Craft beer is becoming increasingly popular in Cambodia, with more and more bars and restaurants offering a selection of local and international craft beers. But with so many different styles of craft beer available, it can be hard to know where to start.
That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to the most common craft beer styles available in Cambodia. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or just looking to try something new, we’ve got you covered.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
Pilsner
Pilsner is a light-bodied beer with a straw-like colour and a slightly sweet flavour. It’s one of the most popular craft beer styles in Cambodia, and it’s perfect for drinking in the heat of the day. It’s a type of lager.
Pale Ale
A pale ale is a type of beer that is brewed with pale malt. The colour of a pale ale can range from light amber to golden. Pale ales are usually well-balanced and have a moderate to high hop bitterness. Some examples of popular pale ales include Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Deschutes River Ale. In Cambodia Riel Brewing’s Citra Pale Ale is one of the most popular ones.
IPA
IPA stands for India Pale Ale, and it’s a type of craft beer that is known for its hoppy flavour. IPAs are usually light to medium-bodied, and they can range from amber to dark in colour. The Intergalactic Pale Ale from Riel is a good example of this style.
Lager
Lager is a type of craft beer that is light in colour and has a crisp, clean flavour. Lagers are typically lower in alcohol than other types of craft beer, making them a good choice for drinking in moderation. It’s related to the Pilsner. A popular craft lager would be, for example, Samuel Adams Boston Lager.
Porter:
Porter is a dark-coloured craft beer with a rich, roasted flavour. Porters are typically medium to full-bodied, and they can be quite strong in terms of alcohol content.
Stout:
Stout is a type of craft beer that is very dark in colour and has a thick, creamy texture. Stouts are typically full-bodied and have a complex flavour that can include notes of chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt.
Imperial stout:
Imperial stout is a type of craft beer that is very dark in colour and has a high alcohol content. Imperial stouts are typically full-bodied and have a complex flavour that can include notes of chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt. We have previously done an interview with Mischa Smith from Pasteur Street Brewing about their Cyclo Stout.
Wheat beer:
Wheat beer is a type of craft beer that is made with a significant percentage of wheat. Wheat beers are typically light-bodied and have a slightly sweet flavour. They can be either unfiltered or filtered, and they range in colour from pale to dark.
Saison:
Saison is a type of craft beer that is known for its fruity, spicy flavour. Saisons are typically light-bodied and have a golden or amber colour. They are often carbonated and can be quite dry.
Belgian ale:
Belgian ales are a type of craft beer that is known for their complex flavour. Belgian ales come in a wide range of styles, and they can be either light or dark in colour. many Belgian ales are bottle-conditioned, which means that they continue to ferment even after they’ve been bottled.
Sour
Sour beer is a type of craft beer that has a tart, acidic flavour. Sour beers are typically light-bodied and have a pale or golden colour. They can be either spontaneous or fermented, and they often contain fruit flavours.
Lambic
Lambic is a type of sour beer that is made using spontaneous fermentation. Lambics are typically light-bodied and have a pale or golden colour. They often contain fruit flavours, and they can be either dry or sweet.
Gose:
Gose is a type of sour beer that is made with salt and coriander. Goses are typically light-bodied and have a pale or gold colour. They can be either dry or sweet, and they often have a citrusy flavour.
Fruit beer:
Fruit beer is a type of craft beer that is made with fruit juice or pureed fruit. Fruit beers can be either light or dark in colour, and they range in sweetness from dry to sweet.
Smoked beer:
Smoked beer is a type of craft beer that is made with smoked malt. Smoked beers are typically dark in colour and have a smoky flavour.
Wood-aged beer:
Wood-aged beer is a type of craft beer that is aged in wooden barrels. Wood-aged beers can be either light or dark in colour, and they often have a complex flavour that includes notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel.
Barleywine:
Barleywine is a type of craft beer that is very strong and has a high alcohol content. Barleywines are typically dark in colour and have a sweet, malty flavour.
Non-alcoholic craft beer
Non-alcoholic beer is beer that has the alcohol content reduced to under 0.5%. At this moment you can only find a few macro beer brands in Cambodia that sells NA beers. This would be Heineken and Carlsberg. The local craft brewers have experienced with non-alcoholic craft beers but you are unlikely to find them at any bar at this moment.
You can try most of these styles at well-known craft beer bars in Phnom Penh like Embargo and The Box Office.
Click here for more information about craft beer in Cambodia.
