Beer Lao Dark now in Hua Hin

[Spitfire]

Haven't been to Lao for a while now but when I did used to go I always remember getting small cans of Stella, nice change from what's available in LOS.

I'm a fan of Beer Lao for sure, dark or lager, nice.

[PET]

If Beer Lao is so good why is it not available at wholesalers, because there is no import duty between the two countries, and so the price should be very competitive?

If some bar owners put their mind to this that could well have a significant turnover and hence profit.

[PeteC]

If Beer Lao is so good why is it not available at wholesalers, because there is no import duty between the two countries, and so the price should be very competitive?

If some bar owners put their mind to this that could well have a significant turnover and hence profit.

My theory is that the Thai beer barons are trying to block it at the distributor level, i.e., you sell Lao and you can't sell Singha, Chang, Leo etc. They and everyone have known for a long time that Beer Lao is better than what the Thais brew here. There's also a history of bad blood between Beer Lao's majority owner, Carlsberg, and I think Boon Rawd who I recall where their Thai partners before. Pete

[Spitfire]

Yes, technically, there is "supposed" to be a free trade agreement area over the ASEAN members (1st Jan 2010), but a certain amount of protectionism by vested interests is going on still by the looks of it. You can buy it in many tourist places such as Pattaya/Bangkok etc but it is being prevented from spreading to all areas, or being available in 7-11 for example.

As Prcscct implied, they may be fearful of it being too popular to the detriment of their own beer, plus the aforementioned bad blood.

[Spitfire]

As an afterthought, on top of what has been mentioned, there could also be supply restrictions too, ie they just can't make enough of it. The Lao folks drink little other brands of beer and I can remember a bar owner saying one time when I was there that they are limited to a certain amount of it each week which they can buy.

If you've ever been to Vientiane and taken the road from the Friendship Bridge to the city then you drive past the Beer Lao factory, and it's not that big to be honest.

This could have changed as I haven't been to Vientiane for about 3 years but they were having supply problems then anyhow.

This coupled with what has been said about protection could go someway to explaining why it seems to be elusive in many places.

Nevertheless, it should still be more available in Thailand than it is IMO.

[migrant]

They have the canned light beer Lao here in California, but I've never found the dark (and I've tried!!)

[PeteC]

There's a second factory open now....."On May 24th 2008, Lao Brewery Co., Ltd officially opened its second factory in Chapasak province with the honorable presence of H.E Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister, and Standing member of the Government. This plant composes of a full managerial and technological system. The factory’s production’s line is fully in command of computerized systems and innovative machines generating its annual production capacity of 50 million litters and could be extended to 200 million litters. In addition, carbonated and soft drinks affiliated to Pepsi Inc. are also produced here."

....total capacity of their two breweries: "Since the founding in 1973 the company has committed to growth and development. Currently, the annual production capacity stands at 210 million liters of beer and 21 million liters of drinking water. It is now regarded as the innovative leader of beer and beverage producers in Lao PDR." Pete

[hhfarang]

My theory is that the Thai beer barons are trying to block it at the distributor level, i.e., you sell Lao and you can't sell Singha, Chang, Leo etc. They and everyone have known for a long time that Beer Lao is better than what the Thais brew here. There's also a history of bad blood between Beer Lao's majority owner, Carlsberg, and I think Boon Rawd who I recall where their Thai partners before. Pete

I think you hit the nail on the head there Pete. If Beer Lao was allowed to be sold everywhere in Thailand it would put a huge dent in the profits of the Thai beer companies.

[PET]

Who says it cannot be sold in Thailand or is this just guess work ?

Surely their is at least one enterprising bar owner who can place an order and see what happens

[STEVE G]

Was there not an import tariff that stifled the market for imported beers?
I believe it was due to go to zero this year with the Asian Free Trade Area agreements.

[PeteC]

Was there not an import tariff that stifled the market for imported beers?
I believe it was due to go to zero this year with the Asian Free Trade Area agreements.

It went to zero some months ago which has given rise to my theory above. Pet is right though. The only way to tell is for a local establishment to order it from their distributors and see what happens. Pete

[hhfarang]

I know two local owners who tried to order it and the distributor said they could not get it. One uses a distributor out of Bangkok too; however, I know several bars and restaurants in Bangkok where it is available so either there is a distributor there who is able to get it or they have someone bring it in for them on a regular basis. It's expensive in those places so maybe they have to pay someone to make a border run in a pickup once a month. My wife's family lives on the Mekong on the Lao border and it isn't even sold in that area. When I'm up there I either send my wife across to buy some or her sister orders it for us from someone she knows on the Lao side who will deliver it to their house. It's dirt cheap in Laos.

[STEVE G]

According to the Lao website, the Thai distributor is:


NKT IMPORT-EXPORT CO., LTD.
300/2 Moo 10, Mittraphap Road,
T.Phochai, A Muang, Nongkhai,
Thailand.
Tel: (0066) 42-413231
Fax: (0066) 42-413298
Contact Person: Mr. KO owner of Big Jiang
Department store in Nongkhai and
Mr. Somchai Marketers in Bangkok
http://www.beerlao.la/eng/distribution.php?id=20

[hhfarang]

I guess you have to buy a s**tload of the stuff to get delivery from Nongkhai. Maybe several bar/restaurant owners could go together and have a big truckload brought down from there to see if it sells.

[migrant]

I guess you have to buy a s**tload of the stuff to get delivery from Nongkhai. Maybe several bar/restaurant owners could go together and have a big truckload brought down from there to see if it sells.

It reminds me of the college days in Michigan. Anyone heading west of the rocky mountains could buy Coors beer. Back then that was the magical brew, unavailable east of the Rockies.

Guys would fill their vans with Coors and sell it for enough profit to pay foir the trip