Lao Beer

Lao Beer, the authentic taste of Laos in Bokeo Province

If you ever have the chance to travel to Laos, especially to Bokeo Province, I, mr.hotsia, would like to share my firsthand experience with “Lao Beer,” a popular drink among Lao people that is almost impossible to find in Thailand or anywhere else in the world. This is because it is not produced for export but made exclusively for Lao people and tourists visiting the country.

Lao Beer, or as Lao people write it “ເຂຍລາວ” (Kheuy Lao), but it is not pronounced that way. I learned this because I was curious and looked up Lao language textbooks. I realized that some Lao and Thai characters look similar but are pronounced differently. Especially this word, which does not have the vowel 'ee' in Lao, so it is pronounced exactly like “Lao Beer” in Thai. For those who want to become a son-in-law of Laos, we can talk about that later!

The story of Lao Beer from Vientiane to Bokeo Province

I spoke with locals familiar with the main Lao Beer production site in Vientiane, which I have visited several times. Lao Beer does not use the Mekong River water flowing through Laos as raw water for production but uses clean and pure groundwater instead. This is the key to creating a unique taste unlike any other in the world. Besides water, “Lao rice,” which remains natural and minimally processed, also plays a significant role in giving Lao Beer its distinctive character.

The Lao Brewery Co (LBC), controlled by the Lao government, is the major producer of Lao Beer. In 2006, the Danish company Carlsberg acquired half the shares, ensuring the quality remains excellent and consistent. I, mr.hotsia, have tasted it many times and can say that Lao Beer has a slightly sweet taste and is easier to drink than many brands we are familiar with at home, like Singha or Leo beer.

Tasting experience of Lao Beer in Phongsali, Bokeo Province

The last time I traveled to Phongsali in Bokeo Province, after having to survive on instant noodles late at night because all restaurants were closed, I didn’t miss the chance to make up for it in the morning by ordering food along with a cold bottle of Lao Beer at a nearby Chinese restaurant. Phongsali is a quiet town but offers a fair selection of Chinese and Lao food.

Lao Beer here contains 5% alcohol, the same as typical Thai beers, but it has a slightly sweet and easy-to-drink flavor with its own unique aroma. It suits those who do not like very bitter beer or even girls who are just starting to drink beer, as it is not as bitter as some brands we know. But be careful, even though it’s easy to drink, drinking too much will still get you drunk.

The price is about 10,000 kip per bottle, roughly 40 Thai baht, at restaurants in Phongsali, which is considered affordable. If you buy it at convenience stores, the price is about the same. Interestingly, Lao Beer holds about 99% of the market share in Laos. Almost no one chooses other beers, even though there are cheaper new brands like Tiger Beer or “Nam Khong Beer.” Lao people and tourists still choose Lao Beer as their number one choice.

Connecting lifestyle and travel in Bokeo Province

If you travel to Huayxai, Bokeo Province, which is a border crossing point I have written about in an article,Huayxai Bus StationHere you will see the authentic lifestyle of Lao people with morning and evening markets full of fresh produce, vegetables, fruits, and interesting local foods, as I described inHuayxai Morning-Evening MarketVisiting here helps you understand Lao people better, and sipping a cold, sweet Lao Beer while resting after shopping at the market completes the true travel experience.

From Huayxai, you can continue to Tonpheung town, which is not far away, a town with diverse cultures and ethnic groups, as I described inTraveling to Ban Tonpheung, LaosAnd if you want to see an ancient pagoda dating back thousands of years discovered in the middle of the Mekong River, don’t forget to visitWat Don Savan, Ban Tonpheungwhich is another spot that impressed me, mr.hotsia, greatly.

Summary of mr.hotsia’s impressions of Lao Beer

Lao Beer is not just a drink but a part of the culture and lifestyle of Lao people that I experienced during my travels in Bokeo Province. Sipping cold Lao Beer amid the peaceful atmosphere of a small town like Phongsali or in the fresh market of Huayxai made me feel more connected to this local area. And of course, I still insist that if you have the chance to visit Laos, you must not miss trying authentic Lao Beer at least once because it is a flavor you won’t find anywhere else in the world.