Asian Beer

Bangkok
Bureau

Edited by James M. Kelly
When one thinks of beer, there are a number of brands that pop up in the mind. But chances are that none of those brands will be Asian. Although beer has been popular in Asia for almost a century and has been consumed in large quantities, there are very few brands that have been able to win for themselves a global standing.

This is surprising, because Asian food is known to be spicy and nothing eases that hot sensation better than a cold beer. Even the climate has a large role to play in the growing demand for beer. The rising demand could probably explain why, today, there are a number of indigenous brands offering good quality lager.

For instance, China is being touted to becoming the largest manufacturers of beer in the world. Given that China has the largest population in the world, there is no real surprise in the fact that they also have the greatest demand for beer. Presently the country produces and markets almost twelve times more than that produced by a nation like Australia. Even though Indonesia is a Muslim country, this nation too has a thriving beer business. Most of it can be accredited to the high levels of tourist influx.

Similarly, in the Philippines, beer has managed to garner a large market. San Miguel, established in 1890 is one of the largest breweries in South East Asia and is on its path to beer glory. In Japan, beer was first introduced in 1870 by an American named William Copeland. He set up the very first brewery in Japan and called it the Spring Valley Brewery. Today, the Japanese people have adopted beer as their favorite alcoholic drink, as against the indigenous sake. Hundreds of microbreweries are presently functioning across the four islands of Japan.

Over the years, the demand for beer has grown by leaps and bounds in Asia. This reason is one of the prime facilitators for the rise of local breweries and indigenous brands. Today, people all across the world are beginning to recognize brands such as Chang Beer, Kingfisher, Singha Beer and Tiger Beer.