Beerlao is back in the UK!
You may not know much about Laos. But if you've ever been lucky enough to travel through Southeast Asia, chances are someone handed you a cold Beerlao on a riverbank or a rooftop, and you never quite forgot it. From now on, you won't need to book a flight to find it because Yoyo Laos Sauce is now stocking the iconic Beerlao!
A beer with a story
Beerlao's origins trace back to 1971, when the brewery was founded as a joint venture between Lao investors and French businessmen. Post 1975, it was nationalised and eventually reborn as the Lao Brewery Company, the home of the Beerlao brand we know today.
The beer found its soul in the hands of an unlikely hero. Madame Sivilay Lasachack trained as a brewer in Europe studying in Copenhagen, Prague, and East Berlin before returning to Laos with a mission: to create a beer her people could truly call their own. She ditched the old French recipe she found too bitter, married a Czech Pilsner-style base with Laotian jasmine rice, and produced something smoother and slightly sweeter, a lager with its own sense of place.
Beerlao's output grew from just 3 million litres to over 200 million litres, and the beer has since collected multiple gold medals at international competitions, including being named Asia's best beer by Time magazine.
Why it's earned a cult following
Back home in Laos, Beerlao holds over 95% of the domestic market its logo appearing on shop signs and café umbrellas in every province. It's said to be the second most consumed liquid in the country after water. Beyond Laos, Beerlao has developed somewhat of a cult following with buyers going to some significant lengths to get hold of it!
What to expect when you try it
The original Beerlao Lager (5.0% ABV) is exceptional, an orange-gold pour with surprising complexity, carrying notes of dried apricot, coconut, and jasmine rice. It drinks thicker and more characterful than you'd ever expect from an everyday lager.
When is available?
After a five year hiatus, Beerlao is now back in the UK in the iconic big bottles (640ml) and available in cases of 12 from the YoYo Laos Sauce website.
Whether you're a curious first-timer or someone who's been hunting for it since a trip through Luang Prabang, Beerlao is finally on your doorstep. Come in, crack one open, and raise a glass. Njok der, as they say in Laos!
