The world’s third largest brewery, Heineken International, recently launched a US$60 million brewing facility in Hmawbi, near Rangoon, marking the Dutch company’s comeback to the Burmese market economic sanctions forced its exit in 1996.

The new Burma brewery is operated by a joint-venture called APB Alliance Brewery, between local Alliance Brewery Co. (ABC) and Heineken’s Asia Pacific Breweries. Dutch premium beer Heineken will be available in the market later this year, while its local brand—Regal Seven—will be distributed beginning in August. Heineken’s local beverage, with a five percent alcohol content, is dedicated to the seven people who established the APB Alliance Brewery.

At a launch event earlier this week, The Irrawaddy spoke with the brewery’s managing director, Lester Tan, about how Heineken might fare in Burma’s battle of the beers, which has long been dominated by the locally loved Myanmar Beer, manufactured by the military-owned Myanmar Breweries. These days, however, it seems there’s always room for one more drink as new brands like Tuborg and Yoma start springing up at local watering holes.  Heineken Invests in Burma

Beer in Burma