33 Export 6Pk

33 Export 6Pk is a Vietnamese-brewed export lager sold in a six-pack of 330ml (11.2 oz) bottles at 4.5% ABV. Recognized as Vietnam's first exported beer, it carries a French-influenced recipe with German-imported ingredients — a heritage that distinguishes it from the broader field of Southeast Asian lagers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5%  |  Origin: Tien Giang Province, Vietnam  |  Style: European / Dortmunder Export Lager  |  Brewery: VBL Tien Giang Limited

Production & Heritage

The name "33" is not arbitrary — it refers to the original 33-centiliter bottle size that became the beer's signature. Brewed at VBL Tien Giang Limited in the My Tho Industrial Zone of Tien Giang Province, 33 Export follows a European export lager tradition, using malt and hops in a Dortmunder-style formulation that traces its roots to French colonial-era brewing. The beer was Vietnam's first to be exported internationally, earning a devoted following across Southeast Asia and among diaspora communities worldwide.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light cereal grain and malty sweetness lead, followed by faint fruity notes and a subtle sugary quality. A hint of sulfur can appear when first poured but dissipates quickly.

Taste: The entry is clean and slightly sweet, with a malty backbone that carries through the mid-palate. Subtle caramel and cracker-like flavors develop, accompanied by a very light hop presence that adds just enough bitterness to balance the grain sweetness. Rice-like lightness keeps the body approachable and easy-drinking.

Finish: Short to medium in length, the finish is crisp and dry with lingering malt character. It wraps up clean, making each sip lead naturally into the next.

How to Drink 33 Export

Serve ice-cold, ideally between 35–40°F (2–4°C), straight from the bottle or poured into a chilled pilsner glass to release the malt aromatics. Its light body and clean profile make it a strong base for beer cocktails: a Michelada benefits from its subtle sweetness playing against lime and hot sauce; a Shandy pairs its malty softness with fresh lemonade for a daytime refresher; and a Beer-garita (beer floated atop a frozen margarita) works well because 33 Export's mild hop character won't compete with the tequila and citrus.

Best For

• Pairing with Vietnamese street food like bánh mì or phở
• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather grilling sessions
• Introducing friends to classic Southeast Asian lagers
• Stocking a varied international beer fridge

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 33 Export taste like? 33 Export is a light, slightly sweet lager with malt-forward character, subtle caramel and cracker notes, and minimal hop bitterness — clean and easy-drinking throughout.

How does 33 Export compare to Heineken? Both are European-style export lagers, but 33 Export leans slightly sweeter and maltier than Heineken's more pronounced hop-bitter profile. Multiple reviewers have described 33 Export as a softer, more approachable alternative to Heineken.

Is 33 Export good for beginners? Yes — its low ABV of 4.5%, light body, and mild flavor profile make it an accessible entry point for anyone exploring international lagers or Southeast Asian beers.

Where is 33 Export made? 33 Export is brewed by VBL Tien Giang Limited at the My Tho Industrial Zone in Tien Giang Province, southern Vietnam. The brand traces its origins to French colonial-era brewing traditions in the country.

What foods pair well with 33 Export? Fresh spring rolls pair naturally, as the beer's crispness cuts through the rice paper and herbs. Grilled lemongrass chicken benefits from the malt sweetness balancing charred, aromatic flavors. Spicy Thai papaya salad is tempered by the beer's low bitterness. Fried wontons or imperial rolls work because the carbonation cleanses the palate between bites. Light seafood dishes like salt-and-pepper shrimp complement the lager's clean finish.

What sizes does 33 Export come in? The standard format is a 330ml (11.2 oz) bottle — a size directly referenced by the brand's name, as 33 centiliters equals one-third of a liter. This six-pack contains six 330ml bottles.

Is 33 Export worth the price? 33 Export positions as a value-tier import lager, typically priced competitively against other Southeast Asian beers like Tiger and Saigon Export. For its heritage as Vietnam's original export beer and its clean, approachable flavor, it delivers solid value within the import lager category.

Why 33 Export?

As Vietnam's first beer brewed specifically for export, 33 Export carries genuine historical significance that most budget import lagers cannot claim. Its French-origin recipe and Dortmunder export style set it apart from the rice-lager mainstream of the region, delivering a slightly more complex malt character than many of its peers. The iconic 33-centiliter bottle — the source of its name — is immediately recognizable and has been a fixture in Vietnamese restaurants and international markets for decades. For anyone seeking an authentic piece of Vietnam's brewing heritage in an easy-drinking, everyday format, 33 Export fills that role with straightforward, no-frills credibility.