Drink Up: Laughing Buddha Pandan Brown Ale

The other day I was getting some Vietnamese food in the International District, and I was not surprised to see uninspiring beers on the menu. I've often wished for something more than a light pilsner as a beer option at Asian restaurants. Hopefully, my wish will soon come true.

The Pandan Brown Ale -- from Seattle's new Laughing Buddha Brewing -- is breaking new ground for pairing beer with Asian food. This ale is brewed with three types of malt, plus palm sugar and pandan leaves, which are two common ingredients used in Asian cuisine. The result is a complex, flavorful beer that remains very drinkable. This isn't a beer to just put out the fire of a spicy curry; it could make many culinary experiences more complete.

Laughing Buddha is available at select locations around Puget Sound on draft and in a 22-ounce bottle for about $3.99. Visit laughingbuddhabeer.com for more information.

-- Geoff Kaiser

Visit Geoff Kaiser's beer blog at blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/whatsontap.