[saltwater]

Haha too much is never enough!

When it comes to beers with no nasty side effects, one stands above any other - San Miguel Light (full strenght beer without the calories!!)

[kombuchakid]

Blue Girl is from South Korea, Carlsberg is technically Shenzen Beer. For safe sipping in a bar try the locally brewed Aldrich Bay-very toohsome.
My personal favorite for an at home aperetif is Old Speckled Hen, from the Old Country, which the folks at Beer Bay deliver in 50 litre kegs.

[PDLM]

Since most of the calories in beer are in the alcohol I don't see how "without the calories" can be true...

The "lite" normally refers primarily to reduction in carbohydrates (sometimes the alcohol is also reduced).

The result is a reduction in calories of perhaps 25-30% (from say 150 to 110 calories per bottle), which I guess is beneficial, but certainly isn't "without the calories".

[saltwater]

I stand corrected. Yep i think the SM Light has a reduced calorie count, not without calories like I said.

Whatever the case, and whatever the brand, I'm looking forward to knocking a few back tonight.

Come on party people its FRIDAY

[grandcider]

So going back to the original question, can it be assumed that these beers are brewed regionally and not in the brand's country of origin? It's hard to imagine that Oranjeboom, imported from Holland, would sell at $10 for 3 cans in Wellcome. Where does locally-purchased Heineken or Guinness originate from?

[Lammarite]

The Oranjeboom and Skol are imported. Heineken, Guinness etc are brewed in China, Malaysia, Phillippines etc. Some Ireish bars here pour the proper Irish Guinness but you pay the premium...if you're a diehard it's apparently well worth it.

[JCT]

DaveD, Could be the formaldehyde that is causing your headaches...
http://www.shanghaiist.com/archives/...aws_agains.php

[cerberus]

yes. was about to mention the olf formaldehyde story again, apparently it's a big controversial thing right now. i'd support local brews if i knew which ones were really from here...i thought san mig was the only one, but now you guys mentioned aldrich bay and blue girl. also saw a coaster advertising Hong Kong Beer. any sightings?

as for why they're cheap, maybe it's because elsewhere they're overpriced? i mean, it doesn't cost much to ship beer. talk about a bulk item.

[Lammarite]

There are some good locally brewed beers but often sold under the names individual bars give them. They used to sell as Dragon's Back but didn't market too well. I think The Globe sells it as does Hong Kong Brewhouse- good, hoppy stuff too.

[cerberus]

you mean HK brewhouse sells Hong kong Beer or Dragon's Back?