Why we are witnessing the rise of Thai craft beer in America
For the first time ever, Group B of Thailand has revealed it is brewing Thai craft beer in the US to meet growing interest among drinkers. The post Why we are witnessing the rise of Thai craft beer in America appeared first on The Drinks Business.
For the first time ever, Group B of Thailand has revealed it is brewing Thai craft beer in the US to meet growing interest among drinkers.
According to reports via The Manual, Group B USA has claimed to be the first and only Thai craft beer distributor in America and now it has also started brewing stateside too.
Beer lovers and Thai cuisine connoisseurs have previously only been familiar with Singha and Chang beer brands, but in a deep dive interview with Group B CEO Bamee Prapavee Hematat there is now a growing Thai craft beer movement featuring IPAs and beers flavoured with dried bananas.
Hernatat said: “The craft beer scene in Thailand has been growing steadily over the past few years. Driven by a passionate community of brewers and consumers who are seeking more variety, creativity, and quality in their beer. Despite there being more than 100 craft beer brands across the country, the industry is still relatively small compared to the mainstream market, less than 1%.”
The craft beer movement in Thailand has historically been thwarted by government restrictions since only macrobreweries can package and distribute, and the country has strict restrictions on alcohol, including a ban on advertising, which has limited days for sales, high taxes, and little support for microbreweries. However, certain bans are now lifting gradually to attract more tourists.
Due to the rules and also longstanding agreements, the beer market in Thailand is dominated by large corporations and, as a result, mainstream Thai beer has been reigned in by those in power controlling the market and the innovations within it.
Hematat explained: “The difference isn’t just in flavour or scale — it’s also in access to opportunity. That’s why craft beer in Thailand is not just a beer or a community; it’s a movement.”
A new generation of craft rebels who want to circumvent the Thailand’s strict beer laws have, over the years, been responding to demand by going so far as to sell craft beer via social media.
According to Hematat, Group B is now changing things and California has been selected as its launching ground in the US due to the influence of West Coast beer styles in Thailand. Added to this, he pointed out that California’s large Asian population and access to ingredients were another factor that was considered.
Hematat said: “So while the beer is now brewed in America. It still delivers the same spirit, flavour, and story it was born with in Thailand.”
According to reports via The Manual, Group B USA has claimed to be the first and only Thai craft beer distributor in America and now it has also started brewing stateside too.
Beer lovers and Thai cuisine connoisseurs have previously only been familiar with Singha and Chang beer brands, but in a deep dive interview with Group B CEO Bamee Prapavee Hematat there is now a growing Thai craft beer movement featuring IPAs and beers flavoured with dried bananas.
Hernatat said: “The craft beer scene in Thailand has been growing steadily over the past few years. Driven by a passionate community of brewers and consumers who are seeking more variety, creativity, and quality in their beer. Despite there being more than 100 craft beer brands across the country, the industry is still relatively small compared to the mainstream market, less than 1%.”
The craft beer movement in Thailand has historically been thwarted by government restrictions since only macrobreweries can package and distribute, and the country has strict restrictions on alcohol, including a ban on advertising, which has limited days for sales, high taxes, and little support for microbreweries. However, certain bans are now lifting gradually to attract more tourists.
Due to the rules and also longstanding agreements, the beer market in Thailand is dominated by large corporations and, as a result, mainstream Thai beer has been reigned in by those in power controlling the market and the innovations within it.
Hematat explained: “The difference isn’t just in flavour or scale — it’s also in access to opportunity. That’s why craft beer in Thailand is not just a beer or a community; it’s a movement.”
A new generation of craft rebels who want to circumvent the Thailand’s strict beer laws have, over the years, been responding to demand by going so far as to sell craft beer via social media.
According to Hematat, Group B is now changing things and California has been selected as its launching ground in the US due to the influence of West Coast beer styles in Thailand. Added to this, he pointed out that California’s large Asian population and access to ingredients were another factor that was considered.
Hematat said: “So while the beer is now brewed in America. It still delivers the same spirit, flavour, and story it was born with in Thailand.” 
