Vietnam is currently one of the fastest growing craft beer scenes in Southeast Asia. Alongside its contemporaries South Korea, China and Hong Kong, the country is experiencing a craft beer renaissance. I lived in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon as locals like to call it) from 2016 to 2020, when the new boom took root. At the time, new artisans and breweries were popping up almost every month. Today, the city is teeming with talented producers capitalizing on Vietnam’s beer revolution.
From banh mi to bubble tea
A typical night out for any Saigon visitor consists of mobile stalls selling everything from banh mi to bubble tea, cute female hostesses who guide men to bars, and pubs with small plastic chairs. increase. Getting around the city is easy. Uber, which once operated in the city, was acquired by Malaysian company Grab and now dominates the transportation gig economy.
Within the downtown district, dozens of venues sell hundreds of locally brewed Vietnamese beers, usually in beer towers. World-class taprooms and beerhouses are within walking distance for any visitor staying in District 1, but a bike taxi is an inexpensive (and somewhat ) method, albeit unstable.
where it all started
I joined as soon as I came to Vietnam. Saigon Craft Beer FestivalThis was the beginning of my love for Vietnamese craft beer. Held annually in September, the festival features dozens of up-and-coming craft beer makers to promote their products.
Ever since I first discovered the craft beer spirit in this city, I have sampled beers that are second to none in the world. The Saigon Craft Beer Festival is just the emblem of a movement that has grown exponentially since the first taproom opened in Saigon in 2013. East West, Pasteur Street, and Fuzzy Logic Brewing Company were the face of the avalanche that began as a brewery in Vietnam and engulfed the country. The most populous metropolis in the south.
Saigon Outcast, No.188/1 Nguyen Van Huong, District 2
The venue for this year’s festival is Saigon Outkast. This outdoor bar is north of downtown in District 2, so you’ll need a cab. Outcast of Saigon has refurbished the shipping container and the table underneath, installed skateboard ramps, a fully functional climbing wall and an extensive beer selection. This venue is best visited on weekends and when special events are held.
Located in the upmarket and affluent neighborhood of Thao Dien district, Saigon Outkast is surrounded by luxurious mansions and buzzing with Vietnamese and expat Saigonians who come to dance to live music and watch some form of entertainment. is often The venue’s open-air atmosphere is perfect for outdoor events such as craft beer festivals, weekly flea markets, and various food festivals.
bullish beer market
Until 2013, national and Vietnamese beers dominated the market in Vietnam. French settlers brought many European customs and delicacies to Vietnam, which still thrives today. Beer became popular when the country opened its market to international brands.
Ten years later, Anthony Bourdain’s favorite country is now home to dozens of renowned artisan brewers. Most have taprooms or huge outdoor beer gardens. For Saigon, service is always generous, friendly, and prompt.
Breweries supplying the market have no shortage of places to sell their products. Some well-known bars also feature a wide variety of craft beers from both domestic and international sources.
Roosterbeer’s, 40 Bui Vien Street, District 1
One of the busiest places for al fresco dining is Bui Vien Street, the hub of Saigon’s nightlife. The boulevard once straddled a busy road, causing several drunk-related accidents as taxis and bicycles passed by tourists.
Since then, city officials have pedestrianized the streets, ironically further reducing walking space. Located just off the main drag. rooster beerone of the earliest names for craft beer huts.
Rooster Beer’s Taproom offers a unique setting and is the flagship bar to enjoy in the footsteps of Bui Vien’s crazy crowd. Think of a young boy breathing fire or a funny old man offering his head a massage while watching a backpacker inhale laughing gas. This bar is the perfect place to enjoy the downtown Saigon vibe and the best fried chicken wings anywhere in the city.
From Ohio to Ho Chi Minh City
Rob Stevenson, an Ohio native who lived in Saigon for a long time, was an independent brewer who rode the wave of craft beer demand at the time. mekong beer brewing company in 2014.
He started brewing as an informal family business during the “Wild West” brewing era, before government regulations made such small-scale production impossible. “A 200-liter underground operation was no longer viable,” Rob explained in an interview. “So we switched to contract brewing.”
He currently commissions breweries in the Long An area to produce a range of beers, including the original Blue Elephant IPA, Bengal Ambush Blonde with Vietnamese Ginger, and his own original beer. Personal Favorite: Albino Rhino Double IPA with lots of Citra hops.
keep locals happy
Dozens of South Vietnamese vendors now stock Stevenson’s beer, which is a feat given his company’s roots. “We had a freezer in our apartment. “It was stressful!”
One of Rob’s challenges was to get locals involved and see value in the beer. Because this beer is much more expensive than the global brands and Vietnamese beers you are familiar with locally. But Rob, who can get such great “ingredients, spices, and fruits,” loves what he does and may one day open a taproom.
For a night out to sample the best of Saigon, Rob recommends Saigon Craft in his hometown’s Phu My Hung district.
Saigon Craft, 68 Ly Long Tuong Street, Tan Phong, District 7.
Run by a friendly Kiwi (affectionate slang for someone from New Zealand) and his Vietnamese wife, Saigon Craft, also known as Phu My Hung (Korean Town to locals), is one of D7’s upscale neighborhoods. in one.
Saigon Craft is located on the southern edge of the city, beside a tributary of the Saigon River surrounded by mangroves. This hip little spot has a great selection of artisan beers, ciders, and other beverages, many of which are locally sourced.
The suburban setting is perfect for travelers who prefer a more relaxed setting than the bustle and bustle of Saigon’s downtown district. Being on the outskirts of town most evenings, the loudest noises are the occasional rumble of tugboats, the honking of motorbikes passing by, or the cicadas wading across the river.
Owner Matt was able to travel Asia as a salesperson and was drawn to the area’s casual atmosphere to start a bar in District 7. The bar also offers a selection of high-quality gastropub favorites to match its extensive drink menu.
brew a dream
One of Saigon’s most successful brewers is John Pemberton, who arrived on the scene in 2016 following in the footsteps of pioneers Pasteur Street, Fuzzy Logic and RoosterBeers. They “paved the way” for the rest of the brewery, he says.
“At 21, I left England with a one-way ticket to Thailand and $100 in my pocket,” recalls John. “I haven’t looked back. Technically, I’m still on that journey.”
Living in New York City at the turn of the 2000s influenced his love of American craft beer. The Australian-born British then came to Vietnam to work as a procurement officer for IKEA’s Asian market. He fell in love with the country and now has a great legacy.
Heart of Darkness Brewery, 31D Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe District.
John’s product is named “Heart of Darkness” after Joseph Conrad’s favorite book. Located in the bustling District 1, our flagship taproom offers nine core beers and other seasonal options. Depending on the season, you can try anything from passion fruit mojito sours to chili/cucumber pilsners, all made with local ingredients.
heart of darkness The brewery has an innovative chef who offers menus to match the bar’s award-winning beers. So if you’re looking for Saigon’s best New England Pale Her Ale to finish off your Cajun seafood platter, Heart of Darkness is the place to be. Additionally, the brewery recently opened its first taproom outside of Vietnam in Singapore.
Authentic American craft beer experience
“We really want Heart of Darkness to be an authentic American craft beer experience, especially for locals,” John explains as we discuss our homage to the spirit of Cygonia. “We also want all solo travelers, locals and foreigners alike, to feel welcome in our bar. Our cheeky Vietnamese staff are warm and funny.”
Joseph Conrad’s novels are central to the brewery’s branding. Additionally, the special label reflects its connection to Francis Ford Coppola’s epic Vietnam War film. hell apocalypse (Naturally John’s favorite) The film is based on Conrad’s novel and was filmed in Vietnam.
Curiously, there is an element of fate in Heart of Darkness stories. “We opened the taproom on Joseph Conrad’s birthday,” laughs John. But he reveals something akin to fate. “I didn’t notice until the first anniversary one year later!”
BiaCraft, 1 Le Ngo Cat Street, Phuong 7, District 3
finally, beer craft A mention is needed here. Beercraft (Beer is the Vietnamese word for beer) boasts “Vietnam’s most extensive craft beer collection,” with 15 in-house products ranging from creamy stouts to strawberry Werner Weisse to their own honey mead. The brewery also stocks drinks from other local producers.
BiaCraft offers customers an unparalleled selection of 43 different draft beers, ciders and stouts. 56 bottled drinks (including 2 Mekong Delta products) and 38 cans. And if that’s not enough, the bar menu is designed to go with the beer, with recommendations for each plate.
If you love craft beer and love the vibrant outdoor city life, you’ll love drinking in Saigon.
This article was written and distributed by Wealth of Geeks Travel.
