What truly sets a craft beer apart? While the classic ingredients of water, malt, hops, and yeast are the foundation, the real innovation comes from exploring new flavors.
Here at Pasteur Street Craft Beer, our approach has always been guided by a simple question: “What if?” We believe the most exciting flavors for our beer aren’t shipped from overseas, but are growing right here in our backyard. This is a guide to the Vietnamese craft beer ingredients that are central to our brewing philosophy and tell the story of our home.
First, let’s touch on why this matters. Typically, brewers build commercial lagers for consistency on a mass scale. Craft beer, on the other hand, is the opposite. It’s an expression of place, a chance to experiment with local beer flavors, and a direct reflection of a brewer’s creativity. The unique ingredients we use aren’t a gimmick—they are the core of the beer itself.
Ultimately, the best way to understand the impact of local ingredients is to taste them. Here are four of our signature beers, each telling a unique story of its Vietnamese origins.
Our Jasmine IPA is not just our all-time bestseller; it’s part of our origin story. For our very first test batch, we sourced fragrant jasmine flowers directly from the stalls at Saigon’s iconic Bến Thành Market. The goal, specifically, was to balance a bold, hop-forward IPA with a distinctly local aroma. As a result, the result is a unique contrast: a wave of classic citrusy hop bitterness that finishes with a clean, aromatic note of jasmine. Once the recipe was locked in, we began sourcing our jasmine from the highlands of Sapa and other northern provinces for quality and consistency, but it all started with an idea in that market.
When we first considered a fruit-forward ale, our minds went straight to the cool highlands of Lâm Đồng. We took a trip, visited the expansive gardens, and tasted the fresh passion fruit (chanh dây) at the source. That bright, tangy flavor is exactly what you’ll find in every glass of this crisp and refreshing ale. It’s a clean, zesty beer that captures the taste of Vietnam’s tropical climate.
The inspiration for our Pomelo IPA came from one of the most memorable images of Southern Vietnam: the floating markets of the Mekong Delta. Seeing boats piled high with local pomelo (bưởi) sparked an idea. While many IPAs use grapefruit for a citrusy kick, the Vietnamese pomelo has a slightly sweeter, more floral character. By using its essence, we consequently created a beer with a familiar hoppy bite but a distinct citrus profile that’s directly inspired by the Delta.
Our philosophy has always been that we can create world-class products from the incredible ingredients found in Vietnam. This is the beer that proved it. For our Cyclo Stout, we use local cinnamon and vanilla beans, but the star is the cacao, which we sourced through a partnership with Marou Chocolate—artisans who share our commitment to Vietnamese quality. Then in 2016, this beer won a Gold Medal at the prestigious World Beer Cup. It was direct validation of our core belief.
That gold medal was more than an award; it was confirmation. It showed that our approach—fusing modern brewing techniques with high-quality Vietnamese ingredients—could stand with the best in the world. The journey that started in a small Saigon alley was now being recognized globally.
Indeed, every Pasteur Street beer is a direct reflection of its ingredients. From the market stalls of Saigon to the highlands of Lâm Đồng and the floating markets of the Delta, these flavors allow us to brew beers that taste distinctly of Vietnam. We’re proud to share them with you.
Curious to taste the difference? Visit one of our taprooms and ask for a tasting flight to experience the unique beer ingredients and authentic flavors of Vietnam for yourself.
