A Drinker's Guide to Cambodian Beer

Cambodia has one of the most affordable beer scenes in Southeast Asia and a domestic brewing tradition that punches above its weight. A draft beer on Pub Street can cost $0.50. The same beer in a high-end Phnom Penh restaurant might cost $5. Both are real prices for the same liquid. Knowing the difference is part of drinking in Cambodia.

This guide covers the mainstream brands, the craft brewery scene, and what you should expect to pay where.

The big three: Angkor, Cambodia, Anchor

Three lagers dominate the country. Each comes from a different brewery, each has a different price tier, and each has a following.

Angkor Beer

The national beer of Cambodia. Brewed by Cambrew in Sihanoukville since 1991. Named after the temples just outside Siem Reap. A standard pale lager at 5% ABV, light-bodied with mild bitterness. You will see it on tap at almost every bar, restaurant, and hotel in the country.

Prices range from $0.50 for a Pub Street draft to $1.50 in a mid-range restaurant. Bottled versions are $1 to $2 at most restaurants. A 6.5% ABV "Extra" version exists and is worth knowing about if you want a slightly heavier drink without changing brands.

Cambodia Beer

Brewed by Cambodia Brewery Limited (CBL, a Heineken subsidiary). Slightly more bitter and crisper than Angkor, with a small but loyal following. Common on tap in restaurants and at hotel bars. Pricing matches Angkor: $0.50 to $1.50 draft, $1 to $2 bottled.

Anchor Beer

Also from CBL. The Anchor name overlaps with the Singaporean and U.S. Anchor brands but the Cambodian version is its own thing. Pale, light, around 4.5% ABV. The everyday drinker's beer. Slightly cheaper on average than Angkor.

The second tier: Klang, Bayon, Cambodia Premium, Crown

Below the big three sit a handful of brands you will see in cans and on supermarket shelves more often than on tap.

• Klang Beer. Brewed by Cambrew (same as Angkor). Stronger, cheaper, popular with locals at weddings and gatherings. Often sold in 12-packs from supermarkets for around $5 to $7.
• Bayon Beer. Also Cambrew. Named after the temple. Pale lager, similar to Angkor. Limited distribution.
• Phnom Penh Beer. From Khmer Brewery in the capital. A more recent challenger. Decent on tap if you find it.
• Crown Beer. Tries to position itself as a premium option. Easy to find in cans.
• Ganzberg. Cambodia's own attempt at a German-style pilsner. Marketed as premium. Distinctive packaging.

Cambrew stouts

Angkor Extra Stout and Black Panther Premium Stout are both brewed at the Cambrew plant in Sihanoukville. The Extra Stout is a sweet, full-bodied stout common across Asia. Black Panther is heavier and rarer. Both pair well with Cambodian curries if you can find them on tap.

The craft scene

Cambodia's craft beer scene is small but growing. Phnom Penh has the densest cluster of breweries; Siem Reap has a handful of dedicated craft bars and a single working microbrewery.

In Phnom Penh

• Kingdom Breweries. On the banks of the Tonle Sap. Operating since 2009. Their flagship lineup is Clouded Leopard Pilsner, Kouprey Dark Lager, and Kingdom Gold Lager. The taproom does brewery tours.
• Himawari Microbrewery. Inside the Himawari Hotel. Japanese-influenced, small-batch, with a clear pilsner and a strong dark.
• Khmer Brewery. Producer of Phnom Penh Beer plus seasonal craft variants.

In Siem Reap

• Embargo Craft Beer. A dedicated craft bar on the riverside, walking distance from Pub Street. Rotating selection of local and international beers on tap and in bottles. Expect $4 to $8 per pour depending on the beer and size. The best place in town if you want range.
• HomeBrew Siem Reap. A microbrewery on Funky Lane, run by a local couple. Brews on-site. You can order food from neighboring restaurants and they will let you eat it at the bar with their beer. Prices $3 to $5 per pint.
• The Village Cafe & Bar. Sometimes carries craft on the rotation alongside cocktails and coffee. Worth checking.

What to order where

The beer changes its character depending on where you are drinking it. Here is a rough field guide.

Imports

Most bars carry a few imports for the homesick. Heineken, Tiger, and Beerlao are almost universal. San Miguel, Carlsberg, Singha, and Asahi appear regularly. Imports usually cost $2 to $4 in bars and $5 to $9 in hotels.

Real Western craft (American IPAs, Belgian abbey beers) is rare outside the craft bars and a few specialty restaurants. If you want a hop-forward IPA, head to Embargo and check the tap list.

Some practical advice

• It is hot. Drink water in between beers. This sounds patronizing but the climate catches up with people faster than they expect.
• Ice in beer. A glass of ice with your draft is offered at some local bars, especially in the heat. Foreigners often refuse it. Locals know what they are doing. Try one.
• Buy a multipack from a supermarket if you have a hotel balcony and want the cheapest drinking experience in Cambodia. A 12-pack of Klang for $5 to $7 plus a sunset view is hard to beat.
• Happy hour exists everywhere. Most bars run 5pm to 7pm. Some run 4pm to 8pm. A few of the dedicated craft bars do all-day Tuesdays or similar. Ask.
• Tap beer is filtered through Cambodian heat. It will not be as cold as a refrigerated bottle. If freezing-cold is non-negotiable, ask for a bottle.

The beer scene rewards curiosity. Anchor at Pub Street is the floor; a flight of Kingdom craft on a Friday night in Phnom Penh is the ceiling. Most of the good drinking sits in the middle.