Sat, Jun 25, 2005 - Page 16 News List

A new brew is born

A cider-like alcoholic beverage made from the sugar palm-tree in Cambodia is becoming a popular drink

AFP , Daun Mann, Cambodia

Kim Sea, who distributes the beer in Siem Reap, says he has already sold Khmer to more than 200 outlets, inclu-ding restaurants and supermarkets, and claims the new brand has been a hit among both tourists and Cambodians.

But he has received some complaints of upset stomachs from the beer, which sells at 1,500 riel (40 US cents) a bottle.

"Some consumers are concerned about the sanitation of the beer production and think it is not good enough," he says, adding that he has passed on the comments to the factory.

He is also encouraging tour guides to tell tourists about the drink, "but they dare not introduce it to them because they are afraid drinking it will cause them problems," he says, sighing.

It's a reflection perhaps of an ingrained wariness even among Cambodians themselves of products made in the kingdom, where there is virtually no industrial base. The beer has quality approval from the ministry of industry.

Pok, meanwhile, is aiming to double production next year when he expands advertising from local radio to national television. He aims to export Khmer, with companies from both Japan and the US taking samples back for study.

"But they have not ordered from us yet," he says, adding he remains hopeful of spreading the Khmer name worldwide.

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