Craft Beer Tasting Experience in Ho Chi Minh City

East West Brewing puts a flight of Vietnamese craft beer at the center of the visit, with brewing tanks inside the restaurant adding a welcome bit of context. Choose four styles to keep the tasting manageable, or take on the ten-beer King’s Flight if you want a wider sweep from light beers to darker, stronger pours.

I like the chance to try several house-brewed styles in one stop, and the option to order proper food rather than treating the flight as a stand-alone drink. The brewery’s District 1 location also makes it an easy add-on after a visit to Ben Thanh Market.

One caveat: the tasting may arrive without an explanation of each beer, and some tasters have wished their pours were colder. If you want a guided lesson, ask staff about the styles as they serve them rather than assuming a formal tasting talk is included.

Key points

• Four styles, 160 ml each: The standard flight gives you four beers of your choice in generous sample-size pours.
• Ten beers in the King’s Flight: A broader way to compare styles, though it can be a lot for one person.
• A brewery setting in District 1: East West’s tanks are visible inside the venue, giving the tasting a direct connection to the beer.
• Food is extra, but worth considering: Snacks and restaurant dishes can make the flight feel more like a meal.
• A lively range of flavors: Options include lighter, fruity beers and fuller, darker styles, with the Saigon Rose and Summer beers drawing particular interest.
• Plan the practical details: Redeem your mobile voucher from 11:00 to 19:00 at 185 Ly Tu Trong Street. Transport is not included.

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Four or ten pours at East West Brewing

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This is a tasting at East West Brewing, a popular Ho Chi Minh City microbrewery with a restaurant and a kitchen concept. The brewing equipment is part of the setting, so you are not simply ordering a flight in an anonymous bar. You can see tanks in the venue while you taste, which helps connect the beer in your glass to the place making it.

The main choice is between the Tasting Flight Experience, with any four styles, and the King’s Flight, which offers ten. The four-beer flight is the sensible pick for most people. At 160 ml per glass, each sample is larger than a quick sip, and four pours add up to a substantial tasting. If you are drinking with a companion, the four-style set can also be a fun way to compare favorites.

The ten-beer flight makes more sense if you are keen on craft beer or want a broad picture of the brewery’s range. You can move from lighter, crisp beers toward more intense or dark styles, as one drinker’s experience of the set suggests. But ten samples are a commitment. Some people share the set, which lets each person taste more styles without facing ten glasses alone. Check the current package details before booking if serving size matters to you.

What the tasting is like, from voucher to last sip

There is no fixed sightseeing route here. You arrive at East West Brewing, present your mobile voucher, choose or receive the flight associated with your package, and taste at the restaurant. The voucher must be redeemed between 11:00 and 19:00 on the selected date and time. Arrive on time: late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

The four-beer option is described as a choice of any four styles. That makes it a good fit if you already know what you like, but it is also useful if you are still learning. You might pick contrasting styles rather than four similar beers: a light one, a fruit-forward one, a hop-led option and a darker beer, if those are available when you visit. Ask the staff what is currently pouring and what distinguishes the choices. Do not count on a formal explanation being included; some people have received their beers without a guided introduction.

If you want more context, ask a specific question as your flight arrives. What is the lightest beer? Which one is most bitter? Is a fruit note part of the recipe or the aroma? That small exchange can turn a set of samples into a more useful tasting. One host, Chi Kien, has been singled out for keeping a tasting entertaining, but staffing can vary, so treat that as a possibility rather than a promise.

The King’s Flight is a bigger tour of the menu in miniature. Ten different beers give you more chances to find a favorite, and the sequence can show how much craft beer varies in color, body and flavor. It may be a good shared order for a pair, especially if neither of you wants ten full sample glasses. If you are tasting alone, consider your appetite and tolerance before choosing the larger set.

The beer: fruity, light, hoppy or dark

East West’s range is a central reason to book. The choices can span light and refreshing beers through to fuller, darker styles. Some tasters particularly enjoy the Saigon Rose, describing it as light and refreshing, while the Summer beer has also earned fans. These are useful names to ask about, not guarantees that every style will be available on your visit.

There are more unusual options, too. Durian Cream Ale has attracted curiosity, though do not expect an overpowering durian flavor just because the fruit is in the name. That is part of the fun of a tasting: a label can hint at a flavor, but the glass tells you how strongly it comes through.

Preferences vary. A beer flight is not a promise that all four or ten samples will suit your palate. One person’s favorite may be another person’s miss, especially when the set moves from a mild beer to a bold one. If you are new to craft beer, that variety is valuable. You get to test your preferences without ordering a full pint of each style.

Temperature is the main practical concern worth raising. Some tasters have wanted colder pours, and beer temperature can affect how refreshing a glass feels in Ho Chi Minh City. If your beer seems warmer than you like, politely ask whether it can be served colder. It is a small request, but it may matter more to you than the distinction between two similar styles.

Add food, and give the flight some time

Food is not included in the tasting package, but the brewery has a restaurant menu, and pairing your beer with something to eat is a smart move. The menu has been praised for its food as well as its beer, with options ranging from snacks and fries to more substantial dishes. A cold-cuts platter has been recommended as a good match for the flight, while steak has also drawn praise.

The practical reason to order food is simple: four 160 ml pours are not tiny. A meal or snack can make the visit more comfortable, particularly if you choose the ten-beer flight or plan to linger. Ask for the menu when you sit down, and check the cost before ordering since food and other drinks are extra.

The room itself is part of the appeal. The tanks, large interior and restaurant setting give you more to look at than a row of taps. It works for a casual outing with a friend, a family visit where everyone is of drinking age, or a meal paired with beer. This is not an outdoor beer garden or a walking tour, so plan on spending time at the venue rather than expecting a series of stops around town.

Is the price good value?

The four-beer flight is often the better-value choice if your aim is to sample, compare and keep the evening open for other plans. The published starting prices are not entirely consistent: the package options give the four-style flight from US$9.25, while the summary price says from US$10.19. Treat those as starting figures and confirm the total at checkout. The King’s Flight is listed from US$20.95.

Value depends on what you want. If you would otherwise order several craft beers, a flight is an efficient way to compare styles without committing to full servings. If you only want one beer, or you would rather choose from the entire menu on the spot, buying the tasting package may be less useful. Food, extra drinks, transport and tips are not included.

The four-beer flight is also a fairly substantial tasting rather than a token sample. That helps explain why some people find it generous, while others consider the experience relatively expensive. Look at the final price and package contents before you pay, and decide whether four styles or ten are worth more to you than ordering individually.

Getting there and sorting the booking

East West Brewing is at 185 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, near Ben Thanh Market. A local taxi or private car is the recommended way to get there. Self-driving is not recommended, and transport is not part of the package.

You must be at least 18 to take part. The activity is not wheelchair-accessible, and it is not recommended for people with certain medical conditions, including high blood pressure or epilepsy. If you have dietary needs, the venue can accommodate requests such as allergies, gluten intolerance and vegetarian diets. Contact the venue or booking support ahead of time so your needs are clear.

Confirmation is usually issued within minutes. If it does not arrive, contact customer support. Changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity starts, subject to exclusions. The voucher is valid for the date and time you select, and late arrivals or no-shows cannot be refunded. Cancellation at least 24 hours before the activity date, in local time, qualifies for a full refund.

Who should book this tasting?

Book it if you enjoy beer, want to sample several locally brewed styles, or need an easy food-and-drink stop in District 1. It also suits curious non-specialists: the four-beer option lets you discover whether you prefer light, fruity, hoppy or dark beer without ordering four full-size drinks.

For a first visit, I would choose four styles and ask staff to help select contrasting beers. Pick the ten-beer flight if you are an enthusiastic sampler, are sharing, or have enough time and appetite for a longer tasting. Add food, especially if you are trying the larger set.

Skip it if you want a structured brewery tour with guaranteed commentary, need wheelchair access, or are not comfortable with a venue that may serve the beers without a full explanation. If you are particular about serving temperature, ask for colder pours early. With those expectations in place, this is a straightforward way to spend an hour or so around craft beer, although no fixed duration is specified.

FAQ

What is included in the four-beer tasting?

The Tasting Flight Experience includes four beer samples, each 160 ml. Food, other beverages, transport, personal expenses and tips are not included.

What is the difference between the two packages?

The Tasting Flight Experience lets you choose any four styles. The King’s Flight is a ten-beer tasting set. Check the current package details before booking for exact serving information.

Where is East West Brewing?

It is at 185 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, near Ben Thanh Market.

When can I redeem my mobile voucher?

Redeem it between 11:00 and 19:00 on the selected date and time. Present the mobile voucher at the venue.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food is an extra purchase, but you can order from the brewery restaurant menu. Dietary requirements such as allergies, gluten intolerance and vegetarian diets can be accommodated.

Is there an age or accessibility restriction?

Participants must be 18 or older. The activity is not wheelchair-accessible.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using local time. Changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity starts, subject to the stated booking exclusions.