Hanoi Draft Beer

Like bread, beer was brought here by the French in the late 19th century. Alfred Hommel established the first brewery in Hanoi in 1890 to satisfy the beer needs of soldiers as well as other soldiers. French people live here. Vietnamese people at that time were still not really used to this Western drink because to them, traditional rice wine was still richer and more oppressive. Initially, Mr. Hommel's factory had only 30 employees and produced about 150 liters of beer per day. But after 1945, his factory had 300 employees and about 5 million liters of beer/year. Beer gradually became popular and popular not only with the French but also with the Vietnamese middle class to satisfy the sophisticated and connoisseur taste in the eyes of friends. Not only was the beverage more appealing than rice wine, but beer was also more affordable than imported wines at the time.

After the liberation of the capital, the French left Hanoi and the Hommel brewery was officially under state control. In 1957, Hanoi Brewery was established, this is the first company of Hanoi Beer - Alcohol - Beverage Corporation. Until 1960, the factory had released a product that captivated generations of Ha Thanh, which was draft beer. Because this beer is produced at Hanoi brewery, it is called Hanoi draft beer. This name also distinguishes it from draft beers produced in other small workshops. And Hanoi draft beer is also recognized as the best draft beer in the capital.

The main feature of Bia Hoi is its light alcohol content, only 2-4%, with a cool taste, without being mixed with preservatives and produced and consumed during the day. Light draft beer, rich in foam as well as being sold at a relatively cheap price, has become a popular drink in all refreshment bars today.

Hanoi draft beer is quite light, not strong, but has a very unique taste. Bia Hoi is usually poured directly from the beer bomb into a large mug. A jar of beer with a small plate of roasted peanuts or a few spring rolls is often chosen by drinkers on hot summer afternoons after work. Because it cannot be preserved for a long time, Hanoi draft beer is quite rare in the South, the style and taste of Hanoi draft beer is even harder to find elsewhere.

Other people can find Hanoi draft beer at sidewalk shops and small pubs without having to go to expensive bars, restaurants or luxurious spaces. A typical Hanoi beer shop only needs a table for beer bombs, a couple of plastic chairs, a large box of mugs and a few snacks. Not only enjoying beer, diners come to the beer hall to enjoy the atmosphere of a rustic, comfortable space, friendly drinkers, no rules, no restraint, not judged by politeness. .

Hanoi draft beer has become an unmistakable culinary culture of this land. Hanoi draft beer is attached and deeply ingrained in the subconscious of Ha Thanh people, associated with the people here in every activity and routine, and there is a whole street called Hanoi Bia Hoi street.. No Surprised that there are "Western guests" who are passionate about Hanoi draft beer as passionate about the culture and people here. The attraction of draft beer is not only because of the very cheap price, as the name "carbonated iced tea" that international friends often call, but also contains a symbol of Vietnamese culture - street food culture. .