[HCMC] Pasteur All the Hype

What is there to say that hasn't been about Pasteur Street Brewing Co. Trailblazer in the craft beer scene in Vietnam, they set a standard of what beer should be under the craft beer monicker both in price and quality. I'm sure many of you know that already. Maybe this is for the haters, if there are any. After all, there has to be a reason Pasteur Street is so popular. In fact, several of their beers have won awards. Such as the Passion Fruit Wheat, Spice Island Saison, PSBC Double IPA, and most notably their Cyclo Imperial Chocolate Stout. The stout winner of two awards, the Asian Beer Medal and the World Beer Cup in 2016.

Dave Byrn, the brew master and currently the man behind this brand's ever growing assortment of beers. Dave has a been brewing for nearly two decades and about eight years professionally. Back in the States, he worked his way up from cleaning kegs to brew master, working for some notable craft breweries such as Cigar City. If there was one thing about brewing, he loves the tactile feeling of crafting something with your hands, which is what drove him away from a lucrative career selling Land Rovers to rich assholes to starting at the bottom of the barrel in brewing. 

Pasteur Street was the perfect opportunity for him though he did miss out in the beginning as when The founder John was scoping out a brew master to start the brand as he wasn't working that day. But eventually, he found his way some six months later taking the helm. The brewery was instantly home as Dave says, he loves the access and variety of fresh fruits and spices you can play with in the beers. He doesn't understand how a brewery can open here and not work with them. Recently his obsession had him working on a dragon fruit Gose. Which I will say was a bold-looking beer that may scare many away, but the flavor so well balanced and crafted that it was greatly enjoyable. If you ask him what his favorite beer he will just say, 'the one in my hand.' That's a good thing to hear from a brewer since it is showing no bias and has the freedom to make every beer, in any style, genuinely good. They care about their beer which is why the brewery overlooks the entire process from when it is finished to tapping in the various bars it is served all over the country. As well, making sure all the way it is in a refrigerated climate.

Of course Pasteur Street being the success that it was is all over the country as well just landed in Thailand. Another country with a great craft beer scene though lacking in local breweries thanks to strict laws.  Which is a testimony to their quality. And it all started with their small tap room on the street that the brewery gets its name, Pasteur. Which has recently expanded, finally. Though the original tap room is a nice cozy atmosphere that can make a homesick expat feel right at home. It's a beautiful place to be, and I could see myself there often. The food was good, and the music was that perfect mix of tunes to complement the evening. I could say that much of the song list pulled from the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack. Which I can only hope remains with their new location in Hanoi. 

If somehow you haven't tried their beers, do, and if you're down in Saigon stop by their tap room. Pasteur Street is not going anywhere barring natural disaster. That may not even stop this juggernaut of a brewery in Vietnam.