There is no shortage of colorful walls in Saigon. Countless photo essay and Instagram posts have depicted these facades, some weather-worn and beaten, others freshly painted or covered in murals illustrating everything from climate change to the importance of conserving rhinos.
One particularly eye-catching mural can be found in hem 144 Pasteur Street, home to Pasteur Street Brewing Company. It’s impossible to miss ‘The Glass’ as you enter the alleyway, and this artwork has nearly become synonymous with the company’s beer. The piece created by Quay, one of the most respected street artists in Vietnam to draw curious eyes into the hem and, judging by the regular crowds snapping photos on their phones, it does just that.
The brand’s now-iconic IPA glass sits at the center of the piece, while to the right there is a list of all of the ingredients which PSBC sources from within Vietnam, as well which region of the country they come from. Think dragon fruit from Phan Thiet and coffee beans from the Central Highlands. This highlights their commitment to keeping the brewery as local as possible, especially through the use of Vietnam’s abundant fruit.
In a nod to old Saigon, the various ingredient and location names are rendered in classic Vietnamese fonts inspired by the city’s old hand-painted signs. These signs are still common in more rural parts of the country, but today they are harder to find in major cities. Such typography has experienced a renaissance in recent years, with hip cafes and restaurants regularly looking to the past for inspiration.
Elsewhere, the mural informs visitors of the ingredients which PSBC has to import, such as grain from Germany and Belgium or hops for the US, New Zealand and Australia. At the bottom right, meanwhile, is list of the countries which the brewery exports beer to, including Malaysia and Hong Kong, and there is plenty of room left for expansion.
Taken together, the artwork portrays the full story of PSBC in one colorfully rendered piece.
This focus on visual storytelling extends to the craft brewery’s cans. Two types of these were released in July, the Jasmine IPA and the Passionfruit Wheat Ale. Both beers are sold in cans which relate their own tale.
The former represents Saigon, where the IPA is made, through essential images such as Ben Thanh Market, the Central Post Office and a retro Vespa entering the city. The label, meanwhile, represents traditional Vietnam and the bountiful exotic ingredients which grow here.
The passionfruit can, meanwhile, represents Da Lat and the namesake fruit grown there. The design incorporates the stunning fields, rolling hills and waterfalls of the popular Central Highlands city, giving customers a preview of the refreshing brew held inside. The image of a woman in an áo dài, picking passionfruit servers as another nod to Vietnam’s past.
The can labels are the work of Rui Ricardo, a well-known Portuguese designer represented by a London-based company called Folio. This attention to detail related to beer cans fits with PSBC’s goal of changing perceptions toward the drinking vessel in Vietnam. Spend time at any of Saigon’s ubiquitous roadside eateries and you’ll quickly notice crates of bottled beer ready for customers.
Bottles, however, are a poor alternative to cans. The latter travel better, are lighter and are more easily recyclable, meaning they are better for the environment. Canned beer also stays good for up to six months, so you don’t have to worry about them going bad like bottled beer. In case one needs more convincing, cans also provide better protection for beer from the sun and oxygen, the two biggest enemies of a brew.
PSBC’s dedication to drawing customers in through unique art has become a major brand touchpoint, while their drive to highlight the benefits of canned beer underscore their commitment to high-quality beer. Next time you’re quaffing a refreshing Jasmine IPA or Passionfruit Wheat Ale, take a moment to reflect on the story told on the can you’re holding.
Pasteur Street Brewing Company Locations
THE ORIGINAL TAP ROOM
144 Pasteur Street, District 1, HCMC
+84 28 3823 9562
HEM TAP ROOM
144/3 Pasteur Street, District 1, HCMC
+84 28 3823 9562
FILLING STATION
29 Thao Dien, District 2, HCMC
+84 28 6273 0562
HANOI TAP ROOM
1 Au Trieu, Hoan Kiem Hanoi
+84 (0) 2462949462
Pasteur Street Brewing's website
Pasteur Street Brewing's Facebook Page
+84 28 3823 9562
144 Pasteur Street, D1, Ho Chi Minh City
