Two Months of Silence, Don't You Think That's a Bit Much, Dear Amara Beer Lab Team?
Alright, alright, we hear you! The DMs have been piling up, the whispers in the taproom (that isn't even open yet) are deafening, and our imaginary focus groups are giving us stern looks. "Amara Beer Lab, what gives? Two months of radio silence? Just when things were getting exciting? Are you trying to push back that opening date indefinitely so we never get to taste your beer?"
Let's be crystal clear: this wasn't some master plan to build suspense or create an enigmatic aura around our brand. Frankly, that would probably backfire spectacularly, leading to a catastrophic loss of engagement right when we need you most. No, the reality, as it often is, is far more complicated, a little frustrating, and involves a dog. But we’ll get to that.
So, grab a (non-Amara, for now) drink, and let us tell you what’s really been brewing behind the scenes.
New Digs, New Dreams (and Dust!)
First off, as we excitedly shared in our last update (here), we relocated to a fantastic new spot right in the heart of Siem Reap! This meant rolling up our sleeves and diving headfirst into renovations. Turning a new space into the Amara Beer Lab & Taproom vision takes time, sweat, and a surprising amount of decision-making about paint colours. We've been hard at work making it perfect for you.
The Great Cambodian Shipping Saga
Just as we were hitting our stride with the venue, a rather significant spanner was thrown into the works. Our precious brewing equipment, the heart and soul of Amara Beer Lab, ended up on an extended, unscheduled vacation after it cleared customs in Phnom Penh. It seems our Cambodian freight forwarder wasn't exactly thrilled with the existing arrangements or agreements previously made with the Chinese freight forwarder further up the logistics chain. This, understandably, led to them hitting the pause button on proceedings. As a result, our gear remained stubbornly stationary for over a month. Yes, a month. This delay was… let’s call it a character-building experience for our patience levels.
"Every crowd has a silver lining"
( American showman, businessman, and politician, July 5, 1810 – April 7, 1891 )
A Silver Lining: The Birth of "The Amara Bar and Restaurant"
Every cloud, as they say, has a silver lining. The shipping hiccup, while frustrating for the brewery side, gave us an unexpected opportunity to hyper-focus on another crucial aspect of our vision: the taproom menu and the overall Amara experience.
This is how The Amara Bar and Restaurant truly came into its own. We’re not just about beer; we're about quality, sustainability, and celebrating local ingredients. We’ve meticulously designed a menu that’s entirely vegan and vegetarian, offering high-quality, thoughtfully sourced food and snacks at accessible prices. We're embracing all kinds of fermentation! Think house-made kombucha, zesty homemade ginger ale, creamy yogurts, and tangy lacto-fermented vegetables – all produced right here on-site. We're also crafting a unique breakfast offering that reflects our vision: sustainable, healthy, and bursting with local flavour. And yes, there will be cocktails!
A Personal Detour: The Rona Rescue Mission
Then, just a few weeks ago, life threw another curveball. I, the one penning this heartfelt update (and the owner), lost my dog, Rona. The ensuing search was frantic, and I’ll never be able to adequately thank the incredible friends who rallied to help (spoiler: many, many free beers are owed once we're pouring). Naturally, my attention was, for a time, entirely elsewhere.
Heavy Lifting, Literally!
The good news? Last week, the shipping gods finally smiled upon us! Our equipment was released and made its way to Siem Reap in a swift two days. Victory! Or so we thought. The next challenge? Hoisting hefty fermenters and the entire brewhouse up to the third floor of our building. This involved crane trucks, a considerable amount of sweat, and the indispensable help of our tireless Cambodian friends.
Speaking of which, if there are any Cambodians reading this: did you know you get a special discount at Amara Beer Lab? It’s our way of saying thank you and fostering community. You can read more about why we made this decision here
When It Rains, It Pours (Mosquito-Borne Viruses and More)
As if we hadn't had enough excitement, about four days ago, I came down with what was most likely Chikungunya. It’s always good to be informed about these things, so here’s an official link if you’re curious: Read WHO documentation
And because life clearly has a sense of humour (cue embarrassed, sad face emoji 😥), my dear Rona (yes, the same Rona) also fell ill. This time, it’s far more serious: she has distemper, and her chances of survival are heartbreakingly slim, around 20%. She's currently receiving the best possible care at Angkor Vet Clinic, and we’re all hoping for a miracle.
So, What Now? The Home Stretch!
Despite these… adventures… we’ve been pushing forward. The selection process for our taproom and brewery staff is well underway, and we’ve met some incredible people.
We anticipate the grand inauguration of The Amara Bar and Restaurant very soon. You'll be able to enjoy those amazing breakfasts, specialty coffees, brunches, and snacks, soak in the good music, and enjoy the great company.
As for the first Amara beer? You’ll need to wait just a little longer. Once the machinery is fully assembled, it’ll be about three more weeks until that first glorious pint is ready.
Stay Tuned – For Real This Time! We promise, this time with feeling, that more details are coming very, very soon. Thank you for your patience, your support, and for sticking with us on this wild ride. We can’t wait to finally welcome you to Amara Beer Lab.