Saturday Stuffs: Yes, you can get Beer Lao in San Diego and Luong Hai Ky opening in Mira Mesa

Yes, you can get Beer Lao in San Diego:

During our vacation in Laos, I found myself totally smitten with Beer Lao. After returning home, I did a bit of research, and found that Beer Lao had 2 distributors in the United States. And one of them was HC Foods in Commerce. I had also seen Beer Lao at World Foods  on El Cajon Boulevard. But on our visit to World Foods, there was no Beer Lao in sight. Which got me thinking……if I were a Beer Lao, where would I place myself, for easy purchase and consumption?

And I guessed correctly!

This lovely case of Beer Lao was just going out on the floor, when we grabbed it. In the name of not separating this family of 12 Beer Lao siblings from each other in a strange country, we purchased the whole case. Came out to $32 with tax and CRV.

The purchase of this case got us a bit of attention at the check-out counter. A young man, chatting with the young lady running the register, looked at the case and said; "Beer Lao?" To which I replied; "yes, Bialao (which is the way they pronounce it in Laos…one word), it's good stuff!" This brought a big smile from the young man, "oh yes, nothing better than Bialao, it taste good, and help with heartburn and indigestion." Ah yes, Beer Lao, the magic elixir, cure for whatever ails you…..

For some reason, the young man, eyes glazing over, starting talking to us about Laos. When the Missus mentioned Naem, he brightened significantly, "yes, yes, Naem, mmmmm…." The Missus, entering into interrogation mode, tried to extricate whatever info She could, but as usual it ended with; "I no make Na-em, my mother makes it….it is the best!" After a few minutes, and discussions on Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Lao food and drink, we managed to extricate ourselves. And to our surprise, he left the market, entered his car and drive away. Based on his dress, and the manner in which he was conversing with the cashier…we thought he worked there. And where was "there" specifically?

97 Super Market
4679 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92105

The young lady mentioned as we were leaving; "we moving in end of December or January, going to corner of University and 30th. You find us easy, I'm putting up a big Cambodian, Lao, and American flags!"

  So, how did the beers compare? As you can tell, the labels of what we had in Laos (to the right), and what we bought differed a bit. But that was probably because the product was being exported to the US. We did detect a few differences in taste and texture; the Beer Lao we bought here is much more effervescent and foamy. Also, the mouth feel is less "creamy", and the finish isn't quite as sweet, as what we detected in Laos. Whether due to changes occurring in shipping, formulation, or maybe it was just "atmospheric"? We can't be sure……

It's not like I'm going to stop drinking the stuff!

Luong Hai Ky Opening in Mira Mesa:

As indicated by FOY "Sandy", Luong Hai Ky is opening a branch in Mira Mesa.

This location will be on 10606 Camino Ruiz. Don't you love the "Original Chinese Noodles Restaurant" sign?