Can I find craft beer and wine in Cambodia?
Yes — Phnom Penh has a growing craft beer scene with breweries like Botanico and Cerevisia ($3-6/pint). Wine bars like The Wine Boutique offer curated selections ($6-15/glass). Local beers (Angkor, Cambodia) are everywhere at $0.50-1. Cambodia has some of Asia's cheapest beer prices.
- Craft beer: Botanico and Cerevisia in Phnom Penh ($3-6/pint)
- Wine: The Wine Boutique (PP) has the best selection ($6-15/glass)
- Local beer: Angkor Beer is ubiquitous ($0.50-1 everywhere)
- Happy hour: $0.50 draft beers common at tourist bars
Beer & Wine Overview
Cambodia is a beer-drinking country. Angkor Beer, the national lager, flows freely at every meal, celebration, and gathering. The craft beer movement arrived around 2015 and has been growing steadily, with Phnom Penh now offering genuine craft options alongside the ubiquitous mass-market lagers. Wine is available at upscale venues but remains a niche market.
For beer lovers, Cambodia offers extraordinary value — draft beer from $0.50 is the norm at local establishments, and even craft pints rarely exceed $6. Wine drinkers face higher prices due to import taxes, but a growing number of wine bars offer quality selections.
Cambodia's beer culture centers around shared meals. Ordering beer by the bucket (5-6 bottles on ice) is common at restaurants and BBQ places. The "beer girls" (brand promoters) at restaurants will try to sell you their brand — it's part of the culture, not a scam.
Craft Breweries
Botanico Craft Brewery & Bar
Beers: IPA, Pale Ale, Stout, seasonal specials
Phnom Penh's best craft brewery. On-site brewing with rotating taps. Beautiful garden setting. Excellent food menu. Live music weekends. The go-to for craft beer lovers.
Cerevisia Craft Brewery
Beers: Blonde Ale, Wheat Beer, IPA, Red Ale, seasonal
Cambodia's pioneering craft brewery (est. 2015). Taproom visits with brewery tours available. Distribution to bars and restaurants across PP. Belgian-influenced brewing.
Himawari Craft Beer (Hops Brewery)
Beers: Lager, Wheat, IPA, Dark Ale
Riverside location with river views. Japanese-influenced brewing. Part of the Himawari Hotel group. Good food pairing menu. Relaxed riverside atmosphere.
Siem Reap Brewpub
Beers: Pale Ale, Lager, Wheat, seasonal
Siem Reap's main craft beer option. Fresh beer brewed on-site. Good post-temple refreshment spot. More accessible location than PP craft options.
Kingdom Breweries
Beers: Pale Ale, Lager, Blonde Ale
Cambodia-brewed craft brand widely available. Good gateway from macro lagers to craft. Found at most mid-range to upscale restaurants and bars.
Wine Bars
The Wine Boutique
$6-15/glass, $20-100/bottleCity: Phnom Penh | Address: Street 240, Daun Penh
Phnom Penh's best wine bar. Curated selection of French, Australian, Chilean, and New World wines. Knowledgeable staff. Cheese and charcuterie boards. Intimate atmosphere.
Oskar Bistro
$5-12/glassCity: Phnom Penh | Address: Street 104, Daun Penh
European bistro with an excellent wine list. Good selection by the glass. Wine dinners and tasting events periodically. Nice food pairing options.
Topaz Wine Bar
$8-20/glassCity: Phnom Penh | Address: Norodom Blvd
Attached to Topaz restaurant. Premium wine selection, strongest in French wines. Ideal for a pre-dinner glass or wine-focused evening. Extensive cellar.
Miss Wong
$5-10/glass, cocktails $6-8City: Siem Reap | Address: The Lane (off Pub Street)
More cocktail bar than wine bar, but carries a decent wine selection. 1930s Shanghai-inspired decor. Famous for cocktails but good wine by the glass. Atmospheric.
Local Beer Brands
| Brand | Type | Price | ABV | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angkor Beer | Lager | $0.50-1 (draft/can) | 5% | Cambodia's national beer. Light, crisp lager. Ubiquitous — found everywhere from street stalls to fine dining. The default order at any restaurant or bar. |
| Cambodia Beer | Lager | $0.50-1 | 5% | Second most popular local beer. Slightly sweeter than Angkor. Widely available. Strong brand loyalty among some Cambodians. |
| Ganzberg | Premium Lager | $0.75-1.50 | 5% | Premium positioning between Angkor and imports. German-influenced brewing. Growing market share. Slightly more complex flavor than Angkor. |
| Kingdom Pilsner | Craft Pilsner | $2-3 | 4.8% | Local craft brand. Clean, well-made pilsner. Bridge between mass-market and craft. Available at better bars and restaurants. |
| ABC Stout | Stout | $1-2 | 8% | Strong stout popular across Southeast Asia. Sweet and heavy. High ABV. Acquired taste but has dedicated fans. Available at most bars. |
Best Places to Drink
- Phnom Penh — BKK1: Highest concentration of craft bars and wine venues. Botanico, The Wine Boutique, and numerous cocktail bars.
- Phnom Penh — Riverside: Tourist bars with happy hour deals. Himawari Craft Beer for riverside craft pints.
- Phnom Penh — Bassac Lane: Container bar alley with cocktail bars, craft beer, and street food. Hip, young atmosphere.
- Siem Reap — Pub Street: The famous party street. $0.50 draft beers during happy hour. Loud and fun.
- Siem Reap — The Lane: More sophisticated drinking off Pub Street. Miss Wong and other cocktail bars.
- Kampot: Riverside bars with cheap beers. The Rusty Keyhole and Oh Neil's for social drinking.
Drinking Tips
- Ice is safe: Ice in bars and restaurants is factory-made from purified water and is safe. Street cart ice is less reliable.
- Happy hours: Tourist bars often have rolling happy hours with $0.50-1 draft beers. Check before ordering at full price.
- Beer girls: Brand promoters at restaurants will recommend their beer brand. It is fine to politely decline and order what you want.
- Drink responsibly: Cambodia's extremely cheap alcohol combined with heat and dehydration can be a dangerous combination. Alternate with water.
- Do not drink and drive: Cambodia has drunk driving laws, though enforcement is inconsistent. Use tuk-tuks, Grab, or PassApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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