Words by Audrey Kho and Carinna Reyes
Every once in a while, we all just need to lay back, grab a cold glass of delicious beer, and relax with friends.
So if you’re looking for a perfect place to chill with a drink that would excite your taste buds at the same time, here are some craft beer pubs that are proudly local, and that we think you should check out for your next de-stressing hangout.
6. Refinery
If you’re looking to try a bottle of great craft beer but also a place with great food, visit Refinery. Found in its homey walls isn’t only their delicious menu, but also a limited, delicious selection of craft beer that will surely satisfy your beer cravings. Make sure to visit their Rockwell and Greenhills branches to get a chance to try out one of these cold ones.
An added bonus: their food menu is simply spectacular. They serve a set of amazing appetizers, including your usual bar chow but with a twist, like their Double Truffle Fries, Moroccan Wings, and Chicharrones.
5. Pivo Praha Microbrewery
As the beloved concept of Bravo Best Foods owner, Pivo Praha Microbrewery uses the Czech style of beer brewing while making it suitable to the Filipino palate. These craft beers are particularly smooth, and you wouldn’t even notice you’ve already chugged all of it until it’s too late. You’ll be asking for one more—or two!
It’s great that this type of beer is beginning to brew—literally—here in the Philippines, as a small community of beer enthusiasts simultaneously begins to grow. Pivo Praha hopes to make beer brewing a little more personal, bringing out only small batches of their specialty beer at a time.
Image: www.lynne-enroute.comThey offer four kinds of Czech-style beer: Classic, Czech Style, Weizen, and Dark. A bottle of any of these doesn’t cost more than P75, and not more than P900 for a whole case of 12. You can grab a bottle at their shop in New Manila, or get a case of 12 for you and your friends if you’re having a party!
ALSO READ: 5 Whiskey Bars Around Manila for Your Chillnuman Nights
4. The Bottle Shop by Global Beer Exchange
The Bottle Shop by Global Beer Exchange may look like just a small shop sitting quietly at Paseo de Magallanes, but it prides itself on its wide selection of craft beer—from breweries in Cebu and Puerto Princesa, all the way to California and the United Kingdom. If you’re looking for a specific kind of craft beer, this place probably has it!
Global Beer Exchange was created in 2008 by beer aficionado Jim Araneta, with the hope that his business paves the way for the Philippine community to discover craft beer in all its colorful, aromatic, and flavorful nuances.
It’s okay, don’t be intimidated by the rows of craft beer lined up on their walls! Their beer gurus are more than happy to guide you in choosing the best one to suit your taste.
ALSO READ: Global Beer Exchange’s The Bottle Shop: Craft Beers from all over the world!
3. Nipa Brew Taproom & Brewhouse
For craft beer veterans out there, Nipa Brew is a familiar local brewery. Since 2014, they have been creating and exploring new flavors of beer that sets an adventure to the palate of their patrons.
Image: TripAdvisor
What’s more exciting is that just this year, they opened their own taproom in San Antonio, Makati, where customers can find their favorite Nipa Brew flavored beers and have some delicious finger food as well.
Here you can try out their original brew, Tropical Haze, or even customize your own Nipa Brew Beer for a special occasion!
2. Baguio Craft Brewery
What better place to fully enjoy a beer and hot pulutan than in the cold climate of Baguio? Located along Marcos Highway, what looks like an old warehouse on the outside is actually a spacious, homey pub, where you can meet new people and sometimes watch live performances of local bands.
Image: Baguio Craft Brewery websiteEnjoy the spectacular view overlooking Baguio city with the brewery’s wide variety of craft beers to choose from—ales, laggers, and even fruit beers. One of their must-try beers is the Lagud or Strawberry Beer, and the seasonal Mango Jango or Mango Beer.
Don’t worry, if the choices overwhelm you, they’ll give a free taste of the beers you want to try out before you order your drink for the night.
1. Casa Marcos
However, if you can’t go to Baguio right away or you’d prefer to stay closer to the Metro, Casa Marcos is the right place for you. Named after its owner, Marcos de Guisasola, this Spanish restaurant offers the perfect food that would match the beers they carry—from Baguio Craft Brewery.
Image: Casa Marcos websiteHighly recommended: Casa Marcos’ Paella Negra. The sweetness of the fruit beer matched with the saltiness of the seafood of this Paella is sure to give you a heavenly food coma.
Image: Casa Marcos website
You can find this restobar in II Terrazo, Scout Madrinan, Corner Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
ALSO READ: LOOK: Beer Yoga Actually Made Its Way To Manila!
We can’t wait to get our beer on and try all these places out! Cheers!
What other places do you recommend for a delicious glass of local craft beer?
