Craft Beer Phnom Penh | Wild Rover Pub & Lounge Bar!

The origins of craft beer go back centuries, long before industrial brewing dominated the market. In medieval Europe, small local breweries created unique beers based on local grains, water, and yeast strains. Beer was a staple of daily life, with each region developing its own distinct style.

However, with the rise of industrialization in the 19th and 20th centuries, large-scale breweries began to mass-produce beer, prioritizing shelf life and uniformity over quality and flavor. The result? Most beer became light, carbonated lagers—refreshing but often lacking depth.

The modern craft beer revolution began in the 1960s and 70s in the United States, where homebrewers and small entrepreneurs started experimenting again with traditional recipes, natural ingredients, and bold new flavors. They pushed back against corporate brewing giants, sparking a worldwide revival of interest in artisanal beer.

This global movement soon reached Asia—and Cambodia was ready to join the party.

Craft beer stands out for its flavor, quality, and story. Here's what sets it apart:

• Small-batch production: Craft breweries focus on smaller quantities to maintain quality control.
• Unique ingredients: Brewers often experiment with local herbs, fruit, or spices to create signature tastes.
• Traditional techniques: Many craft beers are brewed using time-honored methods rather than industrial shortcuts.
• Community focus: Craft breweries often reflect local culture and ingredients, making each pint a regional experience.

The beauty of craft beer lies in its diversity. Whether you enjoy the creamy smoothness of a stout, the crispness of a pilsner, or the caramel tones of a red ale, there's always something new to discover.

Cambodia has about 5 to 6 major commercial breweries (like HEINEKEN Cambodia and Cambrew Brewery), which are supplemented by a flourishing local craft beer scene. Across the country, there are around 20 to 25 microbreweries and brewpubs, with most located in cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Some of the top craft beer breweries include:

• Kingdom Breweries (Kingdom Beverages Limited) operates as Cambodia's largest craft production facility, serving as a major brewing hub for the region. They specialize in premium, European-style beers brewed strictly according to traditional purity standards, using high-quality malts without cheap fillers like rice or sugar. Among their most popular and widely distributed offerings are the crisp Kingdom White (a Belgian-style wheat beer) and the tropical Kingdom Mango IPA.
• Botanico Brewing is highly regarded for its lush, hidden-garden brewpub located in the Tonle Bassac neighborhood. The brewery focuses on giving craft beer a distinct Cambodian identity by infusing local ingredients like native herbs, fruits, and spices into their recipes. Their welcoming outdoor venue regularly functions as a community hub, hosting frequent live music, art pop-ups, and social gatherings.
• Riel Brewing: Tucked away in the Tuol Tom Poung (Russian Market) neighborhood, Riel Brewing is a cozy, independent taproom known for its highly dynamic and experimental recipe rotation. They brew a diverse and frequently changing selection of styles, ranging from bold West Coast IPAs and rich coffee stouts to refreshing fruit sours. The casual, laid-back venue is a local favorite for pub food, trivia nights, and a friendly community atmosphere.

If you are searching for some top quality local craft beer for your venue in Cambodia, beer from these breweries are a must have either in the fridge in handy cans / bottles, or on tap.

If you are looking for local hops, you no longer have to settle for mass-produced lagers. Cambodia's craft beer scene is booming, with dedicated taprooms and bottle shops pouring everything from fruity pale ales to rich stouts.

• Sak Pub Craft Beer & Bites: Often ranking at the top for Cambodia on Untappd, this hidden gem is famous for its highly-rated New England IPAs, including its famous "Special Hazy Juicy NEIPA". Why it's great: It offers a massive lineup of local and international craft beer and serves stellar comfort food in an intimate, friendly BKK1 neighborhood setting.
• Embargo Craft Beer: Located on Pasteur Street, this is the city's ultimate spot for variety. Why it's great: They boast 8 rotating taps and over 30 bottles, showcasing hard-to-find microbrews from across Cambodia, Vietnam, and the US.
• Khmer Funk Sky Bar: Perched on the top floor of the TRIBE Phnom Penh Post Office Square hotel, Khmer Funk Sky Bar is a vibrant rooftop destination known for pairing scenic panoramic views with an excellent drink selection.

There are several reasons Phnom Penh is becoming a hotspot for craft beer enthusiasts:

• Diverse selection – Breweries and pubs are experimenting with a wide range of styles, from hoppy IPAs to dark porters.
• Freshness – Most craft beers are brewed locally, meaning you're getting the freshest pints possible.
• Social experience – Craft beer culture encourages conversation and community, making pubs and taprooms a perfect place to meet locals and expats alike.
• Innovation – New brewing technologies and techniques are constantly emerging, including nitrogenating, which adds a smoother texture to beer.

And speaking of innovation, one Phnom Penh pub is setting a new standard for craft beer lovers.

For those seeking a truly unique craft beer in Phnom Penh, there's one pint that stands out from the rest — the Nitrogenated Irish Red Ale, freshly brewed and served exclusively at The Wild Rover Irish Pub. Here are a few reasons that you might want to give it a try:

• Unlike most beers, which are carbonated, this new red ale is nitrogenated, giving it a silky, creamy texture and a dense, velvety head reminiscent of Kilkenny or Guinness. The color is a beautiful deep amber-red, and the taste is balanced—smooth malt sweetness with subtle roasted notes and a clean finish.
• For maximum flavor, Wild Rover Red Ale stays chilled through an unbroken cold chain from brewery to glass. Every batch is immediately refrigerated after brewing and kegging, then delivered directly to the pub in small shipments. Stored under strict temperature control until the very moment it is tapped, this nitro ale preserves its peak freshness, smooth texture, and crisp, authentic taste.
• This craft beer is only available on tap at The Wild Rover Irish Pub Phnom Penh. You won't find it at any other bar or pub in Phnom Penh. It's a one-of-a-kind beer created for true craft beer enthusiasts who appreciate quality, character, and exclusivity. We developed our own exclusive beer brand by working with one of Cambodia's leading commercial breweries to bring it to life.
• With just one tap, our focus is on quality, freshness and hygiene rather than volume. Our kegs change every other day (naturally - because small 20l kegs sell quickly), staff are trained in pouring nitro ale (the classic two-part pour - which takes around 2 minutes), our craft beer cooler is set at the correct temperature (slightly higher than our lager chiller), and every pint is served in branded glassware along with branded coasters designed to showcase this craft beer at its best for your enjoyment.

When we launched this craft beer at the end of November 2025 we initially brewed a 1500-liter batch. It was a beer designed for one location. We hoped you would enjoy it as much as we did during the testing stages - and we expected it to last 1 year! At this time, we had not decided on a name - that came around January 2026 when we designed the logo for the glassware and coasters. We did not expect to be brewing a second 3000-liter batch in just six months; and we would like to thank each and every one of you that helped drink the first batch. Do not worry, we still have enough to last us until the next batch is due (in a matter of weeks).

Whichever beer or bar you decide on we hope you have a fantastic time exploring Phnom Penh's craft beer scene. There are countless fantastic craft beers and craft beer venues to choose from. As always, Google is your friend. Pop craft beer near me into the search box and press enter - and you will see the closest venues to you.

Drink Responsibly!