Hanoi HomeBrew Review 2026: Has the Beer Changed?

Local Craft Beer Vibe in Hanoi

On my last trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, I ended my final night at a charming local craft beer spot. I couldn't stop thinking about that incredibly refreshing brew, so on my very first afternoon back in Hanoi in 2026, I made it my first stop.

But things didn't go quite as expected...

1. Revisiting Hanoi's Local Craft Beer Scene

The shop was still standing in the exact same spot (though to be fair, only a few months had passed). On my previous visit, I tried a beer called 'Hanoi Memory' that absolutely blew me away. While many craft breweries in Vietnam experiment with rice-based brews, most only offer a faint hint of rice. This one, however, was a game-changer—bold, unique, and incredibly smooth.

2. A Local Microbrewery with a Twist

🕗 1:00 PM - 12:00 AM

This is a true local microbrewery. While they don't brew directly inside this tiny stall—likely sourcing it from a central facility nearby—they have multiple locations scattered throughout the Old Quarter.

3. The Sad Tale of the Changed 'Hanoi Memory'

I didn't try the entire menu, but because 'Hanoi Memory' left such a lasting impression, I looked for it immediately. Strangely, it had vanished from the menu. When I asked the staff, they smiled and told me it was still there, just renamed to 'Hanoi Rice Lager.' Why would they replace such a poetic name with something so generic? I was disappointed, but I ordered it anyway. Then I took a sip.

Wait. This wasn't it. Not even close.

I wondered if my memory had just romanticized the taste because of the travel vibes, but no—this was physically a different beer. It even looked lighter. I pulled up my old blog post to compare the photos.

To make sure it wasn't just the lighting, I brought my glass inside to match the background of my previous photo. The left is the original 'Hanoi Memory' from my first trip; the right is the new 'Hanoi Rice Lager.' They are clearly different. When I asked the staff again, they admitted that while it's technically the same product line, they recently changed the recipe. Why ruin perfection? 😭

4. Rapid Expansion & Street-Side Vibes

Despite my personal heartbreak over the beer, this brand is expanding aggressively. Every time I wander the Old Quarter, I spot a new location opening up.

I tried ordering at one of the newer branches, but unfortunately, the taste remained the watered-down version. It's worth noting that not all these street beer stalls are owned by the same brand, even if they look identical at first glance.

Some have different logos and signs. The closest competitor looks almost identical, but if you look closely at the cups, the logos differ. The original spot I loved is 'Hanoi HomeBrew,' while the rapidly expanding sister brand is labeled 'Tony Vũ's Brewing.'

Both brands are popping up everywhere right now, capitalizing on the massive influx of travelers in 2026.

I even spotted a brand-new location under construction, officially branded as 'Tony Vu's Brewing.'

The business model is brilliant. They cater heavily to Western tourists who love the authentic Vietnamese street-side drinking culture. Because patrons sit outside on low plastic stools directly on the sidewalk, the actual physical shops can be tiny. Each stall only requires a single staff member to pour drinks. The beer is brewed off-site and delivered, making it incredibly easy to scale.

If they ever bring back the original recipe for 'Hanoi Memory,' I'd be the first to recommend it. But with the current watered-down formula? I'm not so sure.

That said, if you just want to experience the classic Hanoi sidewalk vibe, grab a tiny stool, and watch the motorbikes zoom by with a cold drink in hand, it's still a fantastic way to spend an hour.