Kingdom Breweries: Cambodia's New Craft Beer

Courtesy of Kingdom Breweries

Thursday, Sep. 23, 2010
By Gemma Price
Time Magazine

Cambodia might not be counted among the world's most eminent beer-producing countries, but change is brewing. From its premises on the banks of the Tonle Sap, Phnom Penh's newest boutique brewer, Kingdom Breweries, is gearing up to give local brands a run for their riel — using only the best German and Czech hops, premium German malt and top-quality water to produce its flagship pilsner.

"Can I offer you one?" CEO Peter Brongers asks, proffering an ice-cool bottle of the first batch ever brewed. "Some of the locals might think it's too bitter, but I think it's perfect."

You'll probably think so too, if you like the crisp, light and dry style of European lager. Kingdom's bearded German brewmaster Peter Haupenthal is hoping to win the locals over with his product's body and consistency — important attributes in a town where microbrew is popular but varies wildly in quality, with poor heads, soapy textures and artificial colors (bright red or acid green anyone?) being not uncommon. After plenty of experimentation and patience, Kingdom has only recently arrived at the final recipe that it hopes will educate the market. "Unfortunately, making a good beer takes time," Haupenthal says, "and we can't speed up the process."

The fledgling brand will officially launch on Oct. 1, and visitors are welcome to observe the production process. Tours of the brewery can be arranged and include a chat with Haupenthal and a drink in the on-site bar, with its leather upholstered bar stools, studded Chesterfield couch and hardwood counter.

"When we launch in the market, we want to establish Kingdom as one of Southeast Asia's leading boutique breweries," says Brongers. Looks like Cambodia could finally be taking its place on the world's beer map. See kingdombreweries.com for more.

The Philippines' San Miguel Corp contemplating beer brewery in Cambodia

Friday, August 24, 2007
San Miguel looks to expand brewing in Vietnam and into Cambodia

MANILA (AFP) - San Miguel Corp of the Philippines said Friday it wants to expand brewing operations in Vietnam and possibly into neighboring Cambodia.

Local press reports said San Miguel, Southeast Asia's largest publicly-listed food, beverage and packaging group, would spend up to eight million dollars to build up the capacity of its Vietnam plant.

"The company confirms that it intends to expand its presence in Vietnam and that it is studying the feasibility of putting up a brewery in Cambodia," San Miguel said in a brief statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

It did not give any financial details in its disclosure.

In the press reports, San Miguel beer division assistant vice president Benjamin Aton was quoted as saying that a brewery in Cambodia might cost 16 million dollars.

The company plans to spin off its domestic beer business under San Miguel Brewery Inc. for an initial public offering possibly before the year ends.

San Miguel, which is 20 percent owned by Kirin Holdings of Japan, also plans to venture into other businesses such as power generation and transmission, water and other utilities, mining and infrastructure.