Beer Archives - Pale Ale Travel

Craving a British Pie in Hong Kong? I Got You Fam

December 2, 2024December 3, 2024Asia, Food, Hong Kong BigBody Leave a Comment

For being a former British colony, it can be damn near impossible to find a quality British pie in Hong Kong, innit? Did I use ‘innit’ correctly? I have no idea.

However, there is one longstanding British gastropub that reigns supreme when it comes to nailing the quintessential buttery, flaky, meat-filled British pie, including mandatory mash, beans, mushy peas, and an extra side of nostalgia, that Brits (and non-Brits as well) wistfully long for while looking out the window of their middle-office hellhole – The Globe.

So, if you’re craving a taste of home, here is what I consider to be the best British pie in Hong Kong.

Pale Ale Travel Note: While there are about one million reasons that I absolutely adore The Globe and consider it to be one of my favorite beer haunts (and one of the most underrated restaurants in the city), this post is strictly about British pies, so let’s get to the good stuff.

7 of the Best Craft Beer Bars in Warsaw For T-Pain to Buy U a Drank

December 1, 2024December 1, 2024Beer & Breweries, Europe, Poland BigBody Leave a Comment

If you had told me that Poland just so happened to be home to over 300 breweries before I embarked on my 3-month stint in the country, I’m not sure I would have believed you.

As a country geographically and inwardly between Eastern Europe and Central Europe (the latter if you ask a Pole), the stereotype of vodka flowing freely and cheap, canned lagers comparable to the water we’ve come to expect in the U.S. was unfortunately what I anticipated.

I’m sorry Poland–mea culpa.

Consider this my letter of contrition and a celebration of the 300-plus formidable breweries that make up the country’s robust ethanol ecosystem. It truly is one of the best countries in the world for everything beer (I’m even a fan of ice-cold Żywiec).

And, no better place represents the strength and variation of this burgeoning booze landscape than the capital – Warsaw.

Here are 7 of the best craft beer bars in Warsaw that solidified in my rapidly aging mind and body that Warsaw is a true craft beer lover’s paradise.

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Several beers that remained constant and always on rotation for me during my time in Warsaw were those by Warsaw-based (and surrounding) breweries like (a) Funky Fluid, (b) Magic Road, and (c) Browar Monsters, the former being potentially my most consumed beer while there. So, if you see a beer by either brewery on tap, I implore you to order it!

Before I begin, I filmed two videos (Part 1, Part 2) which cover 6 of the 7 Warsaw craft beer bars on this list – so give these a watch if you’re more of a visual person!

The Rowdiest Hong Kong Pub Crawl: 17 Bars, 3 Neighborhoods, 1 Brutal Hangover

May 15, 2024July 21, 2024Asia, Beer & Breweries, Hong Kong BigBody Leave a Comment

IMPORTANT: If you embark on this self-guided Hong Kong pub crawl and provide me with proof (a picture of a drink at each bar) that you tackled at least 50% of the bars, I’ll add you to the ‘Wall of Legends’ on this post. Also, if you need a guide, I’ll be more than happy to go down this drunken rabbit hole with you.

I’ve said this many times on the blog and I’ll say it again. I live for hedonism and the spectacle of it all. And everyone knows that starts with a draft beer or Aperol spritz for this Big Body. I’ll keep this simple. If you’re Googling this, you, much like me, have already killed off more brain cells from debaucherous nights than we’d like to admit and need the booze deets in no-nonsense terms.

This self-guided Hong Kong pub crawl is a 2 to 2.5 km loop that starts along the ferry pier in Central and loops up through Sheung Wan, Soho, and Lan Kwai Fong. It will primarily consist of beer haunts (aka pubs). However, you’ll find a few non-traditional (yet righteous) watering holes sprinkled in (that also serve beer).

I know it can be a big commitment to sign up and pay for a pub crawl with strangers. Yes, I’ve had some very successful nights out doing these but I’ve also met some of the biggest groups of cretins and mouthbreathers I’ve ever encountered. That’s why I created this – to keep in your back pocket if you’re more of a solo drinker or already have your group of Chewbacca-lookalikes and magic makers ready to rumble.

Without further ado, here is exactly how I would maximize my drinking and the route I would take on this self-guided Hong Kong bar crawl. I’ve slugged my fair share of beers at every single one of these spots and this is the route that made the most sense to me so that you can efficiently carve through Sheung Wan, Soho, and Lan Kwai Fong.

What is the Legal Drinking Age in Cambodia? [2024]

January 3, 2024January 3, 2024Cambodia, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

I had a bit of a whirlwind few weeks in Cambodia when I was living in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam and was required to make semi-regular visa trips to Phnom Penh (and sometimes just the Cambodian border) to apply for a new visa and re-enter. Sometimes, I’d make a several-week trip out of it and post up in the country’s capital, Phnom Penh, for relaxation, gluttony, and cultural exploration.

What I found was a country with a surprisingly cosmopolitan alcohol and gastronomic landscape, boasting everything from countless live music and billiards bars blasting classic rock hits to throwback colonial lounges and bustling rooftop bars to Shanghainese speakeasies and international craft beer haunts. And that’s just the beginning. Cambodian casinos (well…they are actually owned by the Chinese), beach bars, and cigar bars are also at your fingertips.

As a popular destination for newly minted high school graduates on gap years, backpackers of all ages and creeds, university students from surrounding Asian countries, and other thrill seekers who enjoy a pint or two (or a bucket), a common question that pops up is “What is the legal drinking age in Cambodia?”

Here’s everything you need to know about the legal drinking age in Cambodia, along with other important alcohol laws in Cambodia.

What You Need to Know About Japan’s Legal Drinking Age

December 13, 2023July 16, 2024Asia, Japan, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

During my three months based in Osaka, Japan, I drank a lot of alcohol. No, really. I drank a lot. And that is coming from an existence that already sees a non-zero sum of alcohol consumed somewhat regularly. I attribute this increased consumption to the fact that Japanese dining is complemented perfectly with an ice-cold draft beer (nama beeru) or Chuhai (shochu highball), warm or cold sake, or even a dry red or slightly sweet white wine (the ultimate pairing with sushi).

Japan’s drinking culture is unlike anywhere else in the world – for better or worse. It’s not just the varieties of quality alcohol that you can find in Japan, it’s the vibrancy and depth of the venues to drink it at.

From drinking casual beers and Chuhais while sitting under a bridge along the Yodogawa River (one of my personal favorite memories) to raucous, brash, crowded nightclubs in Osaka and Tokyo, all the way to back alley izakayas and yakitori joints, high-end Japanese whiskey bars, and assorted “nomihoudai” (all you can drink) bars scattered across the country (and everything in between), Japan has it all when it comes to drinking culture, nightlife, and alcohol. If you want a draft beer at Yoshinoya, one of Japan’s most popular gyudon fast food restaurants, you can imbibe as well.

To ensure that you don’t miss out on one of the most robust and unique drinking (and dining) cultures in the world, you might be asking yourself, “What is the legal drinking age in Japan?”

Read on to find out how old you need to be to legally drink alcohol in Japan along with other important Japanese alcohol laws to know.

The Legal Drinking Age in Taiwan Explained

December 7, 2023December 7, 2023Taiwan, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Consistently named as one of the best places to live for expats and one of the most underrated travel destinations, Taiwan is a vibrant, convenient, culturally rich, and downright fun island that should definitely be on your radar. Contributing to its unique eclectic soul and draw is a burgeoning (and now thriving) alcohol and nightlife scene that is not only affordable but domestically and internationally driven.

You’ll find everything from quirky craft beer and whiskey bars nestled in back alleys of popular university areas to bass-thumping nightclubs and upscale rooftop lounges, all the way to lively stir-fry restaurants (rechao – 熱炒) with dedicated ‘beer girls’, all-you-can-drink whiskey-green tea karaoke lounges, LGBTQ+ friendly bars (in Ximending), and British pubs for weekly quizzes, pool leagues, and more.

I first took a dawgz trip to Taiwan when I was 21 years old (while living in Hong Kong) and wasn’t sure of what the alcohol restrictions were or if I should even worry at all. It is still one of the most memorable (from what I can remember) trips of my life. I then moved to Taiwan for three-plus years in 2015. Three formative years – rife with love, bian dangs (Taiwanese homestyle food on the go), post-work night market strolls, and of course, booze (of all types, brands, and sizes).

If you’re traveling (or considering moving) to Taiwan and don’t want to miss out on any of it, you may be wondering, “What is the legal drinking age?”

Below, I’ll dive into Taiwan’s legal drinking age along with important drinking laws and tips that you should know before traveling to the island known as ‘Formosa’ (Taiwan’s main island).

What You Need to Know About the Legal Drinking Age in Thailand

December 3, 2023July 17, 2024Asia, Thailand, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Thailand isn’t just renowned as a cultural, spiritual, and gastronomical epicenter of Asia, it’s also one of the premier go-to drinking and nightlife destinations for every type of libation enthusiast out there. Trust me, I’ve tested this out far more than the human body should theoretically be able to handle.

From raucous backpacker streets with free-flowing beer towers (and funky balloons) to sophisticated rooftop bars and cocktail lounges of world-class five-star hotels, to the bustling, salacious walking streets found across every corner of the country, smokey convivial BBQ beer gardens, and creative high-ABV craft beer bars and breweries, “of age” drinkers can pick whatever type of poison tickles their fancy in the ‘Land of Smiles’.

But what exactly is the legal drinking age in Thailand?

While you might think that the drinking age is similar to neighboring Asian countries, you might just be surprised to find that Thailand’s drinking age differs significantly. Read on to find out more about important alcohol laws in Thailand so that you don’t end up on the next season of ‘Locked Up Abroad’.

What’s the Legal Drinking Age in Vietnam? (2024)

November 30, 2023November 30, 2023Asia, Travel, Vietnam BigBody 2 Comments

If you’re traveling to Vietnam, you may be asking yourself, “What’s the legal drinking age in Vietnam?” Maybe you heard how Vietnam is the top country in Asia for beer consumption (fact) and want a taste for yourself. Maybe you heard about the country’s burgeoning craft beer scene to provide depth to an already formidable domestic beer landscape. Or, maybe you just want to purchase a few local brews from your nearest convenience store and drink them on the street without any hassle.

The very first step towards accomplishing all of that (and then some) is understanding Vietnam’s drinking laws.

Having lived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for over one year (with regular month-long stints since), I can emphatically state that this is one of the best countries in the world when it comes to a thriving and communal beer culture, both classy and hectic nightlife, and boozy brunches and other alcohol-related activities (ex. Ax throwing with craft beers).

Let’s take a look at what you need to know about drinking alcohol in Vietnam.

Plac Kitchen & Grill: a Zagreb Meat & Beer Haven

November 10, 2020November 10, 2020Croatia, Europe, Food BigBody Leave a Comment

Coming hot off a smooth, comfortable, and quick bus ride from Budapest to Zagreb, I found myself in a new city and in dire need of meat. After some quick Googling, I settled on a small little cevapi joint located right near the Dolac Market in Zagreb’s city center.

If you’re reading this and unsure of what a cevapi is, I also had no idea upon first arriving in Zagreb. However, you are about to find out exactly what makes a cevapi all that is right in this turbulent world.

Little did I know that the cevapi and I would go on to have a passionate, addictive, and beautiful three month affair during my time in Split, Croatia (and a short stint in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina). For that, I have Plac Kitchen & Grill to thank.

Let’s get into exactly what a cevapi is and why Plac Kitchen & Grill should be on your radar when traveling to (or through) Zagreb, Croatia.

My Favorite Gasthaus in Vienna: Steman on Otto-Bauer-Gasse

November 4, 2020November 12, 2020Austria, Europe, Food BigBody Leave a Comment

Next to Japanese izakayas, there isn’t a better place on Earth to be from the hours for 5PM to 11PM than a gasthaus. European beer that flows as freely as the Danube, an intimate and authentic look into how the locals live, and of course, hearty traditional dishes such as goulash, spaetzle, wienerschnitzel, that are sure to leave you bursting at the seams – gasthauses are a safe haven for the 9 to 5’ers that recognize life is best lived with your close friends and an alcoholic drink in hand.

Cue Steman, located smack dab in the middle of Mariahilf on Otto-Bauer-Gasse – my all time-favorite gasthaus in Vienna, Austria.

But, what exactly makes Steman worth adding to your eating itinerary when traveling to Vienna? Let’s take a look.

Hilton Munich Airport Hotel Review: Luxury, Convenience, & a Biergarten

October 23, 2020May 15, 2024Europe, Germany, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

If you’ve read any of my other blog posts on Pale Ale Travel, then you definitely know I’m a big fan of Hilton chain hotels. Hilton hotels are chic, conveniently located, moderately priced (we aren’t talking the Four Seasons here), and staffed with some of the utmost professionals.

After making my way up to the Schengen Area from Croatia, where I spent a great night at the Canopy By Hilton in Zagreb after my near 3 months in Split, I found myself ready to depart Europe (flying out of Munich, Germany). As I was exhausted, wanted to slug a few beers, and wake up the next morning with absolutely no worries, I opted to book the Hilton Munich Airport Hotel at Franz Josef Strauß Airport– and I was not disappointed.

Below, I walk through why you should definitely consider booking a night at the Hilton Munich Airport Hotel before you fly out of Munich. Hint: there’s a beer garden close by.