Beer Lao surprised me in 2005 during my first visit to Laos.  I’m thrilled on this visit that the quality is still there.   There’s only one brewery in Laos and fortunately they know how to spike their lager with a respectable dose of malt and hop character.   

     I’m currently in Luang Prabang an United Nations World Heritage Sight.  Good beer fits the ambience of culture and heritage – and a daily thirst for a good beer.

     Having visited the Beer Lao Brewery in Vientiane in 2005, I learned the woman brewmaster is Lao and studied brewing in Germany.  The beer is made with a moderate amount of rice which refreshes and lightens the body of this well made “Asian” style pilsener beer. 

     For beer lovers there’s malt character that one can respect   Hop bitterness is refreshing and goes well with both the warm climate and Lao food.   
     The real test for me is being served a not so cold beer and having it still taste great.  Beer Lao lager passes the test.

     The light lager is at about 5% while their dark version weighs in at 6.5% but I don’t notice any increase in alcohol taste.  The dark has hints of toasted malt sweetness somewhat reminiscent of German dunkel (dark) lager.  It’s crisp, clean and actually matches up with Lao cuisine even better than the lighter lager or the significant amounts of French, Australian, Chilean and Argentine wine available.  The beer is a bargain.

     I posted a note on Facebook the other day, which read:  “Charlie is having Belgian beer in Laos.  Not the freshest stuff this Maredsous here…”  A friend replied, “Still makes more sense than a Laotian beer in Belgium.”  This I almost would agree with.  In either case transporting beer from opposite ends of the earth and not being able to care for it is an insult to the brewer.  We did not finish our pricey Belgian Maredsous.  That tells you something. 

     I’ll return to the small riverside beer garden called L’ Usine because I admire their effort bringing some diversity to this out of the way place.  I'm curious as to what condition the Chimay Red and Blue are in, LeBecasse Kriek I’ll probably pass on, Pauwel Kwak may be worth connecting with.  Leffe Blonde and Dark and Hoegaarden are here as well as Belgian Stella Artois made my Anheuser-Busch Inbev now, but I’m no way going to pay 6 times the price of a fresh Beer Lao for a Stella a light lager and journeyed over 5,000 miles.   I probably wouldn't pay equal money either.

Photo above: Laotian specialty spicy and fragrant minced fish salad, called Lap is excellent with local Lao beer.