Filipinos are known for being a fun-loving bunch that likes to find any excuse to celebrate. Whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, or graduation, you will always find Filipinos gathering for a festivity. As such, one of the things that you will always find at Filipino parties is the wide selection of drinks, mainly beers.
Mainstream beer brands, including the iconic San Miguel beers, have dominated the industry for a long time, but in recent years have seen the rise of homebrewers, focusing on creating unique beverages known as craft beers.
What are craft beers?
Craft beers are artisanal concoctions known for their unique and complex flavor profiles, highlighting different fruits, crops, herbs, spices, and even local delicacies. There are craft beers from signature local ingredients like rice, mango, and even purple yam (ube) in the Philippines. Since these beers are handcrafted, you are guaranteed high-quality beverages from the finest ingredients.
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Craft beers are commonly made in smaller batches by independent brewers compared to commercial beers. These brewers are mostly MSMEs built by individuals who are passionate about craft beers and who love the challenge of creating one-of-a-kind beer mixes. Craft brewers can experiment with the flavor, texture, aromas, and alcohol content of their beers, and most brands have signature recipes that are unique to them. From IPAs and wheat beers to porters, stouts, and lagers, there’s no limit to what these craft beer makers can curate.
If you are new to the craft beer scene or looking for the best ones, here are five of the Philippines’ most prominent craft beer brands that you should not miss:
Baguio Craft Brewery
This renowned brewery and pub started in a garage. Its owner, Christopher Ordas, started learning to brew beers while living in Canada. In 2014, he decided to put up a brewery in the Philippines. Baguio Craft Brewery eventually opened in 2014 in the Philippines’ summer capital, Baguio City.
Baguio Craft Brewery specializes in fresh, handcrafted beers from eighteen rotating taps. It also has a rooftop area called the Biergarden, where you can order freshly-brewed beer and sumptuous bar chows while enjoying the cold climate Baguio is known for. Baguio Craft Brewery is known for its flagship line, the Ifugao Mythology-inspired Mystic Beers, consisting of the Pugaw India Pale Ale, Lagud Strawberry Beer, Dalom Brown Ale, Daya German Lager, and Kabunyan Wheat Beer.
Crazy Carabao Brewing Co.
Crazy Carabao is a microbrewery in Laguna that creates specialty boutique beers. They take pride in having a consistent brewing process so that the taste of their beers remains unchanging. More than just selling beverages, they believe in catering an experience through their beers’ distinct taste notes.
Crazy Carabao’s beer lineup includes Golden Ale, Pale Ale, Wheat, Pilsner, and Indian Pale Ale. These brews are available nationwide in more than 140 locations, including high-end restaurants and local supermarkets.
Mitchell’s Backyard Brewery
There are countless breweries in Metro Manila, but Mitchell’s Backyard Brewery is one of the most notable. This award-winning brewery was established in 2018 by James Mitchell, who started the brand with the mission of making excellent craft beers to pair with food and enjoy with friends and family.
In 2019, their American Sunrise Pale Ale won a silver medal at the Asia Beer Championship. The following year, they joined the Asia Beer Championship once more. This time, they bagged a gold medal for their mocha stout and the Chairman’s Selection Award for their Backyard Harmony IPA and American Sunrise Pale Ale. Finally, in 2021, their American Sunrise Pale Ale won a blind taste test at the MGM Open Cup. This Quezon City-based has taken the craft beer industry by storm with its internationally-acclaimed brews.
Turning Wheels Craft Brewery
Turning Wheels is a cycling-themed brewery established in 2014 and is known to be the pioneer of Cebu‘s craft beer industry. The brewery got its name from the founder’s love for cycling and how it correlates with drinking beer.
Turning Point’s founder and chief brewer, Michael Nikkel, says that many cyclists enjoy drinking beer to celebrate important milestones or to freshen up after a long ride. Turning Point started as a home brewery and is now advocating to teach more people about the art of creating craft beers. Aside from offering a wide selection of craft beers, they also produce homebrew kits and host homebrewing events and classes.
Fat Pauly’s Handcrafted Ales and Lagers
Established in 2010, this Iligan-based brand is hailed as one of the Philippines’ first craft breweries. Their beers contain unique ingredients from Mindanao, like wild honey, coffee beans, cacao, mangrove barks, limes, chilies, and other local crops.
Their most popular brews are the Sultan Coffee Stout, Iligan Single Hop Origin Pale Ale, Ilaya Intensely-Hopped Pale Ale, and the Lumad Steam Lager. Aside from craft beers, they also offer non-alcoholic craft calamansi soda and beer-based cocktails.
