6 Places in Luzon to Enjoy Local Craft Beers

After a day of adventure, nothing beats a bottle of ice-cold beer. But some beers are just better than others. The craft beer scene in the Philippines is alive and kicking, with unique homegrown microbreweries opening up everywhere.

Here are a few destinations in Luzon (there are more in Visayas and Mindanao) where you can enjoy locally made craft beer.

Baguio Craft Brewery

Baguio City is known for its cooler climate, rich culture and vibrant food scene, which has made it a favorite summer and weekend destination. If you’ve already done the rounds at Burnham Park, hunted for bargain finds and enjoyed strawberry taho, how about sampling some Strawberry Beer at night? One of the trendiest places to grab a drink in the City of Pines is Baguio Craft Brewery.

Formally launched in June 2014, this Baguio-based brewery serves a wide range of fresh, handcrafted beers including Strawberry beer. Their flagship ales named and inspired by the Five Realms of Ifugao Mythology, namely Pugaw India Pale Ale, Dalom Brown Ale, Daya Lager, Lagud Strawberry Beer and Kabunyan Wheat Beer. They also have a lot of other beer styles including Zigzagger, Englishman in New York, Message in a Bottle, Kraken Baltic Porter, Rolling Fog Wheat Ale, Ida Raspberry Beer and RIPE Passion Fruit Beer.

Where to try it: The Tasting Room at Baguio Craft Brewery. RKC Building, 120 Marcos Highway, Km 4 (Ben Palispis Highway), Baguio City, Benguet, Philippines. Some beers are also available in Metro Manila at The Perfect Pint, Big Bad Wolf, The Bottle Shop, Global Beer Exchange, Sugar Ray’s, and Los Indios Bravos Boracay.

Pinatubo Craft Brewery

Located in between Pampanga, Zambales and Tarlac, Mt. Pinatubo is known as one of the most destructive volcanoes in the Philippines. Hiking the volcano has become a popular activity for weekend warriors because of its proximity to Manila. But did you know that there’s a local craft beer named after it?

Launched in 2015 by Filipinos under German consultancy, Pinatubo Craft Beer is the only microbrewery in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Their explosive beer line includes Pinatubo Craft Dark Angel, Pinatubo Craft Crown Lager, Pinatubo Craft Golden Nectar, Pinatubo Craft Twister Ale, Pinatubo Craft Sunrise Wheat and Pinatubo Craft Brainstorm IPA.

Where to try it: Pinatubo Brewing Point Snackhouse is located in 355 Yukon St., Riverside Subd., Anunas, Angeles City. In Manila, the beer is also available at Fred’s Revolucion, Habanero Kitchen Bar, Sigs Smokehouse, Conspiracy Bar and Food Centrale Park in Malamig St., Quezon City.

Cerveza Sagada

Sagada has boomed in popularity with backpackers and adventure enthusiasts visiting caves, Hanging Coffins, and enjoying the view at Kiltepan Peak. Now, you can add drinking good beer to your list of things to do here.

Cerveza Sagada, which can be found in Sagada Cellar Door, is Sagada’s first homemade craft beer, which are infused with local ingredients. Beer variants include Amber Ale, Brown Ale and Gusi Violet Ale, which is brewed with violet mountain rice. Aside from the homemade brews, Sagada Cellar Door also sells imported wine and beers.

Where to try it: Sagada Cellar Door, Wine Cellar and Beer Bar, Lallalai, Sagada (right above Sagada Pottery), Mountain Province, Philippines. Bottled variants are also available at The Bottle Shop in The Fort and Magallanes.

Crazy Carabao

The historic province of Laguna is known for its waterfalls, lakes and hot spring resorts. This popular weekend getaway is also home to Crazy Carabao Brewing Co. (CCB), which aims to deliver the freshest and finest locally made boutique beers to quality establishments.

Launched in late 2015, the Laguna-based brewery has 4 flagship beers: Tarsier Wheat Beer, Tuff Tuko Pale Ale, Kalinga Kolsch and Exit Wounds IPA which feature interesting trivia about Philippine culture and icons. They aren’t open for public walk-ins yet, but can accommodate groups who would like to tour the brewery (prior coordination required).

Where to try it: Crazy Carabao Brewery is located in Building 14, Daystar Sta Roza Industrial Park, Pulong Sta Cruz, Sta Rosa, Laguna. The beers are available in selected bars including Global Beer Exchange’s The Bottle Shop in The Fort and Magallanes, Coral Beach Club, Matabungkay and The Bar at Peninsula Manila.

For inquiries, call them at +63917-8420969, or email brad.hannam@hopheadsinc.com.

Baler Brewing Co.

Baler, the capitol town of Aurora province, is known as a surfer’s paradise with surf shops on Sabang beach catering to the novice and the seasoned surfer. One of the most famous establishments here is Charlie Does, named after the memorable line “Charlie don’t surf” in the 1979 war film Apocalypse Now, which was filmed in Baler.

After riding the waves during the day, get a taste of Aurora’s first craft beer! Launched in February 2016, Baler Brewing Co. currently serves Baler Brew, a refreshing Honey Wheat Beer on draft.

Where to try it: Baler Brewing Co. beers are available on draft at Charlie Does Surf Shop in Baler, Aurora. They recently opened Charlie Does Manila, a cafe and brewery in Arnaiz Ave.

Palaweño Brewery

Palawan is an island province in the Philippines, known for its beautiful beaches and natural attractions, including rich coral reefs for diving and the Underground River. Your days will probably be spent basking in the sun, snorkeling and island-hopping.

At night, be sure to check out the homegrown restaurants and bars including Palaweño Brewery, a microbrewery born and brewed in Puerto Princesa.

Founded in 2013, the brewery is dubbed “the Last Frontier’s only craft beer. Their line of craft beers are named “Ayahay” which means relaxed, perfectly capturing the laid-back style of the island and the beers. Beer variants include Ambog Ale (American Amber Ale), Palawan Wit Belgian Wheat Beer, Palaw’an Honey Kolsch, Ayahay IPA, Hunter Honey Nut Brown Ale and Mango de Palawan (seasonal), to name a few.

Where to try it: Palaweno Brewery offers a Microbrewery Tour in their bar in Palawan located in 82 Manalo Street, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines 5300. The beer is also sold in several establishments in Palawan and Metro Manila, including Global Beer Exchange’s The Bottle Shop, The Perfect Pint and Gilmore Wines & Spirits.