a quiet corner near the brewery and observe the shoppers below. If it’s too hot outside, the air conditioning is a welcome relief.
The beer is pricey—this will be a recurring theme—but the snacks are well-priced, and the nuts are free.
Mikkeller
An honorable mention goes to Mikkeller. Naturally, it's an expensive expat bar, and unfortunately, they had no local beers when I visited. They do have a special beer sold exclusively here, but even that is brewed abroad.
Like many other Mikkeller locations, this one is in a quieter residential area of Bangkok, making their garden a real oasis.
Beyond the spacious garden, charming veranda, and cozy indoor space, the upper floor is also available for group rentals. Unfortunately, they don’t offer food, and—just to reiterate—the beer is very expensive.
Hazy Hound
If you're looking for a nice craft beer walk, Hazy Hound is conveniently on the way back to the business district. It’s a small venue (and relatively quiet when I visited), with seating inside and a small balcony facing the street.
The beer selection isn’t massive, but they have tasty snacks, and everything is reasonably priced. A great, relaxed stop along the way!
MASH
Located in the heart of the Business District, MASH has the vibe of a classic pub. If you visit on the weekend, you might find it nearly empty. At the bar, I was told that this is really a weekday bar, buzzing with office workers after hours. The upside of a quiet Saturday night? The bartender had plenty of time to chat about the beers.
Thaisoon
We’re getting to the end of the list, and this is definitely one of my two winners. Thaisoon is on the edge of the tourist-heavy Khaosan Road area. If you want to party but start with some quality craft beer, this is the place to go.
The staff is friendly and happy to talk about the beers. They offer a wide selection of Thai craft beers, including options from Sonthaya Brewing, The Brewing Project, and Pheebok Beer.
They also have a great food menu, with both snacks and proper meals at reasonable prices.
One important thing to note: many taprooms (especially outside the city center) follow the alcohol ban between 2 PM and 5 PM. Thaisoon does not enforce this restriction.
Om’s Living Room
For me, the ultimate winner in Bangkok is Om’s Living Room. And it is exactly what it sounds like: Om started a bar inside his living room. It’s located in a residential neighborhood, and from the outside, with its paper-covered windows, you’d have no idea what’s going on inside.
Inside, the setup is simple, but it's all about the beer. Everything is true homebrew and only available on tap (something to do with fines per "container," making it risky to keep 100 cans of homebrew on-site). During my visits, I had great conversations with the brewers themselves.
They offer some crisps but no real food. However, ordering in is no problem. One night, someone working at a nearby restaurant even brought fried chicken for everyone in the bar.
Conclusion
Despite Thailand’s strict beer laws, you can still find great craft beer in Bangkok. The spots above are my favorites. Of course, there are larger places like BrewDog, but I left those out this time. For me, Om’s Living Room is the true winner—local beer, with locals.
Next time, I'll take you beyond the city and onto a Thai island, where finding craft beer comes with its own unique challenges. Stay tuned!