Phuket’s newest entertainment and family venue has become a fast player on the live music circuit, with a repertoire of not only house entertainers but groups and performers who are attracting a faithful following of local Thais and expats to regular shows and concerts. With the likes of magic shows, dancers and musicians, including major Thai rock stars, such as Carabao, Modern Dog and Sek Loso, Phuket Brewery has etched its name to become the nightlife spot of Phuket Town.

The name Phuket Brewery or ‘Rong Beer Phuket’ in Thai, is derived from the fact the venue has its own microbrewery on site. This facility currently produces three types of beer. Combine this with a menu offering delicious food and there’s everything you need for a great night out! The menu includes treats for kids too – before the magic show.

Shop WINDOW on Lifestyle recently got caught up in the action at Phuket Brewery across from Tesco Lotus and enjoyed not only the entertainment, but the International and Thai food too. Making a selection from the three types of beer on offer was a delicious, agonizing decision. Believe it when we say we rose to the challenge with courage and determination!

The Brewery
You can’t miss it! There’s half a large sailing ship with three masts jutting out from the Phuket Brewery building. This landmark is the symbol of Phuket’s only microbrewery – a landmark that also points out the entrance to the huge seating and entertainment area. To the immediate right of the entrance, the visitor – and especially the beer aficionado – will notice the air conditioned room with stainless steel vessels where the brewery’s three types of beer are fermented and stored.

The three brews are Pearl Lager, Pearl Dunkel and Pearl Weizen. They vary in colour and taste according to the fermentation process, ingredients, etc. This results in the characteristic nutty-flavoured Dunkel, the Weizen wheat beer and regular lager, the latter proving to be the most popular with guests. Approximately 6,000 litres are currently produced every week.

So how do you make a good Pearl Beer? Here’s Phuket Brewery’s nine secret steps:

1. Mill the malt: malt is milled in a machine.
2. Mash the malt: malt is mashed in pure water.
3. Heat the mash: the temperature is increased to release starch in the form of sugar.
   
4. Turn [lauter]: the malt percolates to create a sugary solution known as the ‘wort’.
   
5. Boil: the wort is boiled with hops in copper kettles to release the hop’s bitter flavours.
   
6. Cool: the temperature is reduced and at the same time oxygen is added.
   
7. Ferment: yeast converts sugar into alcohol with carbon dioxide (CO2). This is called ‘green beer’ or ‘young beer’.
   
8. Maturation or aging: green beer is stored for several weeks to make it truly bright, and to refine the taste.
   
9. And the crucial final step: drink the beer and have fun at Phuket Brewery!

The Food
Phuket Brewery has a vast menu of Thai and International food to appeal to all tastes. The menu is the creation of Executive Chef Thanata Wandee. ‘Home Raised Chicken marinaded in House beer’, ‘Mixed Grilled Sausages’ and ‘Deep-fried Pork Knuckle – Phuket Brewery Style’ are some of the western signature dishes, while on the Thai menu, there’s ‘Deep-fried Shrimp Cake’, ‘Spicy Seafood Salad’, ‘Brew ‘Andaman Gusto’, ‘Grilled Mixed BBQ Seafood with Three Sauces’ and ‘Stir-fried Cabbage with Fish Sauce’.

And true to the character of the venue, beer is not just consumed by the glass! Chef Thanata has also incorporated the house beers as ingredients in many of the dishes. As yet, the amber liquid has not yet found its way into the dessert course!

The Entertainment
Phuket Brewery has its own house entertainers who perform every night from 8:30pm. The show includes a band and guest singers. There’s also Thai dancing, a magic show, juggling, an acrobatics act and dancing girls. Once a week there’s a live concert featuring well-known Thai rock stars. The venue boasts a 1,500-seat indoor arena with a raised stage plus a dining area. Be sure to book in advance as the shows sell out early!

For show schedules, check the website www.phuketbrewery.net. With a member’s card, you can receive news via SMS and enjoy a 10 to 15% discount on ticket prices. Tickets can be purchased at the reception area.

Great entertainment, great food and great beer! Phuket Brewery is the perfect venue for a family dinner and show. Try Ladies’ Night or just get together with friends after work. Let the show go on!

For more information contact:
Phuket Brewery
99/99 Moo1, Chalermprakeat R.9 Road, Kathu District, Phuket 83120
Tel: +66 (0)76 612885-8, +66 (0)76 249501-3, +66 (0)86 076 9779
Email: info@phuketbrewery.net
Website: www.phuketbrewery.net