While some beer lovers identify with the familiar bitter, tart kick of beer, others like to explore different flavors. Thus, in order to please the tastebuds of a broader range of people, breweries were propelled to create flavored beers that are more palatable than regular beers.
Want to try them but unsure where to start? We collaborated with Japanese craft beer brewer Manabu Sato to create a buying guide for flavored beer to help you get started! Make sure to check our top 10 list, too, to discover our best flavored beer recommendations.
Quick List - Top Flavored Beers
Manabu Sato is the representative of KEY CORPORATION Caghiya Brewery and the owner of Cafe Club Key. Born in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, after graduating from university, Manabu studied abroad in England, where he discovered British pub culture. Inspired by the sense of community, where men and women of all ages gather, after returning to Japan in 2017, Manabu opened Caghiya Brewery in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, where he now brews his original craft beers. He also launched the Craft Beer Association and now hosts beer-related events in Kawasaki in an effort to help spread craft beer culture in Japan.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Yes, there is definitely a huge difference! Simply put, a flavored beer is your usual beer but with added flavored syrup or infused with fruits. These are typically produced by commercial breweries. Many young adults and women find flavored beers their "gateway" to drinking because they are generally sweet and easy to drink.
Craft beers, on the other hand, are made by independently-owned breweries. Craft beers are also characterized by their distinct and delightful flavors and aromas. There's no shortcut to making craft beer; think beer-making from scratch. Craft beers are considered an art form for independent brewers.
The term 'flavored beer' refers to a beverage that has been infused with fragrances or flavors using ingredients such as fruits and herbs. While the process of making the base beer remains the same, the significant difference from craft beer, as mentioned earlier, lies in the use of adjunct ingredients (fruits and herbs) in addition to malt, hops, and water.
Flavored beer has emerged as a popular choice among beer enthusiasts and newcomers alike, offering a refreshing twist to traditional brews. If you're looking to explore the world of flavored beer in the Philippines, this guide will help you navigate the diverse options available
For individuals who are not fond of the distinct hop bitterness in beer, flavored beer provides an easier drinking experience by incorporating sweetness and additional flavors to mitigate the bitterness.
Flavored beers come in many unique and exciting brews. From fruits to spices and herbs, flavored beers offer a wide range of options to suit various palates. Experimentation is key to finding the flavors that resonate with you.
The most popular flavors that appeal to the taste of many Filipinos are fruit-flavored ones like apple, lemon, lychee, and more, as they are usually light and refreshing. They are also easy to pair with snacks or pulutan, whether you want to have them with nuts, chips, ulam, or even cheese!
Flavored beer offers familiar aromas, reduced bitterness, and tastes reminiscent of juice, soft drinks, or cocktails. It appeals to those unaccustomed to hop aromas or beer's distinct bitterness, making it a great choice for beer beginners. Citrus flavors, with their refreshing acidity, are especially suitable for the hot climate in the Philippines!
In order to know how strong the flavored beer's kick is, check its ABV or alcohol by volume. It determines the amount of alcohol in the flavored beer. If you're a light drinker, try beers with 3% or less alcohol content first.
Although flavored beers may seem "less" and easier to down than regular beer, it's worth noting that their alcohol content doesn't really stray far from each other. Craft beer brewer Manabu Sato states that different breweries have 5% as the standard alcohol content, so it is recommended to explore lower or higher percentages to find the perfect match.
Flavored beers typically have an alcohol content ranging from 3% to 5%, with fewer options in the 6% to 8% range, which is more common for craft beers.
For a foolproof choice, you can always try flavored beers from popular brands like San Miguel. There’s a variety of flavors to choose from, including lychee, lemon, and apple, and they are also widely available in different groceries and even in your local sari-sari store!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flavor | Alcohol Percentage | Volume | |||||
1 | San Miguel Beer Flavored Beer - Lemon | ![]() | Citrusy Beer to Let You Cool Down | Lemon | 3% | 330 mL | |
2 | Hoegaarden Rosée | ![]() | A Rose-Colored Beer That’s Perfect as a Lady’s Drink | Raspberry | 3% | 750 mL | |
3 | Magners Original Irish Cider Beer - Apple | ![]() | A Refreshing Beer Made of 17 Varieties of Apples | Apple Cider | 4.5% | 330 mL | |
4 | Leffe Leffe Brune | ![]() | Has Just the Perfect Balance of Bitter Taste and Caramel Notes | Caramel | 6.5% | 330 mL | |
5 | Hoegaarden Peach Beer | ![]() | A Peachy and Fruity Beer for Light Drinkers | Peach | 3% | 500 mL | |
6 | San Miguel Beer San Miguel Flavored Beer - Lychee | ![]() | A Sweeter Twist to the Classic Taste | Lychee | 3% | 330 mL | |
7 | Brew Kettle Original Beer | ![]() | Aromatic Orange Spice Taste That Pairs Well With Seafood | Hint of Orange Spice | 5% | 330 mL | |
8 | Hoegaarden White Beer | ![]() | Citrus and Chocolate Combo for the Adventurous Drinkers | Hints of Coriander, Orange, and Wheat | 4.9% | 330 mL | |
9 | Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Flavored Beer | ![]() | Medium-Bodied Beer That Complements Seafood and Barbecue | Grapefruit | 2.5% | 500 mL | |
10 | Happy Hour! Salted Caramel Flavored Beer | ![]() | Sweet Caramel Beer for Your Chill-Numan Nights | Salted Caramel | 5% | 330 mL |
San Miguel braved the storm of competition and crafted what is to be named the first and best fruit-flavored of their brand of beers. As first among the other flavor bases, this lemon brew is quirky, imaginative, and uniquely San Mig. It adds a citrusy twist to the refreshing beer!
It is also sweet and easy to drink, so everyone can easily enjoy it. Just make sure to serve it chilled! It can be your go-to drink if you want to unwind after a long day or destress. It only has a 3% alcohol percentage, so it's just enough to give you a light buzz.
Flavor | Lemon |
---|---|
Alcohol Percentage | 3% |
Volume | 330 mL |
With its delicate pink to light orange hue, you're bound to get intrigued with this beer. You may even think it's rose wine, but don't be fooled, as it is a wheat beer! It possesses the same body as the original Hoegaarden wheat beer that we came to love, but it's infused with raspberry, giving it a unique hue and fruity aroma.
Taste-wise, it has a naturally soft and sweet flavor with subtle hints of spice and coriander that are sure to get you hooked. It also comes with only 3% alcohol and leaves no bitter aftertaste, so it is a perfect drink for the ladies who just want to relax and cap off their day.
Flavor | Raspberry |
---|---|
Alcohol Percentage | 3% |
Volume | 750 mL |
If you're done with super sweet beer taste and want to move on to more tangy ones, you have come to the right place. Magners Original Irish Cider Beer Apple is made of 17 varieties of apples grown from Irish orchards and local farms. Meticulously cherry-picking only the ripest and juiciest apples, this beer is crafted and vat-matured for as long as two years.
Its pure, crisp, and refreshing flavor with natural character is something you owe their master tasters, who constantly check the brewing process to ensure that every sip you take is as marvelous as the last. With 4.5% alcohol content, you can pour your heart out to friends and confidants with this beer bottle.
Flavor | Apple Cider |
---|---|
Alcohol Percentage | 4.5% |
Volume | 330 mL |
This one is a great place to start for those who are not necessarily looking for overly fruity or sweet beers. It has just the perfect balance of bitter and sweet taste, so you can still savor the real taste of beer. It is combined with subtle caramel and roasted notes from dark malts, so it tastes sweet at the start and slightly bitter at the end.
Given that flavor profile, it is perfect to be paired with aperitif snacks or cheese when you're drinking with friends. You can also have it alongside spicy, sweet, and sour dishes. However, since it has 6.5% alcohol content, you might want to slow down with this drink.
Flavor | Caramel |
---|---|
Alcohol Percentage | 6.5% |
Volume | 330 mL |
This beer by Hoegaarden is another treat for those who have just started to drink and cannot stomach the taste of regular beer yet. To give it flavor, this wheat beer is joined with fresh juice extracts of Baby Gold and Catherine peaches from Europe.
As a result, it possesses a light and fruity taste, making it a perfect beer to drink during the summer! It's also ideal for light drinkers who just want a light buzz since it only has a 3% alcohol content. Another thing you'll love about it? It complements various meals!
Flavor | Peach |
---|---|
Alcohol Percentage | 3% |
Volume | 500 mL |
If you're not into sour flavors and the citrusy counterpart makes you cringe in its sourness, worry not, as lychee is here to tickle your sweet tooth! Compared to the lemon one, this one is sweeter, perfect for those who like their beverage sweet.
This flavored beer is also ideal for those just starting to drink. Its fruity taste is a welcomed twist to the qualities of a beer, making it smooth, light, and easy to drink. Like the lemon counterpart, it also has a low alcohol content, so you can chug it casually after a stressful day at work!
Flavor | Lychee |
---|---|
Alcohol Percentage | 3% |
Volume | 330 mL |
If you want to divert away from the usual beer, give this one a try. This traditional Belgian lager will transport you to the taverns of Belgium in the 14th century. It has been masterfully crafted with only the premium ingredients from the soils of Belgium itself, and it underwent a brewing process that dates back to medieval times.
Flavor-wise, it has a naturally aromatic orange spice flavor that can pair perfectly with seafood dishes and grilled poultry. At first sip, you can taste its light citrus notes, but you can also savor a bitter aftertaste. It comes with a 5% alcohol content, and it's said to be a tad bit higher
than Pale Pilsen.
Flavor | Hint of Orange Spice |
---|---|
Alcohol Percentage | 5% |
Volume | 330 mL |
For the ever-so adventurous beer drinkers out there, here is a Belgian White for your thirst-quenching past times. Rightly called white by its creators, this beer of 4.9% alcohol content with a subtle hint of chocolate is a product of half a century's hard work, dedication, and commitment to bringing the best beer to the table.
With the addition of orange peel essences, coriander, and other herbs imported from Curacao, this beer spells nothing but sunshine over your beer mugs. Its citrusy taste with a hint of chocolate will surely lure more and more beer lovers to this cult classic.
Flavor | Hints of Coriander, Orange, and Wheat |
---|---|
Alcohol Percentage | 4.9% |
Volume | 330 mL |
Brewed with fresh grapefruit juice, you can expect this wheat beer has a crisp mouthfeel and citrusy taste. Overall, this medium-bodied beer contains a 50-50 ratio of beer and juice, which is what makes it different from others. It delivers a balanced taste of wheat and grapefruit, making it easy to drink.
With only 2.5% alcohol content, you can drink this if you crave something refreshing to beat the heat. You can also sip and enjoy this with various types of food. However, it’s worth noting that its zesty flavor profile pairs best with seafood and smoked, grilled meats.
Flavor | Grapefruit |
---|---|
Alcohol Percentage | 2.5% |
Volume | 500 mL |
Coming from a brand known for curating exciting and unique beer flavors to expand the palate of curious drinkers, you can guarantee that this beer is everything but ordinary! This particular Salted Caramel beer, just like its name, leans on the sweeter side.
With that said, it's an excellent choice for those who do not like the taste of beer. What you'll love most about this is that, even though it may seem too much, its flavor is not overwhelming. Moreover, it has 5% alcohol, just enough to get you a little tipsy during chill-numan with friends.
Flavor | Salted Caramel |
---|---|
Alcohol Percentage | 5% |
Volume | 330 mL |
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Yes, all beers, whether flavored, craft, or your usual one can make you drunk. So do remember to check the ABV of any alcoholic drink first!
No, the root beer we are all familiar with is not a flavored beer. Instead, it's a soft drink that is sweet and carbonated. Unlike flavored beer, it's not alcoholic as well. The only similarity the two share is their thick and foamy head.
This will depend on the flavored beer itself, so best to check the label!
To make your drinking session with friends even more fun and enjoyable, why not test your competitiveness and play some games? Check out the links below featuring various drinking games and board games that you can use for your next drinking sesh!
Re-editor: R. Victoriano
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: San Miguel Beer|Flavored Beer - Lemon
No. 2: Hoegaarden|Rosée
No. 3: Magners |Original Irish Cider Beer - Apple
No. 4: Leffe |Leffe Brune
No. 5: Hoegaarden|Peach Beer
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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