The annual Vegetarian Festival is observed nationwide and runs this year from the 1st to the 9th of October. Celebrations are happening all over the country during this time, especially in the Phuket area where the most spectacular events take place. If you want to check out the festivities somewhere a bit closer to the city, try the Chinatown area. This is a gathering point for plenty of Vegetarian Festival excitement; rows of stalls selling vegetarian cuisine, processions at the nearby temples, and even a Chinese Opera on Charoen Krung Road Soi 20.

First and foremost, the Vegetarian Festival is a religious event and you’ll find plenty of reminders of this. Beautiful lanterns hang from ceilings and people can be seen quietly making merit with candles and incense in the Chinese temples. The Vegetarian Festival is Chinese in origin and was created to celebrate the nine Emperor Gods. The diet during this time is strictly vegan and is used as a way to cleanse the body and the mind and get rid of any evil.

The Ten Commandments of the Vegetarian Festival

1. Abstain from killing animals;

2. Abstain from eating all kinds of meat;

3. Abstain from stealth and embezzlement;

4. Abstain from harming others bodily or mentally;

5. Abstain from telling lies, using obscene language or swearing at people;

6. Abstain from touching people of the opposite sex or talking with them flirtingly;

7. Abstain from taking alcohol or using narcotics;

8. Abstain from gambling;

9. Abstain from wearing ornaments including those made of metals or leather;

10. Abstain from sharing receptacles or utensils or a meal with people who do not observe the commandments.

Beer Pairing

If you are celebrating the Vegetarian Festival in a very strict and serious manner, you are technically not allowed to consume alcohol or narcotics. If you are just an average joe like us at Wishbeer, you’ll still want to drink your sweet nectar! During this time of cleansing the body and consuming healthy vegetarian dishes, you can choose beers which are considered to be more healthy and in line with a vegetarian lifestyle. Check out the following beers that we recommend you try during this Vegetarian Festival.

Brunehaut Blond  (Gluten Free)

Not only is Bruhehant Blonde a delicious, flavorful gluten-free beer, it’s a well-balanced beer in general. Some consider this award-winning Tripel to be a wonderful step in the right direction for the world of gluten-free beers. Brunehaut Blonde is made with all-organic ingredients which help contribute to its overall crisp and bright character.

Brunehaut Blanche (Gluten Free)

The Brunehaut Blanche is a white beer coming out of the De Proef Brewery in Belgium. It features a delicate aroma, smelling of florals and yeast as it pours a hazy, yellow golden color. The taste is similar to the aroma with some additions of caramel and fruits. The Brunehaut Blanche is a light, refreshing beer with good balance to be enjoyed on any given day. Gluten-free.

Brunehaut Ambree (Gluten Free)

This gorgeous hued, amber ale is delicate with cognac accents. The Brunehaut Ambree’s aroma is of lightly toasted caramel and pine nuts, with hints of yeast. The flavor goes well with the nose, featuring notes of citrus, peaches, and light sweetness. The carbonation is quite active and the body is on the medium side. The malt and hops of this brew are supremely blended. Gluten-free.

Brunehaut Triple (Gluten Free)

The Brunehaut Triple contains a higher ABV than its Brunehaut counterparts, both the Ambree and the Blanche. This 8 percent ABV Tripel blonde brew has a coppery appearance and a heavy, persistent head. It contains a full flavor of brown sugar, toffee, and a bit of brown sugar. It’s a smooth drink that finishes on a sweet note. Gluten-free.

Mikkeller American Dream (Gluten Free)

Offering up the same great taste as the original, Mikkeller American Dream Gluten-Free is for all the beer lovers out there with gluten-intolerance. RateBeer.com rated Mikkeller American Dream as World’s Best Lager in 2012. This hoppy pilsner lets off a fragrant aroma of fresh hops, lemon zest, white grapes, and light breads. The taste is almost nutty with a light hop bitterness and accents of toasted breads. Mikkeller American Dream is wickedly refreshing with plenty of carbonation.

Summer Wine Pils (Pairs Well with Vegetarian Dishes)

A bold aroma of spices, tropical fruits, and green vegetables will hit you in the face as you pour this pale, golden yellow pilsner. Summer Wine Pils is refreshing and light. It tastes quite fruity on the tongue with some lingering tangerine and lemon peel flavors. The body is thin and watery with a slightly oily texture. Summer Wine Pils finishes on a delightfully hoppy note.

Enjoy this year's Vegetarian Festival!