I am in Bangkok for a short break. I love walking when I am in a city. Bangkok has just about got me beat, though, and thank heavens for the ferries along the Chao Phraya river. After a walk through Chinatown, which would probably look excellent at night, I spotted a sign saying “Craft Beer here”. What I’d stumbled across was one of the more unusual craft beer experiences I’ve had.
Remedy’s is not only a small craft beer bar, it is also a Weed shop. As I learnt from all my walking, a weed shop is not all that unusual in Bangkok. They are everywhere. I’ve just never seen it alongside a rack of Craft Beer taps. The six taps offered a most eclectic range of beers. A Cannabis Mead, an IPA, a Simcoe S.M.A.S.H., a Stout and a Yuzu Radler. I thought I’d start with a refreshing Radler, given the oppressive conditions from which I’d just escaped. Oh, boy – wrong move.
What I was served was a deep violet colour and tasted nothing like citrus. What it tasted like was that Grape flavour the Americans have concocted for chewing gum or candy. Sickly sweet, fake ands cloying. I couldn’t get through my $11.54 schooner sized plastic cup. So I switched to Simcoe S.M.A.S.H.. Nope – no luck there – tap was out.
So then I opted for the “New Born IPA”, weighing in at 8.5% ABV. I avoided the Mead Cannabis – I’m adventurous, but I wasn’t going to take the risk of getting all whacky on liquid weed. 8.5% IPA – no problems – I know what to expect, but Cannabis after that Radler – who knows what the brewer did. The IPA was almost British in taste – certainly not an aggressive West Coast beer.
That evening I solved the mystery of the Radler. I was heading towards Jack’s Bar for a spot of evening drinking when I spotted a place called Fish Corner. “Fish and Craft Beer” it promised. I stepped inside and there was a menu very similar to the Remedy’s beer menu.
I think that the sign at Remedy’s had not been updated for a new beer. Violet Yuzu was on the menu – and that had to be what I’d had at Remedy’s. The brewery name is Remedy’s according to Untappd and they must distribute through various outlets. I wasn’t going back for a second crack and opted for the Weizen Beer, which wasn’t too bad.
By the way, Jack’s Bar is the bomb. Tiny, but on the river. My favourite place so far in Bangkok.
back of the ferry 