Harrison White
Cambodia’s fast-evolving craft beer segment is preparing for its largest public showcase to date, with the inaugural Great Cambodian Craft Beer Festival set to take place on Saturday, January 31, in Phnom Penh. Organisers say the event reflects both rising consumer demand for premium, locally made products and the growing maturity of Cambodia’s small-scale manufacturing and hospitality ecosystem.
The one-day festival will be held at Coconut Park on Koh Pich from 2:00 PM until late, bringing together more than 10 craft breweries and over 20 vendors in what is being positioned as the Kingdom’s largest celebration of locally produced beer. Alongside tastings, the event will feature live music, food, and entertainment, highlighting how craft beer has increasingly become part of Cambodia’s broader lifestyle and leisure economy.
In this edition of Leader Talks, Cambodia Investment Review speaks with Daniel Marchette of Chew & Bash Hospitality to discuss how Bash Brewing is structured within a wider hospitality group, the opportunities and constraints facing Cambodia’s craft beer industry, and the role of large-scale F&B events in supporting long-term market development.
Partnerships Across The Hospitality Sector
Cambodia Investment Review: How is Bash Brewing structured within Chew & Bash Hospitality, and how does that translate into partnerships across the hospitality sector?
Daniel Marchette: Bash Brewing operates as the brewery arm of Chew & Bash Hospitality, which also includes the restaurant concepts within Hops Garden Co. including the venues Hops Craft Beer Garden & Restaurants and Chew & Bash – Phnom Penh Island Club. The brewery supplies all-natural craft beer both to our own venues and to external clients in the HORECA market. From the outset, we have focused on the premium end of the market rather than competing on volume. Today, our beers are available in around 20 outlets, including international hotels and established restaurants, and we are targeting roughly double that number by the end of 2026. The introduction of bottled beers in the near term should support that expansion by opening up additional distribution opportunities.
CIR: Partnerships appear to be a recurring theme for Bash Brewing, particularly with the upcoming festival. How do these collaborations fit into your broader strategy?
Marchette: Collaboration is essential in a market like Cambodia where craft beer is still developing. For the Great Cambodian Craft Beer Festival, we partnered with Botanico Brewing Co. to conceptualise, plan, and manage the event. Botanico has a strong reputation and complementary strengths, which makes the partnership very effective. While the craft beer space is competitive, there is still significant room for growth. The more exposure craft beer gets, the better it is for everyone. Working together on events like this helps introduce quality beer to more people and supports the wider ecosystem rather than just individual brands.
Cambodia’s Craft Beer Industry
CIR: What opportunities do you see in Cambodia’s craft beer industry, and where do the main challenges remain?
Marchette: Cambodia is a large and growing beer market, but craft beer represents only a small percentage of overall consumption. I expect it to remain a niche segment rather than something that competes directly with the large conglomerates. That said, there are encouraging signs. Rising incomes, urbanisation, and a growing middle class with international exposure through travel and education are all contributing to a more sophisticated consumer base. In our venues, we are seeing increased appreciation for premium beers, particularly styles that are more flavour-forward and traditionally associated with craft brewing, such as IPAs and wheat beers. That suggests a growing understanding of quality and variety.
CIR: How are changing consumer preferences, particularly around health and lifestyle, influencing product development?
Marchette: We are seeing greater health awareness among consumers, which is reflected in the growing popularity of lighter beers. We recently added a light lager to our permanent range to respond to that trend. Internationally, low- and non-alcoholic beers are becoming more mainstream, especially in Europe and North America. While that category is still very small in Cambodia, we are watching it closely and see it as a potential opportunity in the future as consumer habits continue to evolve.
Great Cambodian Craft Beer Festival
CIR: Turning to the Great Cambodian Craft Beer Festival, what are you hoping the event will achieve for the industry?
Marchette: The festival has two main objectives. First, it is about increasing awareness and understanding of craft beer among Cambodian consumers. Second, it is about highlighting and supporting Cambodia-based businesses, artists, and producers. The hospitality sector has had a challenging year, and many small F&B operators have felt that pressure. We want this event to provide a meaningful boost for vendors and creatives who call Cambodia home, while also celebrating Phnom Penh’s diverse and international community.
CIR: More broadly, how do large-scale F&B events contribute to market growth for craft breweries?
Marchette: Events play a critical role in exposure and engagement. They allow people to meet the brewers, understand the products, and experience craft beer in a social and accessible setting. Beyond consumer engagement, these events also help build networks within the industry. When brewers, hospitality operators, and creatives come together, it often leads to new ideas, partnerships, and opportunities that wouldn’t emerge otherwise.
CIR: Looking ahead, how do you see the craft beer and F&B event landscape evolving in Cambodia?
Marchette: We hope the Great Cambodian Craft Beer Festival can become a recurring, marquee event for Phnom Penh and eventually for Cambodia more broadly. As the capital continues to develop its cultural and entertainment offerings, a visible and vibrant craft beer scene can be another attraction for residents and international visitors. The industry is poised for gradual growth, and at Bash Brewing we look forward to playing an active role in that journey.
Event details:
- What: The Great Cambodian Craft Beer Festival
- When: Saturday, January 31, 2:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Where: Coconut Park, Koh Pich, Phnom Penh
- Tickets: Pre-sale $5 | At the door $7.50
