Leading Philippine Craft Breweries and the Vibrant Evolution of the Local Craft Beer Scene

Engkanto, the Philippines leading craft brewery, has launched a vibrant new look to reflect its evolution as a brand. Established in 2017 the brewery, based in the outskirts of the Philippines’ capital city of Manila, was founded on the idea of taking risks, trying new things, and setting a new standard for craft brewing in the archipelago nation. Emerging now from the global pandemic the Engkanto management team felt it was time to reimagine the brewery’s image with not only new label artworks that passionately express a renewed vision, but new variants that reflect the new brewmaster’s approach to reimagining their core range.

Strategic Rebranding and Leadership

The brewery worked with renowned US based branding agency Creature Theory, who count well known craft breweries Stone Brewing and Sierra Nevada among their clients, to develop their new brand identity. Last year there was a change of leadership in the brewhouse with the appointment of Boxing Cat Shanghai’s ex-brewmaster Michael ‘MJ’ Jordan as the new head of the brewing team. The new logo, replacing the old mystic moth, is a bold sun icon – created to be an enduring beacon of a more courageous, more passionate, more creative life. The logo is an iconic display of the brewery’s undaunted optimism and positivity and is reminiscent of the sun on the national flag.

Crazy Carabao: Celebrating Filipino Roots

Local premium craft beer brand Crazy Carabao has undoubtedly come a long way – what started out as a dream among friends after watching a Manny Pacquiao fight in Las Vegas, slowly turned into a reality with the acquisition of an abandoned building in Sta. Rosa, Laguna for brewery. Now approaching its 10th year, Crazy Carabao takes pride in being a major player in the Philippines’ craft beer industry. Despite its growing popularity, Crazy Carabao is still brewed in small batches, with the same passion and dedication for quality and creativity.

True to its roots, Crazy Carabao has updated the look of its packaging, paying tribute to its Filipino roots. To accompany the beer’s awesome taste, each Crazy Carabao bottle is now adorned with a single beaming color that shows vibrancy through the sunrays accentuated by symbols of Pinoy culture such as the Chocolate Hills, the jeepney, and the butanding. On top of the new packaging, the brand has also updated its website featuring a Beer Finder feature that lets users easily find the nearest outlets that sell Crazy Carabao – from bars, restaurants, groceries and stores around the country.

Expansion of Product Portfolio

The same principle of using fresh and premium ingredients is followed in the brand’s newest offering – the Newtons Noggin Apple Cider, which has a fruity, fresh, and mild kick. It complements Crazy Carabao’s other existing products, namely Pilsner, Pale Ale, Wheat, Golden Ale, and India Pale Ale. Drinkers can taste the natural freshness of the ingredients – malts are imported from Australia and Europe, and hops are grown in Yakami Valley located next to Seattle, USA.

Guide to Local Craft Beers in Manila

Filipinos are known to be drinkers, so it’s no wonder if they create their own beers. According to the Philippine Craft Beer Community, there are now 36 local breweries: 12 craft brewpubs and 24 nano/microbreweries with over 200+ craft beer styles. Here is a guide to some local craft beer styles available in the market:

• Katipunan Indio Pale Ale (4.8% ABV): An American Pale Ale style beer that has less alcohol with a fruity but spicy taste.
• Turning Wheels Mountain King IPA (7% ABV): A West Coast style IPA that has an intense hop aroma and recognizable bitterness.
• Craftpoint Liberation Pale Ale (5.5% ABV): A blend of Belgian yeasts and American Pale Ale with caramel matiness and tropical fruit notes.
• Joe’s Brew Sierra Madre Wheat Ale (4.3% ABV): An American Pale wheat ale style beer that has a light, fruity flavor with hints of banana.
• Pivo Praha Dark Lager (4.5% ABV): A Czech-style beer made from a mix of barley, caramel, black malt, hops, and yeast.
• Fat Pauly’s Iligan Single Hop Origin Pale Ale (7.4% ABV): A classic pale ale style using ingredients endemic from Iligan City.
• The Cebruery’s Boracay Blonde Ale (4.5% ABV): An American Blonde Ale style beer that gives off a light pomelo flavor with a crisp finish.
• Baguio Craft Brewery’s Pugaw (7% ABV): An American style beer that has a high hop of flavor and bitterness with citrus and pine notes.
• Palawan Honey Kolsch (6.5% ABV): A German style beer made with native Palawan honey, considered a “tribal beer”.
• Pedro Brewcafter’s Endless Summer Wheat Ale (7% ABV): A citrus beer with a hint of toasted nuts and a semi-fruity flavor.

Market Presence and Availability

Currently, craft beers are available in top bars and restaurants across Metro Manila, including most of the 5-star hotels in the country and in all the main retailers such as S&R, The Marketplace, and Landers Superstore. As the local craft beer scene gets bigger, numerous pubs and bars are now offering them, including the Bottle Shop in Paseo de Magallanes and Global Beer Exchange.