Suds Magazine

My 2011 Craft Beer Tour of The Philippines took me to Metro Manila and Bacolod City. The trip also allowed me time to finish up some much needed dental work with my new and highly recommended dentist in Manila.

Manila's Main Financial District of Makati, also the Craft Beer Hub of The Philippines

Jim Araneta and the Global Beer Exchange are responsible for importing and marketing several craft beer brands from the USA and Japan in the Philippines. We visited The Tasting Room at Greystone Gallery and the new Tasting Corner at Craft Pub & Grill. The Tasting Room is now closed and all of Global Beer Exhcange’s craft beer selection can be found at Craft Pub & Grill in The Fort.

On my trip to Bacolod, I spent a day with Felix (Bogs) Hagad who is brewer and owner of Bogs Brew (Negros Island Craft Beer). Bogs brews a couple styles of beers using local organic ingredients where possible. Bogs Brew is also available win Manila at PenPen Restaurant in Cubao X.

Pairing some Cassava Cake and Bogs Brew in Bacolod

Another highlight of my 2011 trip was my time spent with Allan Agala of Great Island Craft Brewery. Allan is brewing craft beers from his house in Paranaque and hopefully soon will be going commercial and distributing his fine brews around the Metro Manila area.

Another craft brewery doing good things in Manila is Pivo Praha in Makati. Pivo brews Czech style beers and distributes to various places in the Metro Manila area including one of my favorite spots, The Hobbit House! If you are in Makati, stop by Bravo Best Foods and try some of their beers on tap with some pizza! They are located near Makati City Hall at 1331 Angono St.

I had a nice surprise visit to G Point Bar in Malate where owner Morgan is planning to open his own brewery and serve a couple taps of his beer on draft in his pub. He has a second location in Tagaytay. He currently offers a selection of imported beers from Europe and hopes to also have a draft offering from Great Island Craft Brewery when they are up and running. Check them out on Facebook! It’s one of the funnest bars around.

G Point Smorgasbord Bar in Manila is soon brewing its own craft beer.

Suds Magazine also attended opening night at The Beer Gallery, a small intimate venue in a very hip Makati location. The Beer Gallery is located inside The Offbeat Cafe in a place called The Collection. This is a must visit place pairing up craft beer, Imported European beers and some pretty eclectic food options. Check them out on Facebook!

Another mover and shaker in the beer business in The Philippines is Mags Villafuerte from Gilmore Wines and Spirits. Mags offers one of the largest selections of beers in the country for retail and wholesale trade. The offerings include craft beers from The U.S.A. and Japan as well as numerous imports from all over the world. Gilmore distributes to bars and restaurants all over The Philippines along with its retail operation in Quezon City.

We visited a number of other locations in the Metro Manila area that offered up some great craft beer. Some great food pairings at The Balcony Gastropub in Makati was a highlight as was the 100+ bottle selection at Beers Paradise. For an up to date listing of restaurants offering craft beer in The Philippines, contact The Global Beer Exchange.

Enjoying a Stone Brewing Oaked Arrogant Bastard at Mr. Jones in Makati.

Enjoy Manila and the rest of The Philippines and rest assured that you’ll not have to go without great craft beer while you are there!