BEER REVIEW: 403

BREWER: Singha / Shepherd Neame, Kent, England

STYLE: Lager

ABV: 4.8%

VESSEL: 630ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 27th June 2025

 

JYMI SAY’S…

It was 7607 days ago that Sammy and I reviewed Singha for the first time. Though Muse on Booze didn’t get going until 2017 we did have a brief stint of reviewing beers back in 2004 when we lived together in West London. Back then, we didn’t really have a clue what we were going on about (cue, nothing has changed much then) due to our diet mainly consisting of mass produced lager and the odd Guinness. Luckily, there was a pretty cool bottle shop near us that imported a few brews from around the globe so we were able to have a fair crack at some brews that were not readily available.

Singha was imported back then. Though it wasn’t that hard to get hold of, it most certainly was not easy either. So this was a bit of a treat for us and we loved it! I gave it a rather healthy 50/60 with accompanying notes of…

Very very nice. Big fan of the taste and the packaging is great. Not too dry for an eastern beer either.

Insightful stuff hey?!

Anyway, fast forward to today and here we are again with a Singha in front of us ready to be inhaled.

Has anything changed?  Well, yes.

The packaging, though quite similar to 21 years ago, has been tweaked. I still like it, but is nowhere near as good as it was.

Where this brew is brewed has also changed. The offering we had in 2004 had been crafted in the Boon Rawd Brewery in Bangkok. The beer we have today (though overseen by Singha operatives) is actually brewed in Kent.

Unsurprisingly the ABV has dropped too. Coming down from a heady 6% to an everyday duty avoiding 4.8%.

And it’s also available in Tesco.

Has the beer suffered because of all of this? Of course it has.

But you know what… it’s still actually really good! There is a little sweetness, a little dryness and a wee bit of spice too. It’s refreshing, highly drinkable and for a macro lager has a fantastic nose all things considered!

And I for one am really glad we have tried this again, as you can pick up 3 x 630ml bottles on offer down at my local shop.

So, this will quickly become a summer fridge filler let me tell you!

Though this is not a patch on what it once was, Singha is still a decent and distinctive lager.

Jymi’s Rating: 68%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

This one steps onto the stage with a confident stride—classic in its look, reliable in its presence. The packaging? It’s got that old-school charm, a tip of the hat to tradition. Nothing flashy, but it knows its lane and sticks to it like a seasoned performer.

On the nose, well, it’s singing the standard lager tune—no unexpected high notes, no groundbreaking riffs. But hey, sometimes consistency is what keeps the crowd engaged.

Taste-wise, Singha isn’t looking to win any international vocal competitions, but it delivers a solid set. Crisp, refreshing, and finishing with a sharp little flourish—almost a sherbet-like zing that perks up the senses. It’s the kind of performer that doesn’t steal the spotlight but keeps the energy steady in a crowded lineup.

Now, mouthfeel—this is where Singha shines. Five stars for easy-drinking swagger. It’s the dependable backup vocalist in a mass-produced beer ensemble, harmonising beautifully without taking over the show.

Would I book Singha for another gig? Absolutely. It’s not a headliner, but it’s a reliable act that knows how to play to the masses. A good offering, steady and solid, delivering the kind of easygoing experience you expect from a well-rehearsed lager.

Sammy’s Rating: 68%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 68%

MOB review next weekend: SUMMERLEAZE by FIREBRAND BREWING

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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M O B 2025