Cam Beer Showdown: Results

So this was a competitive set that does not include other popular beers originating outside of Cambodia. These were ranked based on their initial flavor and how that can equate into quantity of beers consumed. Now, terrible beer can be okay when there are limited option and good beer can be limited in how many you can stomach at once, so this comparison is about which local beers taste the best while not being too "heavy" where you want to stop after one or two.

The Winner: Gold Crown Beer

This beer was crisp, while maintaining a smooth flavor. This had the highest "drinkability" ranking as it did not leave a bitter taste and wasn't too heavy. This beer would be more Bud Light than Busche Light; not that it was over advertised and super popular, but that it was refreshing on a hot day, and could play well with a drinking game.

The rest are listed from second place to worst.

Klang Beer

This beer is special in that it has a 6%ABV, but it tastes like it. You know that sweet flavor that seems to be necessary in a malt beverage? This has it and it is not the most desirable flavor when you need to punish you liver. It was smooth for its ABV, though once the novelty of that wears off, you are left with a just okay beer. This one would be the Busche Light of the group.

Angkor Beer

This is another beer with a higher ABV at 5%. This should help it as it tastes less like a high alcohol content beer while getting the job done quicker, but its flat overall flavor ruined its chances. Its lack of flavor limits it ability to be pounded with the best, though it is better than Cass and Hite.

Bayon Pilsner

This was the first beer I tried in the study, so maybe I wasn't in the right mindset to give it a good ranking or I just needed a primer, but it was a little disappointing. Bayon had the smooth pilsner taste that should help its ranking, but lacked the crispness that makes it easy to knock back.

Angkor Extra Stout

I enjoy drinking stouts, but I will admit that the heaviness of most stouts limits most to just a few until they are too full to carry on. Angkor Extra Stout did not fail to follow in those footsteps. It was too heavy to knock back too many and its flavor was lacking. This tasted more like a stout beet cut this a light beer. Its chocolate aftertaste made it seem like I had added chocolate syrup to a light beer with a milk foam topper. I had high hopes and it disappointed.

So here is a "scientific" evaluation to help anyone who ventures into Cambodia looking for a local brew. The one kicker is that most places have only Angkor Beer on tap or an import.