The love of beer in Vietnam did not begin with craft beer, but it has indeed been intensified during the past decade by the number of microbreweries that have popped up on its soil. With western brewing methods becoming commonplace, the craft beer craze has exploded in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, making Vietnam one of the top consumers of beer per capita in Southeast Asia.

Saigon Streets

Other factors have helped promote the popularity of beer here, of course. The appreciation of cold beer in hot weather for one. Vietnam’s tropical climate, youthful population (the median age was 30.4 years as of 2017), and successful push to increase tourism throughout the country have all played a part in boosting appreciation and sales of the delicious beer being brewed here in Southeast Asia’s newest hot spot.

Try the King's flight of 10 beers at East West. You won't win a t-shirt if you finish it, but you might make some friends.



East West Brewing Co.

181 - 185 Lý Tự Trọng, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Website

Industrial design and in-house brewing give a nice nod to American breweries at East West, where local ingredients are incorporated into western-style craft beer striking a balance between these two sides of the globe. Creative, unexpected flavors make exploration of seasonal beers far more adventurous and standard pours are kept exciting with such shenanigans as sweetening the Modern Belgian Dark with đường thốt nốt (Vietnamese Palm Sugar).