The craft beer scene in Vietnam has exploded over the last few years.
With humble beginnings of a plastic-chaired Bia Hoi to the now booming industry with beer festivals and tasting throughout the year, Ho Chi Minh City is home to one of the fastest growing craft brewing scenes in the world.
Pasteur Street Brewing
Address 144 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh, Bến Nghé Quận 1 Hồ Chí Minh
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The oldest craft brewery in the city, Pasteur Street Brewing opened in 2014 and is one of the frontrunners of craft beer in Vietnam. Named for the location of its first taproom, Pasteur Street is putting out some of the best beers in Vietnam. Alex Violette, head brewer, uses American craft brewing techniques while sourcing Vietnamese ingredients to create an amazing combination.
There’s a constant rotation of limited edition brews available (durian beer!) and they’re starting to can some of their classics, like Passion Fruit Wheat. Located in a side alley just off the main street on Pasteur Street, they’re consistently opening up new tap rooms all around the country.
Some of their award-winning beers
• Cyclo Imperial Stout
• Passionfruit Wheat Ale (my favorite)
• Saigon Saison
• Jackfruit Wheat Ale
Winking Seal Brewery
Address: 50 Đặng Thị Nhu, Nguyễn Thái Bình, Hồ Chí Minh
One of the newest players in the craft brewery scene in Ho Chi Minh, Winking Seal has the best IPA I’ve ever had. Its one taproom is located just off the main street of Tran Hung Dao in between Districts 1 & 5.
Their tap list isn’t as extensive as some of the other breweries, but Winking Seal definitely ascribes to the quality over quantity philosophy. Their One Eye Imperial IPA is my favorite IPA of all time, and I’m normally not a fan of IPA’s (it’s that good). In addition to their normal lineup they put out a lot of fun seasonals like their Christmas Candy Cane Cream Ale and their Halloween Candy Apple Amber, and Blood Red Ale. If great beer wasn’t enough the food is fantastic. I always get the fish tacos and mac and cheese balls.
One of the best parts about Winking Seal is how friendly the staff and owners are. On any given night you may run into Mark, one of the founders, running around the bar.
Must Try Selections
• One Eye Imperial IPA
• Baby Fatso Stout
• Nom Nom Nom Cream Ale
• Kaptain Kenny Irish Red
Heart of Darkness Brewery
Address 31D Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh
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Named for Joseph Conrad’s novel of the same name, Heart of Darkness sports an insane list of rotational beers. With over 100 beers in rotation you never know what’s going to be on the menu. If you get hungry, their wings are the best I’ve had in town, and they just added an insanely hot sauce to the menu. They were the hottest wings I’ve ever eaten, and I literally used to eat ghost chilies for breakfast. Every week there’s a pub quiz, and they regularly host interesting events like live music, or all you can drink (until someone leaves the room). It’s a trendy spot for locals, expats, and tourists.
Some tasty favorites
• Kurtz’s Insane IPA
• Pitiless Folly Pale Ale
• Patient Wilderness Wheat Ale
• Gone to Sea Gose
East West Brewing
Address 181 - 185 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
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The most impressive taproom on the list goes to East West Brewing with a massive taproom and Ho Chi Minh’s first in-house craft brewery. Located just down the road from the famous Ben Thanh market, shoppers can quench their thirst or get a little bit of liquid courage before trying to haggle with the Vietnamese vendors. With a more upscale feeling and ambiance, East West is an impressive addition to the craft brewery scene here. If you’re in town on a Sunday, they do an amazing brunch that includes free flow mimosas, Bloody Marys and craft beer. I honestly can’t think of a single beer I dislike here.
• Saigon Rose
• Coffee Vanilla Porter
• East West Pale Ale
• Lychee Sparkling Ale (Seasonal)
Bia Craft Taproom
Address: 1 Lê Ngô Cát, phường 7, Hồ Chí Minh
If you’re running low on time and can only stop at one place and want to sample everything, then Bia Craft may be what you’re looking for. Located in District 1, Bia Craft serves up suds from all of the local breweries of Vietnam and not just Ho Chi Minh City. Not nearly as fun as going on a pub crawl of the whole city and chatting with the owners/brewers, but if time is a factor and you don’t want to miss a single taste, then this is the spot. If you find something you really like, they even have their own canning machine and will can a tall boy for you to take home with you.
There are plenty of other breweries out there and simply not enough time to name them all. If I’ve missed any or if you know of any others that you think should be on this list, let us know, leave a comment, and follow us for more great travel content.
CHEERS AND HAPPY TRAVELS!
Originally posted at OROXY