Hey all, as promised (for the 4 of you that read these things), here’s my rundown of the awesome array of ales (and other types) available at Silom’s (and arguably all of Bangkok’s) best bastion of beers—G’s German on Soi 4.
Guido—G’s owner—is a beer nut. He doesn’t drink alcohol, but he’s responded to a life’s calling to bring the crème de la crème of the frothy beverage to the lips of his customers with an almost religious fervor. It would be impossible to adequately cover every beer on their menu here, especially since it’s always changing. Instead, what I offer is a list of 1—the mainstays, 2—the objectively best beers in his fridge, and 3—my personal faves. Let’s dive in…
OK first of all, G’s wisely keeps a sweet-ass collection of the world’s best beers: Westmalle, Orval, Kwak, Tripel Karmeliet, Pilsner Urquell, Paix Dieu, St. Bernardus, La Chouffe, La Corne, Bush Triple, all the Caroluses, the list goes on.
Then there are the specialty Belgians and Germans: Delerium, Kasteel, Cuve des Trolls, Kerel, St. Louis, Hacklberg, Grevensteiner, Flensburger, Redeberger, Weihenstephan Weizenbock-Kristall-Dunkel-Weissbier, Schneider Aventinus- Kuchlbaueer Weisse-Hellesbier-Turmweisse-Abensberger-Aloysius-Alte Liebe, various Leikeims, my favorites are Triporteur Heavenly Blonde and Weihenstephan Hefe Weissbier.
G’s also has a handful of Thai crafties. I’m not able to list them because I’m not interested in them but I’ve heard from impartial 3rd party beer snobs that they’re quite good. I can only write on what I know and so, here’s my summation of a few of the above beers:
Kwak
This Belgian classic is strong, rich, and hypnotic. It hits you like a ton of bricks. Each sip softens the edges of one’s brain like pressing fingerprints into playdough. They used to serve it at The Strip, and my goal was always to make it through three bottles without passing out. I never did do it.
Paix Dieu
Its nickname is the champagne of beers, and rightly so. The delicate, elegant structure and flavor mimic that French bubbly elixir. It’s pricey though, so I’ve only had it a couple times. Each time, it felt like Christmas.
Triporteur Blonde
There are 3 Triporteurs: Heaven, which is a pale ale, Hell, which is a dark beer made from bunt malt, and Full Moon—an oak barrel-aged concoction. I always get Heaven for how easily it does down. It’s a delightful thirst-quencher for the Bangkok heat.
Weihenstephan Hefe Weissbier
Hands down my favorite on G’s menu, possibly on Earth, this lovely wheat beer has notes of banana, and pairs perfectly with the banana flavored Backwoods cigars I had shipped from the US. It’s the only beer I’ve ever had that I could call truly perfect.
And now, Festbier on tap, by the same maker. I’d somehow missed it all these years and past Oktoberfests. It’s been a wondrous discovery, if only for the fact that it’s impossible to get the other 11 months of the year.
I haven’t done G’s menu justice here. I’m just a poor beer lover whose words can’t capture the serenity and wonder of this magical little eatery, where the great food is only outshone by the bottles in their fridge. If you get the chance, swing on by. Tell them Seven sent you.
Thank you for the update. Valuable information...dare I say, essential.