Indonesia is predominantly Muslim and regular
consumption of branded alcoholic beverages is estimated at about
3% of the population, despite this low rate the local beer
market is fairly healthy possible also due to Indonesia's large
tourism industry. San Miguel of the Philippines have a large
slice of the local market brewing both Anker and Bali Hai as
well as the local version of San Miguel, the other major beer
label is Bintang which is owned by Heineken of the Netherlands.
Interestingly Beer is spelt Bir in Indonesia and the locals
who do drink often prefer the locally made spirits
arak, brem and tuak. These spirits are
often also home made and can be dangerous to the uninitiated.
Anker Bir Pilsner
A Light colored 5% that produces very little
head, it is sweet but is also a little watery. Made in the
same factory as Bali Hai and San Miguel.
Bali Hai Pilsner Bir
This 5% Pilsner is watery and produces no
head like many of the Indonesian beers, while it is mildly sweet
there is not a lot of flavor to it.
Bintang Bir Pilsner
This 5% Pilsner has a malt and hop flavor.
Its watery taste is often compared to Heineken who own the
Bintang brewery, the Bintang bottle is also reminiscent of a
Heineken bottle too . Bintang recently launched a shandy type
product called Green Sands, it is like a beer mixed with lime
that has less than 1% alcohol
San Miguel Pilsner
San Miguel is actually a Philippines owned
company that also brew their beer locally in Indonesia. Needless
to say the locally brewed San Miguel has some similarities to
the Philippines brewed drop, San Miguel is sold in large
quantities in Indonesia and rivals the local beers for a large
chunk of the Indonesian beer market. its a 5 % Pilsner similar
to the other Indonesian beers with a touch of bitterness