Beers of Myanmar

Does Myanmar have a craft beer scene?

The short and simple answer to this question is that at the moment: no, not really.

This did not come as a surprise however, the country has only “opened up” a few years back, so I did not expect to find craft breweries, or brewpubs.

However, what I did discover in my two weeks so far here was pleasantly surprising!

I wasn’t surprised by the variety of beer, only having come across pilsners/lagers, imperial pilsners/lagers and stouts. I was however surprised by the sheer quantity and availability of the stuff, coupled with the extreme amount of advertisement.

In my first two weeks here so far, I have travelled across the country by bus, three sweaty 10 hour trips so far to be exact (two of which had a number of puking people), so I did have the chance to look out the window somewhat.

Advertising, Myanmar Style

In both the countryside and in the towns that I have visited, it seems that every second house has a poster or banner depicting one of Myanmar’s different beer (sub) brands. Even in the middle of nowhere, I observed little shacks proudly displaying a beer banner to passers-by.

How’s that for advertisement?

This was also the case for venues serving beer! From cities to towns, to shacks in the middle of nowhere, on the lakes or in the mountains, there is beer to be drunk everywhere! This is something, which I never expected in Myanmar!

Restaurants, small stands or aptly named “beer stations” all serve a refreshing, but somewhat limited, number of brews. Most beers are served in 640ml bottles and are extremely cheap! The cheapest bottles I have come across so far are at the place where I am sitting right now writing this blog, the bottles here cost only 1,500 Kyat which is around €1,15! (Aye Mya Thida Restaurant, New Bagan).

So, lets talk about the brews shall we?

During my time in Myanmar so far, I have come across a few different beer styles (Pilsners/Lagers, Imperial Pilsners/Lagers and a Stout or two).  My experiences so far, in order of consumption:

1. Myanmar Beer

Pilsner ABV 5%

Enjoying a Myanmar Beer @ 19th Street, Yangon

Myanmar Brewery Limited (MBL) brews this beer named after the country itself. The brewery has links to the military and as such enjoyed unchallenged market dominance, until recently…

Since the country “opened up”, Myanmar Brewery has started facing competition from international brewers such as Heineken and Carlsberg. However, with a beer market share of two thirds, this brewery is still the biggest player in this beer loving country. 

The beer itself is very enjoyable; a clear, crisp and refreshing pilsner with a very pure taste. The beer is sometimes also mixed with a shot of local whiskey, to give it an extra kick!

Myanmar beer also has won numerous international beer awards, which are proudly displayed on its bottles!

2. Black Shield Stout

Stout ABV 8%

Enjoying a Black Shield Stout @ 19th Street, Yangon

 This hard-hitting 8% stout comes is a sub brand of the Myanmar Brewery. This is definitely the strongest stout that I have come across so far here in Myanmar, and coupled with the extremely hot weather here (39 degrees Celsius at the moment), this is definitely a brew which you need to be careful with.

Not particularly refreshing during the day, but when served extra cold at night, this brew can be quite enjoyable. Simple in terms of taste, but just fine as your average stout (albeit a bit strong)

3. Mandalay Strong Beer

Imperial Pilsner/Lager ABV 6.5%

Mandalay Strong @ New Bagan

 As the name suggests, this imperial is brewed in Mandalay, Myanmar.

I am also drinking this beer right now, whilst writing this blog!

Formerly a cannon factory, the site was transformed into a brewery by the British in 1886. After suffering bankruptcy in the early 90’s, external investment brought the brewery back to life. Having brewed a wide variety of different brews under the British, the brewery now produces around five different brews, most notably a beer brewed with Spirulina which is a algae said to have certain anti aging properties.

I have until now come across just one of Mandalay’s beers: the strong beer!

A light imperial lager, with 6.5% ABV, the brew gives the fresh and crisp taste of a lager an extra kick!  

Mandalay’s Brews are brewed by: Myanma Economic Holdings Limited.

4. DAGON Lager Beer

Lager ABV 5%

DAGON! @ New Bagan

 Brewed by the  DAGON beverages company, this is another refreshing lager produced in Myanmar!

DAGON has also won a number of international beer prizes, and like Myanmar beer, proudly displays these on its bottles! This beer is also quite often a bit cheaper than Myanmar beer, whilst being almost as good!

On the DAGON website, it is stated that DAGON is also available in 500ml cans which are “for both commercial and army personnel”, the military really doesn’t mess around!

5. Andaman Gold & Gold Special

Enjoying a Andaman @ New Bagan

Andaman is another sub brand of the Myanmar Brewery. The Andaman Gold displays many similarities to Myanmar beer, in terms of taste, and represents yet another enjoyable Myanmar Pilsner/Lager.

Just a bit more special

  The Andaman Gold Special on the other hand is characterized by an almost strong ale taste, making it quite unique here in Myanmar. Marketed as am (imperial) lager, the special comes very close to a strong golden ale taste! And with the limited choice here in Myanmar, this made the brew particularly enjoying.

6. Regal Seven

Lager ABV 5%

Regal Seven @ New Began

Regal Seven is brewed by the Alliance Brewery Company, in which Heineken holds a 57% stake (the remainder being held by the Alliance Brewing Company). Regal Seven represents the second brand that Heineken wants to use in the Myanmar market, the other being Heineken itself.

Regal Seven is marketed as a local beer by Heineken, whilst Heineken beer itself is marketed more as a premium beverage. The beer really is “local” as it is brewed locally under contract and not by Heineken itself.

The brew itself is a clean, crisp, refreshing lager!

7. El Diablo Super Strong Brew

Imperial Lager ABV 12%

El Diablo!

And yes, it is exactly as the name suggests.

I came across this heavy hitting monster in the far corner of a small supermarket, hidden in a small fridge.

I was surprised, and pleasantly so, to find such an abstract beer here in the middle of Bagan.

Diablo is brewed by Bali Hai Pt, and is an American sub brand. The beer is much in line with such extreme imperial lager/pilsners, strong alcohol taste and not much else.

However, the aftertaste did have some complexity, which made this monster more enjoyable than I would have expected.

All in all, a surprising abeit a limited beer experience here in Myanmar so far. Apart from the beers mentioned above I came across beers such as Heineken, Tiger, Tuborg and ABC Stout.

It will be interesting to see how the beervironment will change in the next years, as Myanmar becomes more and more accessible to the outside world (and outside breweries).

 Cheers!

My Ratings:

Myanmar Beer: 3.25/5*

Black Shield Stout: 3.5/5*

Mandalay Strong Beer: 3/5*

DAGON Lager: 3/5*

Andaman Gold: 3/5*

Andaman Gold Special: 3.25/5*

Regal Seven: 3/5*

El Diablo Super Strong Brew: 2.75/5*