Drinking in Asia

Travelers must come to terms with their budgets to fully enjoy an extended trip.  Seven countries and five months later, budgeting becomes a nearly unconscious task.  Naturally, this budget included some libations, but fine wines weren’t exactly on the menu.  Even without the import tariffs, lack of availability and questionable storage procedures, a glass of cab sauv just doesn’t go down when it’s 35°C outside.  Fortunately, we have never run into a shortage of lager on our travels.  The local brews aren’t hoppy or dark, but they’re usually fresh and always budget friendly.

5L Towers on Khoa San Road

Hawaii

Beer of Choice: Bud Light (4%)

Retail Price: $0.60/355mL

Served Price: $5/355mL

Others: Red Hook, Kona, Coors

Spirit Option: 1.75L of Captain Morgan Rum for $18

Thailand

Beer of Choice: Chang (6.4%)

Retail Price: $1.50/640mL

Served Price: $3/640mL

Others: Leo, Singha

Spirit Option: 700mL of SangSom Rum for $10

The strong wine had its charms

Vietnam

Beer of Choice: Bia Saigon (4.2%)

Retail Price: $0.50/450mL

Served Price: $0.75/450mL

Others: Bia Hanoi, Bia Hoi, Saigon Star

Spirit Option: 650mL of Ruou Rhum Rum (30%) for $1.50

Cambodia

Beer of Choice: Anchor Smooth (5%)

Retail Price: $0.75/330mL

Served Price: $1/330mL

Others: Angkor, Black Panther

Spirit Option: 700mL of Whiskey (20%) for $1

Laos

Beer of Choice: BeerLao (5%)

Ummmm?

Retail Price: $1/640mL

Served Price: $1.75/640mL

Others: BeerLao Gold, BeerLao Dark

Spirit Option: 750mL of Super Tiger Whiskey (20%?) for $2.50

Langkowi Duty Free Island (Malaysia)

Beer of Choice: Skol (5%)

Retail Price: $1/330mL

Served Price: $1.66/330mL

Others: Tiger, Carlsberg

Spirit Option: 1L of Absolute Vodka for $14

Extra points for the sunset!

Malaysia

Beer of Choice: Anchor Smooth (4.2%)

Retail Price: $5/620mL

Served Price: $5/620mL

Others: Skol, Tiger, Carlsberg

Spirit Option: 600mL of Male Silkworm Chiew* for $20

Bali (Indonesia)

Beer of Choice: Bintang (4.7%)

Retail Price: $2.50/620mL

Served Price: $3.50/620mL

Others: Anker, Bali Hai

Spirit Option: 750mL of Bacardi Rum for $60*

*Not attempted.

The verdict: BeerLao Dark was the best tasting beer overall, although Bintang had a little german import class (skunk) thanks to the green bottles it came in.  That's not to say we didn't miss our homebrew and hops - more than a few times we coughed up $6 for an imported ale!

Thank goodness!

Dave