Craft beer Asia has descended upon Manila, to check out some local developments, meet those driving the beer scene, and most importantly to drink local!

Day 1:

We head to The Perfect Pint in the evening. It has a nice lineup of local beers on tap – about 12 taps total – some bottles as well, and a selection of American styled dishes on the menu.

I have 3 hops and a hop by Katipunan ales – lively, bright grapefruit and floral notes with a touch of malt sweetness.

After my burger, I move on to get the dumaguette dubbel by the Cebruery. I like my Belgians, and this one was on the spot. Notes of caramel, honey, dates and peppery spice, with a smoothness that deceives – it is 8% alcohol!

Day 2:
We get up early for coffee, and work on our future plans till lunch. We head to Mr Delicious, a smoked-meat joint in a food court(hole in the wall) that boasts a bottle and draft selection.

I get started on People Power Pale ale by the Cebruery again – this one was pretty assertive coming up with a softer, melon-mango hop profile. A prominent bitterness and quick finish rounds out the beer. I think pale ales are quick becoming the mainstay of Philippine craft beer – they work well in a hot climate and locals have been pretty accepting of bitterness.

I move on to summer passion by craftpoint brewing. It is a spiced beer – but well balanced for the weather – I couldn’t really pick up the ingredients yet they worked together to create a great profile.

Apricots, honey, ginger heat and a buzzing carbonation made it really easy to put away, and didn’t leave me satiated.

We had a round of beer bites from Mr Delicious, including the pulled pork burger with handmade chips.

The afternoon, we return to the Perfect Pint where I try 2 of their house brews – not produced on site but contracted. Born to Fly, a pale ale and another IPA, not on the menu, were similarly tasty and pleasant as hoppy beers go. They were much rounder and a little sweeter than others, as my beer infused mind recalls.

We move on to the Global Beer Exchange in the evening where I spot something that I’ve been itching to try – the chocolate hills porter – by the Cebruery.

Toasty, with a touch of coffee and cocoa powder – this is a robust porter with a big but not cloying mouthfeel. Finishes surprisingly hoppy.

That was about all the local beer I put away; I had a few sips of others here and there but not enough to comment on fairly.

All in all it was an awesome time in Manila and I can’t wait to see how the scene heats up in the near future.