There is nothing like relaxing with a cold one at the end of a long, tiring day. The fizz and pop from opening a bottle of beer is always a great sign of good times ahead. With the multitude of options out in the craft beer market today, choosing a beer for your next purchase is definitely a good problem to have.
Whether you are looking for malty, chocolatey flavors or prefer a sweet fruity taste, there is a beer out there for you. Let us help you narrow down your options with our buying guide. We've also rounded up the 10 best craft beers in the Philippines worth checking out.
Quick List - Top Craft Beers
Crazy Carabao Brewing Co.
Crisp Beer Taste for the No-Nonsense Kind of Guy
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.
At their core, all beer is made from grains, hops, yeast, and water regardless if it is craft or industrial. But, craft beer is produced by an independent brewery. A craft beer brewery often produces small amounts of beer and handpick the ingredients ranging from barley to wheat, corn, and oats.
They use different brewing techniques and are generally focused on new flavors. Some even make seasonal batches! On the other hand, industrial beers are produced in bulk and leave no room for experimentation.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Ale, IPA, pilsner- what do these terms even mean? It is helpful to know the basics to help you narrow down your beer choice. All beers typically fall into two types - ale or lager - depending on the yeast used. Let’s go deeper and find out the different styles popular today.
Lagers are slowly fermented with bottom-fermenting yeast and at a colder temperature. Thus, fermentation can take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks. The result is a mellow and smooth beer that typically has more fermentation.
This is a great choice for beginners, as the yeast used yields a lower alcohol content. The resulting taste is often light and malty. The most popular beers available worldwide are lagersー think Coors and Budweiser.
Pilsners are a type of lager that is light-colored. They are known to be a perfect summer beer as they have a lighter beer taste that is easy to drink. They also have great balanced flavors of sweetness, bitterness, and spice.
They have a fragrant aroma, a hint of bitter flavors, and strong hops that are balanced with a softer malt. Make sure to drink this ice-cold for it to surely quench your thirst!
The sweet, fruity flavors from ales have much to do with the fermentation process. Since it uses a faster and more aggressive fermentation, a sweeter flavor comes from the esters that come from the ale. Esters come from the reactions of organic acids and alcohols during the fermentation process.
Choose a pale ale or golden or blonde ale if you are looking for citrusy flavors and an IPA or Indian pale ale for a bitter taste. If you want an even hoppier style and an alcohol content higher than 7.5%, go for a double IPA.
Wheat beer is a type of ale that has a silky texture and pronounced sweetness. It is made up of at least 50% wheat, resulting in a light and refreshing brew. Some variants have aromas of bananas or even bubble gum. The intense sweetness makes for a pleasurable drinking experience.
They are usually cloudy due to the top-fermenting ale yeast used in its brewing. Expect fruity and spicy flavors from your wheat beer. It is a full-bodied beer that could remind you of freshly-baked bread. This is great to pair with your favorite fruit pie dessert!
These dark beers are ales with nutty and roasted flavors. If you are a fan of dark chocolate or black coffee, this might be right up your alley. It has that full-bodied sweetness with a hint of bitterness.
This is a warm and cozy drink that is perfect for cold nights. Its color ranges from dark brown to almost black. The dark malt profile leaves little to no carbonation, perfect for those who are not fans of beer fizz.
If you want to know how strong a kick your bottle of beer holds, better check its ABV or alcohol by volume content. This figure basically measures the amount of alcohol present in your drink. A higher ABV gets you drunk faster and usually packs more flavor.
A bottle of beer’s ABV averages 4.5%, although there has been a beer produced with a 67.5% ABV. For comparison, a bottle of soju usually has 20% ABV, while wine averages 12%. A scotch whisky, on the other hand, is usually at 40%. So, choose your ABV wisely.
Still having a hard time choosing the beer for you? A lot of microbreweries of local beers in the Philippines offer sampler packs that allow you to taste the range of flavors they have to offer. This can also help you get to know the microbrewery and give you an insight into their house flavor style.
Sampler packs can range from 4 bottles to as many as 8. You can plan a beer flight where you can go from the light-colored ones and work your way down to the darker-colored ones. This can make for a fun night of exploring the world of beer.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Engkanto Double IPA|4-Pack | ![]() | A Burst of Punchy, Citrus Notes for Any Kind of Meal | |
2 | Nipa Brew Drop Zone|4-Pack | ![]() | A Dark Ale for Cold Rainy Nights | |
3 | Crazy Carabao Brewing Co. Pilsner Craftbeer|1 Bottle | ![]() | Crisp Beer Taste for the No-Nonsense Kind of Guy | |
4 | Monkey Eagle Brew Potion 28 | ![]() | A Beer as Bold and Natural as Your Date Night | |
5 | The Philippine Craft Kings Freedom 4 Pack | ![]() | The Perfect Gift for Any Party | |
6 | Boondocks Wheat Ale | ![]() | Naturally Sweetened and 100% Non-Artificial | |
7 | Elias Wicked Ales & Spirits Dark Vader Stout | ![]() | A Unique Experience for Traditional Folk | |
8 | Joe's Brew Sun Sweeper Craftbeer | ![]() | Beer for the Sophisticated Millenial | |
9 | Jade's Temple The Weekend Bundle | ![]() | A Variety of Beer to Kickstart Your Weekend | |
10 | The Best PCK You've Ever Had|24-Pack | ![]() | Made for a Diverse (And Picky) Crowd |
This offering from Engkanto is refreshing with its citrus flavors. It has a smooth mouthfeel that makes you forget that its alcohol content is higher than most beers. You can also find caramel undertones that perfectly complement its sweet citrusy notes. It is an easy-to-drink beer that makes you dream of the beach.
This double IPA is the perfect companion for cheeseburgers or pizza. Or if you are deep into a KDrama binge, it will go great with fried chicken and a shot of soju. It's also the perfect drink to share on your next get-together with friends. Basically, it’s a beer that perfectly matches with every meal!
This beer feels like a warm hug on a cold night. It has pronounced flavors of dark chocolate, toasted caramel, and roasted nutty notes. It goes down smoothly, almost comforting. Each sip brings a subtle sweetness with a soft kick. When you've had an especially long day, this is perfect to pair with desserts like a slice of your favorite gooey chocolate cake or a light tiramisu.
You can even whip this out along with caramel popcorn for binge-watching nights! Even on days when you just want to enjoy your beer, regardless of the time, this bottle fits the bill. They do say it's always 5:30 somewhere, and this is a great choice for beer o'clock.
There are days when you want something straightforward - a beer with no frills. This pilsner from Crazy Carabao is crisp and clean, like a perfectly pressed polo shirt on your first day of school. It is simple and unassuming, a beer that is easy to enjoy.
Keep it refrigerated - or maybe enjoy it below zero - for that smooth, refreshing taste! This is easy to pair with your pulutan of choice - from adobong mani to greasy chicharon bulaklak. The low alcohol content is also great for beginners wanting to explore the world of craft beer in the Philippines.
Preparing for date night with a steak dinner and a cheese charcuterie board to boot? You can opt to skip the wine and pop open bottles of beer instead. This craft beer from Tagaytay might just make you fall in love again with your partner. Its alcohol content is a tad higher than other local beers in the Philippines, but who's stopping you from drinking all night on your date?
This IPA is bold, earthy, and full-bodied. You may expect intense hop flavors that give way to a toasty malt with each sip. Its finish is medium-dry and is great when chased with a bite of cheese. Who says beers can't be romantic?
Are you having a hard time deciding which beer suits you best? Or maybe you just want to try as many styles as you want? The Freedom Pack gives you a range of styles and flavors that can suit your taste at the moment. You can also opt to sample each beer side by side to compare.
The different ales offered give you a rough idea of what each microbrewery can do. It can also help you define which style you love the most. Experimenting with food pairing options is also another great activity you can do with friends with this pack. It’s also the perfect contribution for your inuman sessions!
Naturally sweetened with locally sourced dalandan, this wheat ale is a delight for your tastebuds. The liquid has the cloudy consistency of wheat beer. The taste is crisp and highlighted with citrus notes that make it refreshing. This is a drink that is easy to enjoy during those hot summer nights, preferably by the beach.
No sugar was added in the brewing process, making it a great option for those who are watching their weight. The sweetness comes naturally from the dalandan that they use. This makes this wheat ale a great companion to your favorite sisig!
Darth Vader is a man of many talents—he's a general, a Jedi master, and he can even fly an X-wing. But what if you're not such a great pilot? And what if you don't want to be a Jedi master? Well, if you're looking for a way to channel your inner Darth Vader without having to actually be Darth Vader, look no further than Dark Vader Stout!
This traditional American stout is surprisingly smooth and easy to drink with very little bitterness, so if you prefer stronger flavors in your beer, this might be just what you're looking for. The fruity overtones highlight the malt richness with flavors of chocolate, caramel, and coffee. This beer will let you feel like the power of the dark side without all the hassleーand with much fewer midichlorians.
This is not the craft beer for beginners. The complex flavors from this brew require a bit of getting to know before you can fully appreciate it. It has a medium amber color with aromas of malt, hops, and fresh fruit. In the mouth, you can taste flavors of pine and spice, leaning more on the bitter side.
This is definitely not the nightly beer your tito drinks - there is more to unpack here in terms of flavor. This is an earthy brew that might surprise you, and is perfect for those who want to explore the flavors that local craft beer in Makati has to offer.
They say that variety is the spice of life, but we think it's just a good way to confuse your taste buds. We're not here to judge though—we're just here to get you what you want: beer. And if you want variety, then look no further than The Weekend Bundle from Jade's Temple Brewery!
This bundle includes four of their best-selling lagers: toasted mallows, salted caramel, mango, and cookie dough. Each one has its own unique flavor profile and distinct taste, so you can try something new every weekend without having to switch beers mid-drink (that would be terrible).
The great thing about local beer in the Philippines is that it is an affordable drink that you can easily enjoy alone or with friends. This 24-pack offering gives you a taste of everything - no need to stress over which bottle to begin your journey with. It has a great variety of choices from different microbreweries, giving you an idea of their respective house styles.
This is a great option for intimate gatherings with your closest of friends. There would definitely be something for everyone from this bundle. Host a beer flight party at home, and surprise your guests with the diverse craft beer culture our country has to offer.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
For many beers, it’s best to keep them refrigerated. It’s especially required for many craft beers and draft beers. Keeping them non-refrigerated will accelerate the beer’s aging and will develop off flavors.
In recent years, no other style of beer has been redefined as much or argued over so often as this one. But, IPA is a category of pale ale and it is also a popular beer style that craft beer breweries make. This has led it to become synonymous with craft beer for many people.
You might ask “what makes a beer a craft beer”? Unlike traditional beer, which is made with malted barley or other grains and hops, often added for distinctiveness, craft brewers often experiment with hand-picked ingredients to achieve the unique flavors of craft beers.
Ready to let your hair down and give yourself a treat after a stressful week? Drinking at home can be much more fun with the help of these options worth checking out.
Author: Laura Mercado
Re-editor: Mikel Tadeje
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. 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: Engkanto |Double IPA|4-Pack
No. 2: Nipa Brew |Drop Zone|4-Pack
No. 3: Crazy Carabao Brewing Co. |Pilsner Craftbeer|1 Bottle
No. 4: Monkey Eagle Brew |Potion 28
No. 5: The Philippine Craft Kings |Freedom 4 Pack
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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