Local Brews

On Tuesday night my flatmate returned from Australia, handing me a couple of newspapers and some glossy inflight magazines. (Seriously great gifts!)

Yesterday I read the reviews on a dozen Australian beers and tried to prioritise which ones I should try when I go back early next year. The Matilda Bay Bohemian Pilsner sounds good. (“… this golden brew balances sweet malt with faintly floral hop characters tied together with delicate complexity, a generous bitterness and a dry, crisp finish.”) Despite the unusual name, the Feral White Beer also sounds divine. (“… flavoured with coriander seed and dried orange peel… The palate juggles citrus and spice characters, with a crisp, tart finish and minimal hop bitterness.”) Then there’s the Moo Brew Pale Ale, Mountain Goat Hightail Ale and Murray’s Sassy Blonde. I’ll need to pace myself…

Closer to home, the first November Phnom Penh Post ran an article on the local rice-wine varieties. It focused less on questions such as whether the palate could be defined as spritzy or complex and more about the perceived health benefits of different shots. In response, Moeun Chhean Narriddh wrote to the editor with some cautionary warnings-

"One sort of wine people should avoid is the so-called Srar Changkeus or Chopstick Wine.
To make money, some roadside vendors in town are said to have produced Srar Changkeus by putting a chopstick soaked with insecticide like Andrin into a big jar of wine mixed with water. People can get very sick or die from drinking such wine.

Srar Kaun Kchei or wine for a mother with a newly born baby is believed to help the mother regain her energy. However, usually the much thirstier father often empties the jar before the mother does.

Srar Bai Barn is believed to arouse a drinker’s appetite. The problem is that the drinker is always drunk before he is full.

Star Reaksar Sophors helps people maintain their beauty. But, be careful. If you are beautiful, you will remain beautiful. If you are ugly, you will remain ugly. So, ugly people are advised to avoid this wine."

Classic! OK- so I won’t be sampling any of these local brews in a hurry. But it did strike me that when it comes to selling alcohol (in any country) a little strategic advertising and a lot of product market differentiation goes a long way. (Just don’t believe the billboard next to the Japanese bridge that promises the handsome boy, sexy girl and “deep conversation”.)