[grandcider]

What's the story with all these supposedly imported beers on sale in supermarkets (e.g. Skol, Oranjeboom, Royal Dutch, Blue Girl) that are as cheap -- or even cheaper than most of the mainland brands? How can this be possible? And why are they labelled "Imported" without any mention of where they're imported from?

[neither3nor4]

The Czech Republic is your friend.

[petrm]

Either they are not imported or ..........

HK is not a place of beer drinkers like Europe, or even the US. Therefore, beer makers and distributors are forced to sell cheaply in order to sell anything.

Surprisingly, beers from mainland are quite a bit more expensive. I think this is because the mainland companies know nothing about marketing. They are simply greedy.

[saltwater]

I've been on the lookout for a particular Australian beer since I got here. Carlton Draught is a personal favourite, and despite various attempts to have it imported via local liquor stores, I haven't had any luck.

I've even gone as far as emailing the producers a few times (its brewed by the same group that makes Fosters and VB) about importing some to HK, but never received a response.

[Lammarite]

There's a lot of overbrew and HK is at the end of the line really of supplies. If there is leftover in the containers etc it gets offloaded cheap. Blue Girl is a local beer isn't it? Oranjeboom is a good beer but Skol is a bit ropey!
The advantage of these is that you don't get the Hong Kong headache quite so bad as if you drink the local Carlsberg etc.
I was in Italy over the summer and a bottle of Peroni was about 3 Euros (HKD30) but you can buy it on Lamma for HKD15- go figure!

[saltwater]

Yeah whats the story with Blue Girl?

At least now their ad is half decent. Not nearly annoying as the old one where they're all stuffing around on the beach.

I checked out their website and it looks like a local beer, 'rebranded' as something imported (from Germany??) to give it an international image.

They're going pretty hard with the promotions at the moment. Anyone ever tried it... is it any good?

[Lammarite]

pretty bland if you ask me- especially if it's supposed to be German! I'm pretty keen on Tsing Tao- especially ice cold from a big bottle on a hot day with some fresh deep fried calamari!

[DaveD]

The headache problem is really weird...

I used to live in Mosocw for nearly one year, went out quite often and had plenty of beers (imported and also Russian ones), and also Wodka sometimes.
Most of the mornings, when I woke up, no headache at all. Six hours sleep after an excessive clubbing night were enough...

But here in Hong Kong, when drinking as much as in Moscow, and returning home at around 6am or so, 6 hours sleep is by far not enough. Even after 9 hours or so, I still suffer from brain loss and headaches etc.

Isn't it weird? I don't think it's the weather...

[saltwater]

Anecdotal evidence from me & my mates suggests beers here have a lot more preservatives packed into them than other countries. Probably because of the quality of the water these beers are brewed with. These preservatives do nothing to help with headaches and generally feeling ill the day after a big night.

From personal experience, Heinekin and Stella are the worst culprits. Some nights I'll only have two or three stellars and still feel woeful the next day. Carlsberg and San Mig are the best for the day after.

[Lammarite]

Originally Posted by saltwater

Carlsberg and San Mig are the best for the day after.

And they're the ones which are packed with the most preservatives and a cocktail of chemicals. Have you tried the Czech beer, I forget what it's called but it doesn't give you a hangover. Organic wine is also good to get ripped to and still get it going on the next day.

I feel I have put too much research into this subject.