The renowned Khmer Angkor temples in Siem Reap inspired the name of the popular Cambodian beer, Angkor Beer. It is the most popular beer in Cambodia and is produced at the Cambrew Brewery in Sihanoukville together with Klang Beer, Bayon Beer, Angkor Extra Stout, and Black Panther Premium Stout. Its slogan is “My Country, My Beer.”
The history of the beverage brand Angkor beverage from Cambodia is intriguing. The brand was established in the 1960s, amid the height of Cambodia’s chaos and suffering under the Khmer Rouge rule.
Brasseries et Glacières de l’Indochine (BGI), the first brewery that made Angkor Beer, was founded by French colonialists in the 1920s. Throughout the Khmer Rouge era, the brewery continued to be a significant Southeast Asian producer of beer.
Angkor Beer output was drastically reduced under the Khmer Rouge, and the brewery was taken over by the state. But after the Khmer Rouge regime was overthrown in 1979, BGI was re-established as a private business, and Angkor Beer production was resumed.
Since then, Angkor Beer has grown to be one of the most well-known beer brands in Cambodia and has expanded its market to include not just Europe and North America but also other Southeast Asian nations. The beer is renowned for its crisp finish and refreshing flavor, and it has earned several honors for both consistency and quality.
In addition to its success as a beer brand, Angkor Beer has contributed significantly to the growth of Cambodia’s economy. The business has made significant investments in the neighborhood, helping to fund projects related to environmental protection, healthcare, and education.
Overall, the Angkor Beer tale shows how resilient the Cambodian people are and how they can overcome hardship to create a profitable and sustainable company in the wake of a terrible chapter in their history.