In search of Cambodia's budding brewmasters

Drinkers in Phnom Penh warm to emerging craft beer makers

Doug Marsden- Chug Lab.jpg

Doug Marsden, owner of Phnom Penh brewpub Chug Lab, cut his brewing teeth as a teenager in Australia. (All photos by Markus Bell)

MARKUS BELL, Contributing writer

PHNOM PENH -- Hidden in the Cambodian capital's densely populated alleys and side streets, a new breed of brewmasters is preparing yeasts and pouring pints. From living room nanobrewers to German-style purists, Cambodia's small-batch beer specialists offer soundtracks of heavy metal and slabs of schnitzel to accompany weissbier and sour ales.

But who are the artisans changing Khmer palates? And why are the country's beer drinkers willing to pay more for less beer? With a healthy thirst and a determination to drink my way to the bottom of things, I went in search of Cambodia's finest craft beer.

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