Where to Get Your Craft Beer Fix

With The Bottle Shop now closed, what possible hope then does the rest of the craft beer industry have to survive this pandemic? Jim Araneta, whom Josemari Cuervo of Crows Craft Brewing & Distilling Co. calls the guru and pioneer of craft beer in the Philippines, has shut down The Bottle Shop Global Beer Exchange in Paseo de Magallanes (their BGC branch is still open). Its illustrious eight years of business, stopped short because of a virus that ironically, bears the same name as that of a well-known beer.

Araneta’s The Bottle Shop Global Beer Exchange was among the first places to find craft beer in the country. Now, if the trailblazer himself shut down operations, what future will other brewers and distributors face? There are currently 60 registered brewers and 10-15 unregistered (home-based) brewers in the Philippines.

A self-confessed old-school traditionalist, Araneta is playing it safe with COVID-19. To this doting grandfather, former child model, motorcyclist, and triathlete, “e-numans” just don’t cut it. Neither does sitting in a bar with a plastic sheet between you and the next patron!

“Beer is about memories,” Araneta explained on a recent podcast with Cuervo. He also shared some advice for the newer players and brewers out there: “Go from B2B to straight to the mouth!” And that’s exactly what many of them have been doing.

Here’s where you can get your craft beer fix, delivered straight to your doorstep.

Engkanto

Challenge. Change. Grow. That’s their tagline.

They pride themselves on being the “fearless brewer of the 21st century.” According to their website, Engkanto is the brave and bold craft brewery that empowers Filipinos to “finally challenge what they have felt has needed to be changed for so long.”

If a taphouse wishes to survive, it’ll need to disrupt the industry and how things have been done to date. Good thing Engkanto has a head start.

Purchase Engkanto here.

Nipa Brew Craft Beers

What’s your flavor? Are you an adventurous surfer, or a glamorous urbanite? Okay, so we’re stuck at home, and our surf dreams and clubbing memories have been put to a halt. But we can plan our next adventure for when it’s finally safe to do so. What better accompaniment to our travel goals than a craft beer that’s inspired by Philippine flavors, climates, and sceneries?

Nipa is “brewed for adventure,” as their tagline goes. They’re so attuned to the needs of their customers, they even offer a customized beer. There is literally no better giveaway the next time you and your friends, colleagues, or family can meet up face-to-face for a birthday, anniversary, or – indeed – the end of the pandemic!

Place your orders here. Message them on Facebook or send a text message to +63 917 893 0486 for more info.

Two Belgians (Les Deux Belges)

Gregory Tutt and Emmanuel de Ghellinck, the titular Two Belgians, have dedicated their careers to opening up the Philippines-Belgium connection. Two Belgians (Les Deux Belges) initially began as a beer importer, bringing in the beers from Belgian breweries straight to the Filipino palate.

Their extensive catalog includes a mind-boggling array of beers, from Hopus Strong Ale to Westmalle Dubbel Strong Amber, and from Belgian Kriek Fruit Beer to Barbar Bok Brown Ale.

These fellows not only provide a new niche in the alcohol market – they’re also proud to create that bridge between Belgium and the Philippines through providing employment to the Filipino.

Order your Belgian beers here.

Joe’s Brew

As the bio on their Facebook site goes, “My fellow people – I hereby promise to you, to go forth – learn the craft of malted barley, bitter hop, and artisanal water — seek the knowledge of the Trappist monk – and bring to you beer so exquisite, it will unite us as one – with a common goal: to drink craft beer!”

Well, when you’re stuck at home, facing Zoom Gloom, observing social distancing, and engaging in as many e-numans as you can, you need something exquisite. A brew with a big personality is a great companion on those nights when you just can’t with this lockdown.

Want something exquisite for your next e-numan? Order by calling or texting 09164553945.

Pedro Brewcrafters

No, that’s not Zach Galifianakis. The fellow in the fisherman’s hat and the wayfarer shades is Filipino. His name is Pedro, he’s not a real human, he’s a craft beer. And he’s got a lot of personality. Pedro is brewed in San Pedro, Laguna (hence his name) by four friends, whose goal is simple: to give Filipinos a top-notch beer to compete well against the craft beers we find in other countries.

So, give our well-traveled Filipino friend Pedro a shot. The names evoke all sorts of scenarios, from the Elementary English Ale to the Procrastination Pale Ale to the Endless Summer Wheat Ale. Plus, Pedro looks like such a fun guy, you can’t help but daydream about vacations with him and his red chicken to a worry-free, chillax type of existence with a good cold brew in your hand.

Bring Pedro home! You can find delivery details here.

The PCK

The Philippine Craft Kings bring you not just one brand or two brands, but all sorts of craft beers from Bel Ale, Crazy Carabao, Crows, Engkanto, Illusion, Joe’s Brew, Katipunan, Monkey Eagle, Nipa, Pedro, and The Laughing Carabao. They have up to 20 breweries in their arsenal. It’s a kingly selection, to be sure.

They exhort their customers to open their mouths to the wonderful world of craft beers. How could you resist?

To order from the kings, send them an email at hellocraftbeers@thepck.ph or call +63 927 533 9883.

Elias Wicked Ales & Spirits

Raoul Masangcay shut down the Elias breweries in Quezon City and Parañaque to observe the rules pertaining to the COVID-19 lockdown. But he did not stop operations. Instead, the craft brewery started brewing a different kind of alcohol – 70% ethyl alcohol.

Two batches were distributed to PGH, Marcelo Padilla Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila, Ospital ng Makati, and Lifeline Parañaque.

Elias itself is a festive microbrewery with a distinct personality, built for non-traditional brewing styles. Their beers inspired by Filipino flavors and push boundaries with methods and experimental ingredients. Inasmuch as it was a distinct pleasure to visit the bars, it’s even more fantastic now, knowing that the microbrewery extended a helping hand to our frontliners.

Elias offers takeout and pick-up. Get the beer with a conscience here.

Turning Wheels Brewery

They say that the best product is created to turn a hater into a brand ambassador. If this is the case, then Turning Wheels is up there as one of the best craft beers available locally.

It’s head brewer, Michael Nikkel, had a change of heart about his attitude towards beer once he had his first taste of craft beer. The Cebu-based avid cyclist then developed the brew that he thinks is a delicious respite after a great ride. In fact, Nikkel also produces homebrew kits, to help people brew beer in the comfort of their own homes.

Cebuanos, pick up your beer by messaging through Turning Wheels’ Facebook page.

Baguio Craft Brewery

Not to be undone, Baguio has given birth to its very own expert brewery with 18 taps. The owner, Christopher Ordas, began brewing beer in his garage way back in Canada. He also picked up brewing styles from Munich, Prague, and San Diego. The chilly freshness of the City of Pines is perfect for BCB’s ales. Their bar food is pretty awesome too. When the lockdown is over, a trip to Baguio is in order – not just to escape the blistering heat of Metro Manila, but also to check out the hipsterrific wooden tables and rustic bar setup.

For now, order a meal (only available in Baguio at the moment) and a beer (now available in NCR as well), turn the AC up, and dream of the pine-scented chill only Baguio can offer.

Grab your BCB in NCR! Their Facebook page has complete details of where to call based on your address.

Notable Mentions

Let’s not leave out the up-and-coming breweries that are making quite the splash in the scene.

Mitchell’s Backyard Brewery has already won the Asia Beer Championship silver medal for its American Sunrise Pale Ale. They pride themselves on quality, honesty, and passion in every bottle. Now, since 2020 really ought to be #cancelled, what’s the harm in looking far into the future, like towards Christmas? (With the hopes that we can celebrate safely and out of the four walls of our homes!) We’re looking at Mitchell’s Christmas beer to pair with our Noche Buena. The malted barley and cinnamon notes will usher in the joy of the season, no doubt.

Get your Mitchell’s Beer here.

Marc’s and Tony Brewing Co. is most known for its New England-style IPAs. The brand plays with fruits and flowers for something truly unique. The Nano craft brewery is named after the three sons of Tony – Marco, Marcus, and Mareck. Try them out for fun, fresh, and flavorful beers that infuse all sorts of playful ingredients – from hibiscus flowers to chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth, you won’t go wrong with this combination.

Check out their mouth-watering array of beers here.

Craft beer has turned into a phenomenon over the past few years, resulting to over 70 microbrewers in the Philippines. And for Araneta, the time has come for him to “let other people do it and pass the torch.” It might also do some good to heed his words during these times: when things are murky, simplify your life, your business, your processes.

Now, which craft beer will you drink today?

***Deliveries can only be made in areas where there is no liquor ban.