Despite being the world’s largest Muslim country, Indonesians like getting on the piss, with the weapon of choice largely being beer. But while most people have only heard of Bintang, there is much more to the Indonesian beer scene.
And while we have covered essential food to try, as well as the best drinks in the country, this is the ultimate guide to getting your Indonesian beer groove on.
Table of Contents
7 Best Indonesian Beers
In classic style, we are doing it in reverse order, with the best Indonesian beer listed last.
7) Draft Beer
Not actual draft beer, you understand, but a brand made by Bali Hai that is called Draft Beer. I have seen this at Shao Kao in Glodok. Not a great beer, but priced great for multi-beer sales. And I could still neck it in one go, so that’s nice.
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6) Stark Lager
Stark is a Bali beer and one of the more interesting Indonesian brands. The Lager is a pretty decent, easy-drinking beer and certainly worth trying if you see it. A little more character than the standard Indonesian stuff, but without trying to be some wanky craft beer.
5) Kura Kura
Another Bali beer, Kura Kura is one of the better-known Indonesian craft beer brands. The Lager is crisp, easy drinking and goes particularly well with Indonesian food. A little more interesting than the standard Bintang and Prost stuff, but still easy to drink.
4) Anker Beer
Seemingly the number 2 for availability in Indonesia, but only makes the 4th place on the Street Food Guy Indonesian beer hall of fame. Owned by San Miguel which explains the flavour of the beer, which is quite light in comparison to say Bintang. Still though pound for pound a decent easy drinking lager.
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3) Bali Hai Premium Lager
As you might have guessed, this one is from Bali! A nice steady well-made beer that works great with Indonesian BBQ. Available in much of Indonesia and seemingly what the cool kids drink.
2) Singaraja Pilsner
Recently discovered by me in Yogyakarta, the old imperial capital of Indonesia. Really proper pilsner and while you do not see it everywhere in the country, this is really a top Indonesian beer. The strongest beer on the list.
1) Bintang Pilsner
Not the best beer in the world, but the MacDaddy of Indonesian beers. This means the biggest range, such as fruit beers and light beers, as well as reach. This is the one reliable beer you can always get in Indonesia, with the big bottles being frankly iconic.
Sadly now owned by Heineken. Thankfully, it tastes nothing like it and is still its own thing.
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And they are the best Indonesian beers. We have deliberately left out shit like the aforementioned Heineken, which does get bottled in Indonesia, or crap like Tiger.
Cheers and you’re welcome!
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