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Top 11 Authentic Vietnamese Beer Brands Brewed Locally in Vietnam

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In 2019, my journey to Vietnam opened my eyes to the vast and diverse beer culture that thrives across the country. Vietnam is a nation with a deep-rooted history in brewing, offering a wide array of beers that range from local favorites to internationally recognized brands. Some of these beers are exported worldwide, while others are unique to Vietnam and can only be experienced in their homeland. This guide explores some of the most notable Vietnamese beer brands, each with its own distinctive flavor, history, and cultural significance. 1. Saigon Beer (Bia Saigon) Saigon Beer, also known as Bia Saigon, is arguably the most iconic beer brand in Vietnam. Brewed by Sabeco, one of the country’s largest breweries headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, Bia Saigon is a staple in the Vietnamese beer market. This lager, with an alcohol by volume (ABV) content of 4.9%, is crafted using traditional ingredients such as water, barley, malt, and hops. Its smooth, crisp flavor makes it a favorite among...

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Best Beer in Laos — Beerlao

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Beerlao is the most popular and iconic beer in Laos, enjoying widespread recognition and acclaim both within the country and internationally. One cannot travel through Laos without being exposed to Beerlao. Signs, tablecloths, and of course ample amounts of Beerlao beer can be found in pretty much every corner of the country. Brewed by the Lao Brewery Company, Beerlao is a symbol of national pride and an integral part of Lao culture. Here’s everything you need to know about Beerlao. In my personal experience, I had my first taste of Beerlao even before I got into the country while I was still on my Lao Airlines flight into Luang Prabang. That was the first of many Beerlao to come over the course of the next month that I spend in Laos. As essentially the official beer of the country since the Laos government holds a 50% stake in the company, Beerlao is cheap and readily available. In this blog post, you'll learn a bit more about the Beerlao brand as well as Lao Brewery Company who m...

What is a Sour Beer?

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What is a Sour Beer? Sour beer is a distinctive style of beer known for its tart, tangy, and often fruity flavors. This unique beer is crafted using wild yeast strains and bacteria, which set it apart from traditional beer styles. Common microorganisms used in sour beer production include Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Brettanomyces. These contribute to the beer's characteristic sourness and complex flavor profile.  Sour beer is beer which has an acidic and/or tart taste. While sanitization is prioritized when brewing traditional beer, sours are often brewed in environments that intentionally allow wild yeast or bacteria into the brew. By introducing this acid-producing bacteria and other ingredients like fruit to the wort before and during fermentation, brewers are able to achieve a desired level of tartness. Is Sour Beer Actually Beer? Yes. Sours are indeed consider beer. Just like IPA and porter are types of beer, sour is also a type of beer. Despite its unique flavor profile a...

10 Outstanding Reasons to Stop Drinking Alcohol for Good

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1. Drinking is Expensive One of the most obvious expenses associated with drinking is the cost of purchasing alcohol itself. Whether it's a casual drink at a bar or a bottle from the liquor store, these expenses add up quickly, especially for frequent drinkers. Alcohol is expensive and can set you back hundred or thousands of dollars every year. Even if you avoid expensive drinks at bars and restaurants, you can still end up spending loads of money at a grocery or liquor store. This money is much better spent on improving or maintaining your health. 2. You Sleep Better Sober Alcohol disrupts the body's natural sleep cycle, often causing fragmented and restless sleep. By abstaining from alcohol, individuals can experience fewer interruptions during the night, leading to deeper and more restorative sleep. Drinking before bed messes up your sleep. Alcohol prevents you from getting a good night's sleep by disrupting your REM sleep cycles. This results in feelings of sluggishnes...

Understanding the Differences Between Beer and Mead

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What Is Mead? Mead is an ancient alcoholic beverage that dates back thousands of years. Often referred to as "honey wine," mead is created through the fermentation of honey with water. Mead is not considered to be wine, beer, or cider. Instead of using grapes like you do for wine or grain like you would for beer, honey is used to make mead. As different is as beer is from wine, mead is a completely different category. The yeast converts the sugars in the honey into alcohol, resulting in the creation of mead. Is Mead Sweet? Mead can vary widely in sweetness levels, and it's not universally sweet. The sweetness of mead depends on several factors, including the amount of honey used in the fermentation process, the type of yeast used, and whether additional sugars or flavorings are added. One of the biggest misconception is that mead is going to be sweet because it's made with honey. Most people don't realize that honey is one of the most fermentable sugars. Honey a v...