Good day, mate! Some of us who live in the U. S. of A. are unfamiliar with beers in other parts of the world. Yes, I drink a few imports, but there are hundreds, if not thousands, of beers in other countries. What are some of those delightful brews?
We sent our travel team to gather some information, to sample various beers from Hawaii across the Pacific to Asia and other points on the nautical compass. No expense was spared in sampling (drink) each local culture and report back on their findings. They came up with their own rating scale: Scale 1 to 5, with 1 = Below Average & 5 = Above Average. The International Beer Tasters Officiating Council approved the rating scale on a 4-1 vote (the East German taster voted against), so we were good to go!
Meet our tasters: Tommy and Diane! Seasoned beer tasters (and travelers). Tommy in particular, has been training his entire life for an assignment like this, from college bars, to backyard keggers, macro to micro brews, he’s already tasted the world from lagers to ales, creamy heads to golden wheaty aromas. Diane has quaffed beers on many continents, her taste buds sharpened, and ready to meet any beer challenge. Whereas Tommy goes for the gusto, Diane’s taste palate probes for the taste nuances. Together, they bring decades of beer research to this assignment.
Kona Big Wave – Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Kona Big Wave Golden Ale is an easy drinking, island-inspired beer from Kona Brewing Company, which was established in Hawaii, but is now part of a larger brewing group. Kona’s global owner is Anheuser-Busch InBev, however the Hawaii operations are owned by PV Brewing Partners, a Kansas City area company. A Golden Ale/American Blonde Ale. 4.4% ABV
Big Wave pours a clear, bright golden color with a frothy, but not overly persistent white head. It is very visually inviting. It is an easy-drinking beer – perfect for warm weather, beach days, barbeques, or just casual sipping. Both Diane & Tommy found this beer to be light-bodied with a subtle fruitiness.
Tommy – 4.0, Diane – 4.0
Hinano Tahiti – Near Tiahura, Moorea Island, French Polynesia
Hinano Tahiti Blonde is the classic lager beer from French Polynesia. It is brewed in Tahiti by Brasserie de Tahiti. It has been part of the French Polynesian local culture since 1955. A Blonde lager (premium pale lager) 5% ABV
Mo’orea Island, French Polynesia
Mo’orea Island, French Polynesia
Both Diane & Tommy found this beer to be refreshing, crisp, thirst quenching and very enjoyable on a hot day on Moorea, one of the French Polynesian Islands. The appearance of the beer was appealing, with a golden color and a moderate foamy white head, which dissipated quickly. Diane detected a mild smoky flavor to the beer, with a hint of hickory, which she felt contributed to the overall good taste of the beer.
Tommy – 4.0, Diane – 4.2
Taula Original Lager – Apia, Samoa
Taula Original Lager is a locally brewed beer from Taula Beverages, which is 100%
Samoan owned & operated – the first locally owned brewery of its kind in Samoa. Despite mixed reviews, Taula has a strong presence & considerable market share in Samoa, indicating broad local acceptance. Taula is worth trying – just don’t expect it to rival premium European or craft lagers in complexity or character. 4.9% ABV
Apia, Samoa
Taula Original Lager is a mainstream island-style lager aimed at easy drinking in the tropical climate. Tommy & Diane had a pitcher of Taula (the first pitcher of beer that we have had in years) delivered to us on the beach on a very hot day, and yes – it was very easy drinking! The beer’s color is a pale golden straw hue & it pours with a light, foamy white head. Taula Original Lager is what you would expect from a straightforward pale lager – simple & clean, designed to be refreshing rather than showy.
Tommy – 3.8, Diane – 4.0
Grolsch Premium Pilsner – Aboard the Coral Princess
Grolsch Premium Pilsner is a classic Dutch pilsner lager with a long brewing heritage dating back to 1615, when the brand was first established in Grolle (now Groenlo), Netherlands. The beer is known for its traditional brewing style & distinctive presentation (often in swing-top bottles.) Grolsch Premium Pilsner has become the bottled beer of choice for both Tommy & Diane on this, plus several other cruises. Traditionally around 5.0% ABV (varies slightly by market)
While the swing-top bottles originally attracted Tommy to try Grolsch beer, the taste kept him coming back (and recruiting Diane as a Grolsch fan too!) Grolsch is a classic European pilsner that’s easy to drink, crisp & balanced, slightly bitter and is rooted in tradition. It is a little floral – nothing crazy, but definitely more character than a super-bland mass market beer. You crack that swing-top (if you’ve got the classic bottle) and it already feels a bit coler than your average lager. It pours a clean golden color with a solid white head – looks crisp, looks proper.
Tommy – 5.0, Diane – 4.8
Fiji Bitter – Pacific Harbour, Fiji
Fiji Bitter is a pale lager produced by Paradise Beverages, one of Fiji’s principal beverage manufacturers. It is a traditional, easy drinking lager tailored to tropical climates. It prioritizes refreshment, balance, and approachability rather than complexity. 4.6 – 4.9% ABV (varies slightly by market)
Fiji Bitter is definitely more bitter than something like Corona or many other mainstream lagers, however it is not harsh. Diane noted that it had a slightly bland, grassy taste, with a noticeable bitterness. However, the bitterness makes you want another sip. Fiji Bitter is a clean, crisp, properly bitter island lager. It tasted great while we sipped it on the beach. It’s simple, refreshing and does exactly what it’s meant to do – cools you down and keeps things easy.
Tommy – 3.5, Diane – 3.1
Fiji Gold – Pacific Harbour, Fiji
Fiji Gold is a pale lager produced by Paradise Beverages, one of Fiji’s leading beverage manufacturers. It is positioned as a smooth, approachable lager, tailored to warm climates and broad consumer appeal. Known as Fiji’s number one beer, it is a light-bodied, crisp, and refreshing, easy drinking beer with a smooth, slightly sweet, and grainy flavor profile. Fiji Gold is the smoother sibling in Fiji’s beer lineup. Approximately 4.6 – 4.8% ABV, Fiji Gold Moli (lemon infused, 4.6% ABV)
Fiji Gold is brewed with pure island water for a crisp, easy-drinking taste that perfectly captures the laid-back spirit of the tropics. Fiji Gold is a bright, pale golden color with excellent clarity. When poured, it forms a white, moderately persistent head. Both Tommy & Diane enjoyed this light-bodied lager which was smooth tasting yet crisp. This beer was excellent on a very warm day at the beach! Tommy – 5.0, Diane – 4.5
Number One – Lifou, New Caledonia
As we were leaving the small island of Lifou, New Caledonia, Diane spotted a street vendor who was selling either coconut milk, in the coconut, or beer, in the can. We opted for the beer and were pleasantly surprised! Number One beer is brewed in New Caledonia, an island country of less than 300,000 people, by the Grande Brasserie de Nouvelle Calédonie SA (a Heineken-affiliated brewery) in Nouméa. It is the iconic, widely available local beer of New Caledonia. First brewed in 1972, by Michel Pentecost with the help of an Alsatian brewer. 5.0 % ABV
Both Diane & Tommy agree that Number One beer was a very pleasant surprise on a hot & humid day, on a small island in the South Pacific! Number One is regarded as the national beer of New Caledonia. It is the quintessential island lager – bright, uncomplicated, and perfectly adapted to tropical days and local culture. It’s the classic local lager – simple & refreshing. Number One has a pale golden color, with a crisp & clean taste. Both Diane & Tommy recommend that you skip the coconut milk and try a Number One the next time that you are in New Caledonia! Tommy – 4.8, Diane – 4.6
Tiger Beer – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tiger Beer was first brewed in Singapore in 1932. It was created by Malayan Breweries Limited, a joint venture between Heineken (Netherlands) & Fraser & Neave (Singapore). The name “Tiger” was chosen to symbolize strength, energy, and Asian identity, which helped the beer stand out in a region dominated by European brands at the time. It’s branding – especially the bold tiger imagery – quickly became iconic across Asia. Today, Tiger Beer is produced by Heineken Asia Pacific, is brewed in multiple countries under license, and is sold in 50-plus countries worldwide. Its slogan “It’s Time for a Tiger” has become widely recognized across Asia. International Pale Lager, 5.0 % ABV
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Diane & Tommy each enjoyed a pint of Tiger Beer at OneKL’s Bar, which was across the street and in the shadows of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic Petronas Towers. They both needed a drink after visiting both the 41st level Skybridge & 86th level Observation Deck of the Towers! Their pints of Tiger Beer were poured a clear, pale gold color, with a bright white head which dissipated quickly. Both Diane & Tommy felt that the beer was light-bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. It had a mild malty taste with just a touch of bitterness. It was a light, crisp beer that was very easy to drink (another round, please!) While it probably wouldn’t score well with craft beer lovers, for them it tasted great after a hot day of sightseeing! It was solid, refreshing and it did the job of quenching their thirst!
Tommy – 4.7 Diane – 4.4
Chang Classic Beer – Ko Samui Island, Thailand
Chang beer was launched in 1995 in Ayutthaya, Thailand and is produced by Thai Beverage (ThaiBev). Within 5 years of its launch, Chang became Thailand’s #1 selling beer, competing directly with long-established rival Singha. Due to it’s stronger than average alcohol by volume content (ABV), the beer gained a reputation for causing the infamous “Chang-over”. The word “Chang” means “elephant” in Thai, which is reflected in the brand’s iconic twin-elephant logo. International Pale Lager, 4.8% to 5.5% ABV (historically up to 6.4%).
Ko Samui Island, Thailand
Ko Samui Island, Thailand
Diane & Tommy each enjoyed a couple of bottles of Chang beer while laying on Choeng Mon beach, at the Royal Muang Samui Villas Resort, on the small Thailand island of Ko Samui. This beach lies on the Gulf of Thailand and their cruise excursion had gained Diane & Tommy access to this beautiful resort for the day.
As far as our beer tasters are concerned, any beer delivered to your beach lounger on a very hot day, anywhere in the world, is a damn good beer! However, this section demands a better reason for them enjoying Chang beer than that!
The Chang beer was a beautiful clear pale gold to light amber in color. It had a light to medium-light body, with moderate carbonation. Some long-time Chang drinkers sitting next to Diane & Tommy on the beach mentioned that the beer was excellent in hot weather but was just average everywhere else. This was their opinion, not that of our tasters, since they had only drank Chang beer this one time, while it was very hot out! While Tommy admitted that he’s not very good at distinguishing & identifying smells, Diane did say that she noticed a faint floral aroma in the beer. All in all, a very refreshing beer!
Tommy – 4.2 Diane – 4.0
Singha Beer – Pattaya, Thailand
Singha was first brewed in Thailand in 1933-1934, making it Thailand’s original beer. It was brewed in Boon Rawd Brewery, which was Thailand’s first brewery. In 1939, Singha received royal approval, allowing it to display the Garuda emblem, a symbol reserved for trusted Thai institutions. In the 1970’s, Singha began exporting internationally, starting with the United States. Singha eventually became available in 50+ countries worldwide. In 2026, Singha beer continues to be Thailand’s flagship premium lager and is still brewed by Boon Rawd Brewery, a family run company. Pale Lager, 5.0 % ABV.
Diane & Tommy spent some free time one afternoon in a large shopping mall in Pattaya, Thailand. While walking through the mall’s massive food court, they spotted a restaurant named “PrimeBurger Thailand”. Having had their fill of Thai food, they decided to stop there for a double cheeseburger & some sweet potato fries. They chose Singha beers to drink with their meal, which meal was rated delicious, as was their Singha beer! This was their first introduction to Singha beer, and it was definitely a positive one! Singha tasted a step up from your basic lagers – it had a bit of character! It was very easy to drink, but was not watery like some beers, and it actually tasted like beer. The taste was crisp and refreshing. Its color was a deep golden hue and it only had moderate carbonation. When poured from the bottle into a glass, the head was white and foamy, however it dissipated fairly quickly. Both Diane & Tommy really enjoyed both of the beers which they had that were brewed in Thailand; however, in our opinion, the taste of Singha was a step up from that of Chang. Probably a result of Boon Rawd Brewery’s 62 additional years of brewing experience!
Tommy – 4.8 Diane – 4.7
Classic Taiwan Beer & Gold Medal Taiwan Beer – Keelung, Taiwan
In 1919, Taiwan’s first domestically brewed beer, Takasago Beer, was produced. After World War II, Taiwan was handed to the Republic of China, and in 1946, Takasago Beer was rebranded as Taiwan Beer. This was essentially the birth of what is now recognized as Classic Taiwan Beer. From 1947 to 2002, Taiwan Beer was the only domestic beer available in Taiwan. In 2002, Taiwan joined the World Trade Organization and the government monopoly ended. Despite competition, Taiwan Beer remained dominant and iconic. New variants like Gold Medal Taiwan Beer emerged (launched in 2003) , but Classic stayed as the baseline reference.
Classic Taiwan Beer – Adjunct Lager, 4.5%
Gold Medal Taiwan Beer – International Pale Lager, 5.0%
Since they were only in Taiwan for a short time, Diane & Tommy had to resort to Plan B in purchasing a beer there – they bought it in a 7-Eleven Store and carried it back to the ship for their taste testing.
Interestingly, 1) in the Asian countries that they visited, there seemed to be a 7-Eleven on every street corner, and 2) during any of Tommy’s previous visits to a 7-Eleven, he was only old enough to purchase a Slurpee!
OK, Diane & Tommy will just cut to the chase on these two beers – in their opinion, they both sucked! As they poured the beers in our cruise cabin, they were optimistic. They both looked like beer with a nice pale gold color and only a moderate white head. They also both smelled like beer with a light grainy malt aroma. However, upon tasting, neither tasted anything like the beers which they had enjoyed up to this point in their “Beer Drinking Around the Pacific Ocean” experiment! Perhaps they tasted better out of bottles, but unfortunately 7-Eleven only carried the cans!
Classic Taiwan Beer: Tommy – 0.7 Diane – 0.5
Gold Medal Taiwan Beer: Tommy – 0.9 Diane – 0.6
Asahi “Super Dry” Beer – Yatsushiro, Japan
Asahi’s story began in 1889 with the founding of the Osaka Beer Brewing Company, in Osaka, Japan. In 1892, the company launched its flagship Asahi Beer. By 1906, Osaka Beer had merged with two other breweries to form Dai Nippon Beer Company, one of Japan’s first major beer conglomerates. After World War II, in 1949, Dai Nippon Beer was split into two companies, 1) Asahi Breweries & 2) Sapporo Breweries. From the 1950’s through the 1980’s, Asahi lagged behind other competitors. Everything changed in 1987 with the launch of Asahi Super Dry Beer. It was a massive success and revolutionized Japanese beer. Today, Asahi is one of the world’s largest brewing groups, known for consistency and a distinctly Japanese approach to beer.
Japanese Rice Lager / International Pale Lager – 5.0%
Diane & Tommy were able to drink an Asahi Super Dry beer at the port in Yatsushiro, Japan, where the Coral Princess had stopped for the day. Miscellaneous vendors of food, drink and merchandise are often on the pier, waiting for cruise ship passengers to spend their money. That is how Diane & Tommy became acquainted with Asahi Super Dry beer, which the both really enjoyed. It’s appearance was clean, with a pale gold color, and it poured from the can with a tight, white foam head. Diane, who has a much better beer nose than Tommy, detected a light floral aroma. They both appreciated the crispness of the beer. Asahi Super Dry was a beer that went down very easily but didn’t fill them up. Both Diane & Tommy really enjoyed our cans of Asahi Super Dry and now know why it is the number one beer in Japan!
Tommy – 4.6 Diane – 4.5
Thoughts…
Drinking beer is not as easy as it looks. From my own vast experience, the mysteries of the brew can be challenging to unlock and make sense of. The mission required sending my two finest and most experienced tasters, each skilled in different taste specialties.
Diane is the tougher beer grader of the two. She often notes delicate flavors and scents, Tommy seemed more drawn to the head, creaminess (years of training) and taste. Diane and Tommy have sailed the Seven Seas multiple times in the past several years, visiting countries all over the globe, tasting foods and beverages.
Much thanks to Tommy & Diane for sharing their thoughts on the Pacific’s beers, and the travel photos. Tommy wants you to know that each photo is labeled and properly filed.
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