Microbreweries you have to visit in and around Metro Manila
Photo from Papa Bolo/Instagram
Believe it or not, beer is a big deal in the Philippines. You might have seen your titas and titos sport the classic brown beer bottle during family events, but how did beer get so popular in the Philippines?
Drinking culture has always been big in the Philippines. Our pre-colonial ancestors drank fermented coconut wine, which created a drinking culture that exists to this day. While the liquor of choice has differed throughout decades, the introduction of beer over a hundred years ago changed the game.
Since then, beer has been an important part of Filipino culture. There’s even a song by OPM band Itchyworms literally called “Beer.” It’s a constant companion during celebrations and after-work gatherings, and its following and the passion for it have only grown since.
Like in many American cities, microbreweries serving up small-batch, artisan-crafted beers are popular in the Philippines—specifically, in and around Metro Manila. Here are some microbreweries you should visit when you come to the Philippines.
Papa Bolo
Papa Bolo is a brewery and restaurant located along the scenic Tagaytay-Nasugbu highway, about an hour or two away from the capital. They sell a variety of beers crafted in-house, with some types inspired by Filipino ingredients. The brewery’s bestselling beer comes in the form of a pale ale called Piña Niña. It’s made with Tagaytay pineapples and Australian and German malts and hops for a refreshingly sour brew. Aside from being a brewery, Papa Bolo also makes some excellent bar chow.
The menu was created by the chefs of Lampara, an acclaimed modern Filipino restaurant in Poblacion, Makati. There’s no central cuisine or theme when it comes to their food, but all their bites go dangerously well with their beers.
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El Deposito
If you’d rather not drive an hour away from the city for a frosty glass of beer, El Deposito has two locations to choose from. El Deposito is a brewery and tap room with locations in San Juan and Quezon City. The San Juan location has an al fresco seating area and is perfect for relaxing afternoons over a bottle of beer.
They currently have two flavors on tap, which are the pale ale and the pilsner. The Quezon City location is bigger and boasts more flavors, like the ube macapuno ale, white coffee stout, and the green buko pandan ale—which is actually a bright shade of green).
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Elias Wicked Ales and Spirits
Elias Wicked Ales and Spirits is another microbrewery located in Metro Manila. The Quezon City brewery has won awards for its concoctions at the Asia Beer Championships, specifically for their Proppa Pale Ale and Lost in Japan varieties. Aside from beer, the brewery also has a large selection of hard ciders, like the Astig Mango, Hanep Guyabano, and the Rosé Rizal. Elias also hosts different types of events depending on the date or season, like an OPM acoustic night, open mic night, and even a dad’s night out.
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