Vanuatu's Beer Scene: A Guide To Local Brews

Vanuatu, a nation of over 68 islands in the South Pacific, is not particularly known for its beer. The local beer, Tusker, is a generic lager that also comes in lemon flavour. Tusker is considered Vanuatu's Premium Beer and dominates the country's beer scene. However, there are other options available, including Seven Seas beers, which are now brewed by Tusker, and Numbawan, a draught beer. For those looking for something stronger, Vanuatu also has a drink called kava, which is traditionally consumed in social settings by men at the end of the workday.

Tusker: Vanuatu's Premium Beer

Tusker is the dominant beer in Vanuatu, known as the country's "Premium Beer". It is brewed in Vila by Vanuatu Brewing Limited, which has also taken over the production of Seven Seas beers. Tusker Vanuatu Premium Beer is a pale lager with an alcohol content of 5.0%. It is described as a light beer without too much taste, apart from the pleasure of drinking it with your feet in the water in Vanuatu. Another review describes it as a thirst-quenching beer without taste or flavour. Not bad but nothing good either. Beer lovers, walk away.

Tusker also comes in a lemon flavour, which is available at the War Horse Saloon in Vila, a traditional Vila bar. The saloon is described as having almost nothing Vanuatuan about it in terms of decor, but it offers beers that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The saloon used to brew Seven Seas beers, but now they are brewed by Tusker.

Tusker is also available at the Nambawan Café & Bar in Vila, as well as at the Smuggler’s Seafood Restaurant & Bar, the Havannah Vanuatu, and Erakor Island Resort & Spa Port Vila.

Numbawan Brewery Bar

The brewery bar is conveniently situated on the main street, just 100 meters from the orange markets. It is known for its lively atmosphere and is an excellent spot for people-watching. The outdoor seating provides a great view of the bustling city life, with its unique vehicles and vibrant culture.

The brewery bar is a popular spot for both locals and tourists, providing a dynamic and friendly environment. The staff are known for their swift and expert service, ensuring a pleasant dining experience. Numbawan also offers souvenirs, such as drinking glasses, t-shirts, and coasters, providing patrons with a memorable memento of their visit.

Overall, Numbawan Brewery Bar is a fantastic destination for those seeking a taste of local craft beer and a glimpse into the vibrant culture of Vanuatu. With its central location, lively atmosphere, and diverse offerings, it is a must-visit destination when exploring the beautiful nation of Vanuatu and its 68 islands.

War Horse Saloon

If you're looking for a place to drink beer in Vanuatu, the War Horse Saloon in Vila is well worth a visit. While the surroundings are solidly American, you'll be able to try some beers that you won't find anywhere else in the world.

Seven Seas beers used to be brewed at the War Horse Saloon, but they are now brewed by Tusker, the dominant beer in Vanuatu. However, you can still find some unique beers on tap at the War Horse Saloon, including Texican (a faux Corona), Boots Lager, and Hairy Dog Porter. The saloon also offers Tusker with lemon in a bottle, as well as a BBQ food menu and sports on TV.

If you're looking for other beer options in Vanuatu, you can try the Numbawan Brewery Bar and Restaurant, which is located near the heart of Vila. They brew their own beer on-site, offering varieties such as Bitter, Draught, Gold, Porter, Cider, and seasonal specials like Uno Mex.

In terms of the local beer, Tusker, a pale lager, is described as "nice when cold and the weather [is] hot." It has an alcohol content of 5%, so be careful not to get too carried away! Tusker also offers a Vanuatu Bitter, which some drinkers have noted is quite similar in taste and colour to the original Tusker.

Vanuatu also has a drink called kava, which is popular across Melanesia. Kava is made from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant and is consumed in bars, almost exclusively by men, at the end of the working day. It has mood-altering effects and is considered a casual social drink, although it is known for its strong and unique taste.

Vanuatu's beer scene

Vanuatus Beer Scene

Vanuatu is a nation of over 68 islands in the South Pacific. Its beer scene is dominated by Tusker, a pale lager beer produced by the Vanuatu Brewing Company based in Port Vila, Efate. It is described as "Vanuatu's Premium Beer" and is the pride and joy of Vanuatu. Tusker is also available in a lemon flavour and as a bitter. It is strong at 5% ABV and costs around $45 to $50 AUD for a case.

There are a few other interesting beer options in Vanuatu. Numbawan Brewery Bar in Vila brews its own beer on-site, with varieties including Bitter, Draught, Gold, Porter, Cider, and the seasonal Uno Mex. The bar is located close to the heart of Vila, about 100m from the orange markets, making it a great place to people-watch.

Another place to try beer in Vila is the War Horse Saloon, where you can find Seven Seas beers on tap, including Texican, Boots Lager, and Hairy Dog Porter. The saloon has a solidly American decor, featuring number plates, flags, Native American Indian gear, and a "circle your wagons" wagon.

• Seven Seas Happy Dog Porter
• Seven Seas Chris' Cider
• Vanuatu Nambawan Ale
• Seven Seas The Texican
• Pale Lager - American
• Seven Seas Boot's Lager
• Pale Lager - American
• Tusker Vanuatu Bitter
• Pale Lager - International / Premium
• Tusker Vanuatu Lemon
• Southern Cross Stout R
• Stout - Extra / Foreign / Tropical
• Tusker Vanuatu Premium Lager OP
• Tuskers Premium Ale R
• Pale Lager - International / Premium
• Vanuatu Premium Bitter R
• Pale Lager - American

While Vanuatu is not particularly known for its beer, the local beer, Tusker, is very good and well-priced, making it a popular choice for both locals and tourists.

Kava: a traditional drink

Vanuatu is not known for its beer, with Tusker being the most popular option, a generic lager that also comes in lemon flavour. However, the country has a traditional drink called Kava, which is much more popular and culturally significant.

Kava is a drink made from the roots of the plant, Piper methysticum, which is a species of plant native to the Pacific Islands area. The name, Kava, comes from Tongan and Marquesan, meaning 'bitter'. It is consumed for its sedating effects and is drunk in a similar context to beer in Western society; at the end of the working day, in bars, and almost exclusively by men.

Kava has been consumed in Vanuatu for over 3,000 years and is an integral part of the country's rituals and culture. The original settlers of Vanuatu, the Lapita people, are thought to have domesticated the plant for medicinal and cultural purposes. It is often offered as a welcome drink to visitors and exchanged as a gift at important gatherings.

The traditional method of preparing Kava involves chewing the root into a paste, spitting it out, and then mixing it with water. However, nowadays, it is more common to pound the root with a pestle and mortar, which is deemed more efficient, although it does change the taste slightly. Kava is sold in 'Kava Bars', which were traditionally village meeting places called 'nakmal' where important business took place.

The taste of Kava has been described as earthy and muddy, similar to old, cold coffee or stale dishwater. Despite the unappealing flavour, people continue to drink it for its after-effects, which include a tingling sensation in the mouth and throat, and a sense of relaxation and sedation.

In summary, while Vanuatu does have a local beer option in Tusker, the country's traditional drink, Kava, holds much more cultural significance and is consumed for its unique effects and long history in the region.

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