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In this article, Vietcetera introduces four beers selected for their accessibility to people new to craft beer. These were chosen for their relatively low alcohol contents (ABV) and mild bitterness indices (IBU), making them excellent choices for those who are just starting to explore the craft beer scene.
We also recommend these craft beers to anyone looking for a lighter brew that does not skimp in quality or flavor. Thanks to the professional workmanship of Vietnamese brewing experts, the following four beers boast unique flavor profiles that elevate brewing into an art.
TeTe White Ale
The TeTe White Ale is a Vietnamese take on the classic Belgian white ale, known also as the Belgian witbier. This craft beer’s high levels of malted wheat and oats contribute to its shiny yellow appearance and rich flavor. Orange peel infusions and coriander seeds add citrusy and herbal notes to the aroma.
With a bitterness index of only IBU 19, TeTe White Ale leaves behind a mild, pleasant aftertaste. Its alcohol content is average, at ABV 5.5%, so you can enjoy this brew with a meal or on a hot afternoon without guilt.
Where to find it: Bunker Bed & Breakfast Bar – 79/2/1 Phan Ke Binh, Da Kao, District 1, TP. HCM
Fifty-two Triple Z (AKA Bom Vu Du Xai Hard Cider)
Boasting the lowest bitterness index of the four craft beers presented in this article (IBU 8), BiaCraft Artisan Ales’ Fifty-two Triple Z, or Bom Vu Du Xai Hard Cider, is the delicious fermented product of four fruits: apple, papaya, breast-milk fruit, and mango.
This cider has a sweet, aromatic, and refreshing taste. Although its alcohol content is slightly higher than average (ABV 6.5%), the blend of sweet and sour tropical fruits helps mask any alcohol flavor and makes the Fifty-two Triple Z the perfect beer for a night out.
Where to find it: BiaCraft Artisan Ales | Locations
Saigon Rosé
This beer’s tasty pink namesake is popular among gourmets around the world. East West Brewing Co. capitalized on this by combining the flavor or raspberries with a classic American ale, giving birth to the Saigon Rosé.
Unlike most craft beers, the Saigon Rosé is a dreamy pink hue, and its sweetness is particularly attractive to newcomers to the craft beer scene. It is served in a uniquely tall and slender glass, almost as though it were an extra-large glass of champagne.
In addition to raspberries, this beer contains subtle honey and tangerine flavors. Saigon Rosé’s freshness is partly due to its low bitterness (IBU 12) and alcohol content (ABV 3%).
Where to find it: East West Brewing Co. – 181-185 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, TP. HCM
Passion Fruit Wheat
Finally, we present Pasteur Street Brewing Co.’s Passion Fruit Wheat beer. A classic wheat ale, this beer features the refreshing aroma of passion fruit, a light aftertaste, and a golden straw color. The Passion Fruit Wheat has a low alcohol content (ABV 4%) and mild bitterness (IBU 15), though the slight bitterness is masked by the fruitiness of passion fruit.
Yet another reason not to ignore this beer is that it won a Gold Medal at Singapore’s annual craft beer festival, CRAFT, in 2016.
Where to find it: Pasteur Street Brewing Co. | Locations
Other places to enjoy craft beer in Saigon:
- Rogue – 2nd Floor, 13 Pasteur, District 1.
- Au Parc – 23 Han Thuyen, District 1.
- The Old Compass – 3rd Floor, 63/11 Pasteur, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.
- An An Saigon – 89 Ton That Dam, District 1.
- MAD House – 6/1/2 Nguyen U Di, Thao Dien, District 2.
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