3. Fat Pauly’s Hand-Crafted Ales and Lagers
Paul Stuart del Rosario used to hang out in a small tavern called Beers Paradise in Polaris, Makati. For more than a week, he frequented the place with his brother, learned more about beer culture, and trained their palates on different brews. He soon found himself collecting beer bottles and stepped up the challenge by making his first batch of homebrewed beers in April 2010.
The genius behind Fat Pauly’s, Paul Stewart Del Rosario
Fat Pauly’s Hand-Crafted Ales and Lagers is inspired by baselines of traditional recipes. This, however, does not mean that their profiles are conventional. According to Paul, their finest brew-grade ingredients are sourced from Germany, Belgium, and U.S. They are combined with ingredients that are available locally, such as strawberries, lime, mangrove barks, wild honey, and even natural spring water. From what he uses with his beers, he surely did not seem to be kidding when he said that he is making anything except boring beers.
My favorite from Fat Pauly’s
My personal favorite is their Iligan Single Hop Origin Pale Ale. This intensely hopped ale with a sweet finish is best consumed with steaks and cheese. Another favorite of mine is their Diwata White Wheat Ale, which is brewed with lime and peppercorns. What I like the most about this beer is the perfect combination of spicy and floral notes, allowing it to finish with a kick. When I met Paul once, he asked me to try their Mont Lelong Smoked Mocha Porter (6.8% ABV). This is a very unique concoction with a smoky aroma and rich flavor.
Based on what I have seen, Fat Pauly’s has the most diverse selection of craft beers amongst local breweries – and it does not stop there, either. Paul reveals his ongoing collaboration with Chef Justin Yenko to produce and market Baby Rockets Hand-Crafted Soda. Meanwhile, Stuart Bros. Craft Spirits Co. will also be soon on its way, which will surely excite those who are into premium rums and warm weather whiskeys. As Paul puts it, “I do not limit myself or my patrons. That is why I always have something to bring to the table. Some are highly acquired. Some are generally acceptable. Some are outrageously robust. And some are exquisite.”
2. GPoint
Not just a brewery, Gpoint also has a bar in Malate
When Morgan Kallefjord stared Gpoint Brewery three years ago, he had the dream of showing beer lovers how a real hoppy and tasty beer would taste like. Inspiration was drawn from British style of pale ales using natural resources. According to Morgan, he has grown tired of having a limited selection of beers in the country, which fueled his desire to introduce his own brews in the local market.
Morgan Kallefjordwith his wife, Rose
Right now, their bestseller is the Pirate IPA. This British IPA has a lighter body than the American IPAs because of its lower alcohol content. In spite of having lots of flavor, this beer is meant for easy drinking, allowing you to stick with it for a long time. This beer has hints of lychee, passion fruit, and peach in it and is perfect when paired with cold cuts, burgers, and pizzas.
G-Point brews available on tap
If you have been drinking craft beer for quite a while, I highly recommend that you try their Flame Out Ale, which bursts with flavors and hops. Real hopheads can savor its irresistible and appealing flavors of tropical fruits, rock melon, red currant, citrus, and raspberries. Beginners, be warned! It is the hoppiest that they have. Pair it with spicy tacos and you will surely consume more than you originally intended to.
Gpoint’s beers are also available at The Coffee Empire
As an introductory beer for those who would like to experience craft, their Extra Special Bitter will be perfect. Do not be fooled by its name, though. It isn’t actually bitter, but a bit milder and lager-like. It goes well with fish and chips. For sushi and seafood, the Wild Ride IPA is the ideal drink, which has hints of herbs, pineapple, and grapes on it. This will be reminiscent of Tagaytay, from where the beer originates. And yes, there’s a beer perfect for desserts like cheesecakes. It comes in the form of Gpoint’s Black B-Hound.
1. Katipunan Craft Ales
Brett Lim, Raffy Taruc, Kyo Miura, and Miguel Buling first met during their high school years in Ateneo de Manila. Although they separated in their college years, the four would still often find themselves reconnecting and basically talking about that one thing that they all love: beer. While drunken conversations of others would often be about having their own bar someday, these four had a different thing in mind – and that is to make their own beer.
The men who brought us Katipunan
Raffy got a book from the US about brewing. Brett, on the other hand, sourced supplies from a brew shop near his place in Singapore where he worked. They started brewing a few bottles, hoping that they would master the trick one day. As Brett would say, “it wasn’t the best beer, but it was our beer”.
Katipunan Indio Pale Ale – their best-seller and my personal favorite
After about a year, the group was finally confident that they could show off their products. They brought it in one bar and it sold like pancakes that night. This signaled the start of their journey towards craft beer revolution. Their products have grown since then, and so is the market for craft beer. According to Brett, while the ride has been amazing so far, they are still continuously learning about brewing and the specific profile that would sell best in the local market.
Perfect for beer and coffee lovers
To date, their bestseller is the Indio Pale Ale (4.8% ABV), which also happens to be their first recipe. It is available year-round and is made with the use of basic water, yeast, malts, and hop. It was originally patterned from an American Pale Ale recipe, but they felt that they had to cut down on the hops, and instead make it maltier. Pair it with fried meats and you will surely be in for a treat!
Aside from the Indio Pale Ale, another must-try is the Dear Fred (4.8% ABV), which is in collaboration with Yardstick Coffee. Craft beer + craft coffee. That would be the simplest way to put it. Other brews include Signal Number 1 and Weizenberg.
What craft beers from local microbreweries have you tried so far? Let us know!
