When one thinks of beer, typically Germany comes to mind, partially thanks to Oktoberfest which is now celebrated in more and more countries. Being a fan of the more stout varieties, my first thought is usually Ireland. On a hot day, though, a good stout just feels too heavy. When the thermometer is pushing upwards of 30 degrees Celsius, I’m usually looking for something a little more refreshing and light. I used to turn to Mexican beers for that, but after traveling to Asia I discovered beers that not only quenched my thirst but also didn’t fill me up (more room for Pad Thai!), and helped me cool down. If you love Asian food as much as I do, not feeling full prematurely is something you’ll be interested in.
Naturally, unless you’ve been there, you might not consider Asia tobe a prime place for beer. Well, you’d be missing out! Here are some fun facts about Asia and beer. Make sure to check out the cool graphic from Travel Indochina for more information, too.
- Japan leads the continent in its beer consumption. How much do the Japanese love beer? You can find beer in vending machines, and feel free to make your purchase and enjoy your beverage any time of day.
- Mongolia may not be a viable competitor against Japan in terms of volume consumed, but they take their brewing seriously. See the graphic to find out which beers earned them both a silver and a gold medal in 2010!
- China has been brewing this delightful beverage for a mere 9000 years. I’m enjoying a nice cold bottle of their top selling brand Tsingtao as I write this post, in fact. It’s been China’s best seller for 11 years straight.
- Beer is gaining in popularity in Vietnam where it has experienced a 20% increase each year since 2003. Watch out Japan! You may be losing that crown in just a few short years.
When planning your trip to Asia, make sure to plan on trying the large variety of local brews. You just might find a new favorite.
—This post brought to you by Travel Indochina
2 comments
Audrey Bergner
19/08/2012 at 4:40 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
I tried the Kingfisher while I was in India. It was good! Now that I’m in Korea my beer of choice is Cass – you can even pick it up at the local supermarket!
Talon
19/08/2012 at 5:14 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Always nice when you it’s easy to get your favorite beer.