Steak House Bangkok & Outlaw Brewing, Loei
Its ages since I've been in Loei for a night, and there's been a few changes at King Hotel. which is where I've always stayed on previous visits. Not least of which is the disappearance of their restaurant! Nothing changes faster than the restaurant and pub scene - which is true world-wide, not just in Thailand. Places open, close, relocate and new ones pop up like mushrooms. So, 5 years is a long time... That's where Google Maps really shines, using the "what's nearby" search option to identify possibilities for dining etc.
Steak House Bangkok
Located just out the back of the King Hotel car park... A nice T-Bone steak and a big Beer Leo solves the immediate problems that have accumulated on a 600 km long day on the road... malnutrition and dehydration...
A 300 gram T-Bone steak for 229 THB is not a bad deal at all...
One beer was not enough though, so...
Outlaw Brewing
The craft beer industry is struggling to gain a foothold in the face of egregious legislation and the vested interests (Singha & Chang) trying to nobble it. Pretty dumb, given that the overall beer consumption in Thailand is declining and what's needed is a more vibrant industry with lots of choices to suit more market segments, demographics and tastes. Craft beer stimulates sales and demands, whilst stifling any competition is far more likely to further repress the entire industry.
There are renegade brewers...
Outlaw Brewing in Loei is one example.
The
Outlaw Stout Beer is 8% and went nicely with a plate of sliced pork... a manly beer! They guys who run the place take their beer seriously, and are both friendly and interesting to chat with. If you express an interest in beer...
Interesting articles on Thailand's underground beer scene:
My first encounter with craft beer was by accident in the Night Market in Lampang a few months ago at a small cafe. The bottle of "The Dark Side" beer in the fridge caught my eye, and I was hot and thirsty... After a couple of sips, I realised I'd hit the jackpot - a beautiful black "stout" beer, and 8% ABV.