For years, drinking beer in Phuket meant choosing between Singha, Chang, and Leo — three lagers that range from fine to interchangeable. Then Thailand's craft beer scene emerged, and Phuket, with its large expat community and international tourist base, became one of the most interesting places outside Bangkok to find decent craft beer. It's still small, it's growing, and you need to know where to look.
The honest context: Thailand's alcohol laws make domestic craft brewing complicated (more on that below), so many of Phuket's best craft beers are imported. But there's a genuinely local Phuket craft beer industry emerging, led by Phuket Brewing Company, and the quality is real.
The Best Craft Beer Spots in Phuket
Phuket Brewing Company — Old Town
The most significant entry in Phuket's craft beer story. Phuket Brewing Company operates out of a beautifully restored Sino-Portuguese building on Phang Nga Road in the Old Town, with a dedicated brewing operation and taproom. Their core lineup includes a wheat beer, an IPA, a stout, and a session lager — all brewed on-site. Quality is consistently good and improving year-on-year. The taproom is atmospheric, the food is solid (mainly pizzas and bar snacks), and it draws a genuinely mixed crowd of expats and Thais.
Draft prices: ฿180–฿260 for a pint depending on style. The brewery tour (when available) is worth doing — the brewing setup is surprisingly sophisticated for Phuket.
Timber Hut — Yaowarat Road, Old Town
Phuket Town's most beloved expat bar and the default answer to "where's good for a drink on Friday?" It has been on Yaowarat Road since 1989, which is genuinely remarkable in Phuket's restaurant landscape. The beer selection is broader than you'd expect — a rotating selection of both Thai craft and imported bottles alongside the standard draughts. Regular live music and a loyal regular crowd. Not flashy, very good.
Bookhemian — Thalang Road, Old Town
A craft beer bar with a bookshop attached, which is either the best or worst idea depending on your temperament. In practice, it works — the bar area has a good selection of domestic and imported craft beer by the bottle, knowledgeable staff, and a bohemian Old Town atmosphere. Good spot for a quieter afternoon or early evening drink before the Walking Street market on Sundays. Beer prices: ฿120–฿220 for bottles.
Craft & Draft — Cherng Talay (near Boat Avenue)
The north Phuket option for Bang Tao and Laguna expats who don't want to drive to Old Town. Good selection of imported taps and a sensible food menu. Less atmosphere than the Old Town options but reliably consistent. Gets busy with a mixed expat crowd on weekends.
The Riviera Bar — Nai Harn
The south Phuket option. The Riviera serves a broader food menu than most craft beer bars but has developed a solid beer selection including several Thai craft labels. Good terrace area. Popular with the Rawai/Nai Harn expat community as a regular hangout.
Thai Craft Beer to Know — Local Labels Worth Trying
| Brand | Styles Available | Where to Find | Price (can/bottle) | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phuket Brewing Co. | IPA, Wheat, Stout, Session Lager | Phuket Brewing Taproom, select bars | ฿120–฿180 | ✅ Yes — genuine quality |
| Chit Beer | Lager, IPA, Wheat | Rimping, specialist bars | ฿80–฿140 | ✅ Good entry-level Thai craft |
| Sandport Beer | Various ales | Specialist craft bars | ฿120–฿200 | ✅ Consistent |
| Chatri Beer | Lager, Hefeweizen | Beer shops, some supermarkets | ฿90–฿150 | ⚠️ Good when fresh; date-check |
Buying Craft Beer at Home — Supermarkets and Bottle Shops
Rimping Supermarket (Chalong and Cherng Talay) has the best imported craft beer selection available to retail in Phuket — a rotating selection of European and Australian craft cans and bottles at prices typically ฿120–฿220 each. Villa Market at Boat Avenue is also solid for imported craft. Both stock craft beer from Belgium, Germany, UK, and increasingly US and Australian independent breweries.
For serious craft beer buying, there are a few small independent bottle shops in Phuket Town — ask in the expat Facebook groups for current recommendations, as these change fairly regularly.
Comprehensive Health Coverage for Active Phuket Life
Whether it's beach bars or brewery hopping, make sure you're covered with expat health insurance that includes direct billing at Bangkok Hospital Phuket.
Get a Free Quote →Relocating to Phuket? We've Got You.
From which area to live in to where to drink on Friday — we've done the research. Need personal guidance? First question is free.
Ask Us Anything →