Crown

Cambodian Craft Beer Crown 2026

The Cambodian Craft Beer Crown is an annual independent craft brewing competition and festival in Cambodia. It features local microbreweries competing for top honors through expert blind tasting and public votes.

This Cambodian Craft Beer Crown 2026 took place on July 18, 2026, at the Botanico Craft Beer Garden in Phnom Penh – where twelve independent local breweries competed head-to-head for the crowned craft beer king!

Participating Breweries

  • Botanico Brewing Co. (The 2026 Gold Winner & Host)
  • Fuzzy Logic (Silver Winner)
  • Himawari Microbrewery (Bronze Winner)
  • Riel Brewing
  • Projekt Brews (The 2025 defending champion)
  • Mozzie’s Brewing Co.
  • Jaya-Vara
  • Black Bamboo
  • Sak Pub (Sak Pub / Sak Beer)
  • Chug Lab
  • Brew Khnear
  • Krama Craft Brewery 

Event Overview and Theme

The 2026 competition focused on classic European beer styles. Twelve independent craft breweries from Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Kampot brought their best pours to go head-to-head. Expert judges certified by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) evaluated the entries using blind-tasting methods.

The entries spanned eight traditional European categories, including:

  • Pilsners
  • Weissbiers
  • Bocks
  • PaleAles

2026 Crown Winners

After careful review by the expert panel, the host venue Botanico Brewing Co. claimed the main title. They were followed closely by runner-up breweries Fuzzy Logic and Himawari Microbrewery. The event highlighted the high standard of brewing talent currently operating within the Kingdom.

Atmosphere and Entertainment

Tickets for the event cost $15 online and $17.50 at the door. Guests received a special tasting glass and unlimited samples of all competing competition beers. The garden venue filled up with a diverse crowd of local residents, business owners, and international visitors. Live entertainment featured sets from DJ Shagzy, MC Luke, and the QBA Band.

Growth of Local Craft Brewing

Beyond the competition itself, the gathering served as a milestone for Cambodia’s small but energetic craft beverage community. Events like this show a steady rise in interest among local and international consumers who want high-quality, specialized drinks rather than standard mass-market lagers.

Throwback to 2025

The Cambodian Craft Beer Crown 2025 edition gained major traction on August 16, 2025, at the Botanico Craft Beer Garden – and served as a catalyst for creative, experimental brewing in Cambodia.

Sponsored by global hop giant Yakima Chief Hops, the 12 participating breweries were given a secret, identical “Cryo Hop” ingredient. Each team had to build an entirely original recipe around it.

The Winner (2025): Projekt Brews, a prominent microbrewery operating out of Kampot, won the main Crown title with an exceptional, highly creative execution that set a new benchmark for the local industry. 

What the Future Holds

Looking ahead, the Cambodian Craft Beer Crown 2027 is expected to push the boundaries of regional brewing by highlighting local Khmer ingredients and sustainable production.

Following the success of the 2025 Cryo Hop challenge and the 2026 European style showcase, industry insiders predict the 2027 competition will task the 12 independent breweries with infusing traditional styles with indigenous Cambodian flavors like Kampot pepper, palm sugar, and local tropical fruits.

The event will likely expand its venue space to accommodate a rapidly growing crowd of both local Khmer consumers and international craft tourists. Additionally, with the Craft Brewers Association of Cambodia (CBAC) gaining momentum, attendees can look forward to an expanded panel of international BJCP judges, broader educational workshops on homebrewing, and exclusive collaboration brews created jointly by the Kingdom’s top microbreweries.

Well Done to All Involved

Congratulations to this year’s winners and well done to everyone that took part. Here’s to an ever-growing craft beer community in Cambodia!