The Best Beers In Cambodia
Cambodia doesn’t get talked about enough as a beer destination, but it should. Cold beer hits different in the jungle, and after some time drinking in Siem Reap…I’ve got a pretty good feel for which to buy.
Here are the best beers in Cambodia, in order. (My opinion of course)
1. Cambodia Beer
If you visit Cambodia and don’t drink a Cambodia Beer, did you even go?
This is the beer of Cambodia. It’s been around since 1994, it’s everywhere, and there’s a reason locals and tourists alike reach for it first. Cambodia Beer is a light, refreshing lager…nothing fancy, nothing challenging. Just cold, clean, and perfectly suited to refresh you after a full day at the temples.
The taste is crisp with a slightly sweet finish and almost no bitterness. It goes down easy, which is exactly what you want when you’re eating street food in the humidity. Cans are about a dollar at a local shop, and even at tourist-facing restaurants you’re rarely paying more than $2.
Cambodia Beer is also deeply woven into the culture. You’ll see the logo everywhere on restaurant signs, tuk-tuks, etc.. Drinking one feels like participating in culture, not just ordering a beverage.
The best part about Cambodia Beer is the pull tab. If you’re from the west, you’ll notice you rip the “sippy part” right off the can. At the time of my trip, you could even win prizes under each tab you rip off. We won a free beer almost every time, it was incredible. Get Cambodia Beer and enjoy it.
2. Angkor Beer
Angkor Beer is Cambodia Beer’s main rival, and it’s a close second for good reason.
Named after the most famous landmark in the country, Angkor has been brewed in Cambodia since 1996 and is one of the most recognized beer brands in Southeast Asia. Like Cambodia Beer, it’s a light lager, but Angkor has a slightly smoother, more neutral flavor profile with less of the sweetness. Some people actually prefer it for that reason.
It’s just as widely available as Cambodia Beer, just as cheap, and goes great with Khmer BBQ. You’ll find it on tap in many bars across Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
Where Angkor edges things up slightly is in marketing and presentation. It’s often the beer of choice at bigger events, music festivals, and upscale-ish venues. It also comes in a larger 640ml bottle that’s very popular for sharing.
I had my first Angkor beer while playing at Angkor Golf Club, and it was fantastic. It could’ve been skewed due to how I was playing…but who knows!
3. Hanuman Beer
Hanuman is the newcomer on this list, and it’s already punching well above its weight.
Hanuman Beverages opened its Phnom Penh brewery in October 2021 with serious ambition. For a country where most beer is purely functional, Hanuman came in with a genuine craft-forward mindset.
The result is a noticeably higher-quality lager. Hanuman Premium Lager has more depth than Cambodia or Angkor there’s a cleaner malt character and a slightly more complex finish that suggests someone actually cared about the brewing process. It won a gold medal at the Monde Selection Beer awards in June 2022, which is not nothing.
It’s slightly pricier than the other two and not quite as ubiquitous yet, but it’s becoming easier to find across Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. They also make Hanuman Black, a Schwarzbier-style dark lager that’s worth trying if you spot it.
Hanuman was the first beer I had while in Cambodia. At first, I was a little intimidated about the country, but after a Hunaman Beer at Pub Street…I felt right at home in SouthEast Asia
Honestly…every beer in Cambodia is going to be the best beer. It is such a sun place to visit.
Check out my Angkor Wat Tips or Siem Reap War Museum posts if you are traveling to Cambodia
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