Lucky to be Alive - Craft Beer Taproom

Lucky to be Alive is a tiny, air-conditioned taproom at 79/7 Moo 1 on the live-music square of Fisherman's Village in Bophut, and is widely rated Koh Samui's best craft beer stop. The rotation draws almost entirely from Thai microbreweries, with a fridge of cans and bottles behind it, and hazy IPAs, pale ales and sours turn over so fast that regulars find a different line-up from one night to the next.

The bar keeps its menu on Untappd, which lists around sixty beers. A recent snapshot of the specialty board included Vana Brewing's Mango & Passion Fruit wheat and Crispy Boy helles, Baan Bangkok's West Coast Pilsner and Phangan IPA, 12°Plato's Tiger Is Crying hazy session IPA, Outlaw Brewing's Mosaic IPA and MUANJAI Brewing's Octa Nirvana, with more Baan Bangkok and Outlaw hazies waiting on deck. Double Vision and Hop Hog have also appeared on tap.

The owner and staff know the beers inside out and will talk you through Thailand's craft scene; ask for tasters before you commit. It's not cheap by Thai-beer standards, but the craft is fresh and well kept. Food stalls and buskers on the square keep things lively, there is seating outside as well as in, and there's a wine bar next door for non-beer drinkers.

Untappd lists opening from 5pm to midnight, and from 4pm until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Cards and cash are both accepted. It suits anyone staying in Bophut who wants to drink Thai craft beer rather than resort lager.