Chitbeer on Koh Kret island is the original Thai craft brewery — opened in 2014 on a small Chao Phraya river island, the first licensed craft operation in the country, and still one of the most influential. The brewery itself is a riverside taproom reachable only by ferry from Pak Kret pier.
Getting there is part of the experience: BTS to Pak Kret, taxi to the ferry pier, three-minute crossing to Koh Kret (THB 5 each way), short walk along the island's main path. The taproom seats around fifty across an indoor space and a riverside terrace. House beers on tap (usually six at a time), local kratip-and-grill kitchen, and the original brewing kit visible through a window at the back.
The strongest order is the Chitbeer Pale Ale — 5.5%, Cascade and Citra hops, balanced and properly bitter. The Chitbeer Stout (5.8%, chocolate-coffee, smooth) is the second call. The seasonal range is the place to ask questions: the brewer has been working on a sour programme with local fruits (mango, longan, jackfruit) and the experiments are usually on tap before they bottle.
Chitbeer is not a casual drop-in. The journey makes it a half-day commitment, which is the right framing. Lunch at the taproom, two pints, a walk around the island, the ferry back at dusk. The room is small enough that the brewer is often on the floor; conversations come easily.
Best time to visit: Weekday evenings before 9pm for a quieter version of the room; weekends after 9pm for the busier one. Reservations recommended where the bar accepts them.
What to order
- 01
Chitbeer Pale Ale
- 02
Chitbeer Stout
- 03
Chitbeer IPA
- 04
Seasonal Sour
- 05
Beer Flight