Beers in Thailand

As you know, since I started brewing beer a year and a half ago I've become a told beer snob.  This is a bad thing in Thailand as they have a max of about 5 - 7 beers in any given store/restaurant.  Most have 2 or 3.  However, some are drinkable.  Here's the rundown of the beers:

CHANG:
The national beer of Thailand.  Ubiquitous everywhere we've been.  On the beach, in the Hmong village, on the streets of Bangkok.  Everybody seems to love it.  That must just be because it's cheap.  It tastes like a PBR that's been left out in the sun and rechilled a few too many times.  The first few sips are drinkable but once it starts to get warm, you better start chugging.  The last few sips are brutal.  But, like any beer, the more you drink the easier they go down.  Apparently the hangover is bad too.  ABV: 6.4% though I heard that this isn't regulated and totally depends on the batch.  Sometimes you can get some that are closer to 8%.

LEO:
My favorite beer so far and go to at the bars.  A nice dark lager with a sweeter finish.  Tastes similar to a Sam Adams Boston Lager but a little sweeter.  Was told it doesn't give you the hangover that Chang does though haven't thoroughly tested this theory.  Has a cool tiger on the label which makes no sense because Leo means lion.  Go figure.  ABV: 5.5%

TIGER:
Apparently this has become popular in the States, though I've never seen it outside of Asian restaurants.  It's a darker lager that is totally drinkable.  I think it's a spin off of Leo as they taste about the same and have nearly the same label.  This time the tiger makes sense.  ABV: 5%

SINGHA:
The fancy beer of Thailand.  A bottle of this will run you 10-20 more baht than a Chang.  It's smooth and dark and kinda tasteless.  The label is gold and silver - I think that's why it's more expensive.  ABV: 6%

CHEERS XTRA:
Can't put it better than Tarik did: "That beer smells like ATO!"  It tastes like it too.  Comparable to Natty Ice.  Bought it once and not making that mistake again.  ABV: 6.8%

SAN MIGUEL / SM LIGHT
The national beer of the Phillipines.  A pale ale though not in the sense of american pale ales.  The light is almost completely tasteless - like a Corona Light without the lime.  For some reason they only have the light version in restaurants and I just managed to find a bottle of heavy for the first time today.  It's actually quite good.  Tastes like a Dos Equis.  Apparently Filipino beer tastes like Mexican beer.  Who knew?  ABV: 5%

ASIHA
Japan's national beer.  It's a light pilsner which is much different from the other beers.  It's very drinkable though more expensive than the rest because it has to be imported.  It tastes like Henieken (sp?) and has the same very light color.  ABV: 5.5%

BEER LAOS:
The national beer of Laos.  Supposedly they don't serve any other beer anywhere in Laos.  They export it as well but I haven't seen one since our first trip to Bangkok and I didn't try it then.  Will hopefully find another one soon.

That pretty much sums it up except for Henieken which I don't have to explain to you.  In general all of the beers are sweeter than beers in the States and have a bit higher percentage.  The green Chang labels are everywhere you look.  It's impressive really.  Going to have my first bucket tonight - Saem Song (local whiskey) and pineapple.  Should be an adventure!

Leaving for Bangkok tomorrow afternoon.  A wicked storm blew in this afternoon around 3 and it's still raining.  Guess that means it's time to go.  Will write all about scuba diving tomorrow.