The purveyors of “hoppiness” and fine handcrafted beers celebrates its first anniversary with new brews, new dishes, and a whole lot more fun
 
 
 
Hip hangout, The Brewery, celebrated its first anniversary this July, and it has been one hoppy year of brewing the freshest, finest craft beers, cooking up the most delectable pub grub, and providing top-caliber entertainment.
 
The Philippines’ largest on-site microbrewery was launched to the thirsty public in June 2015, in the area burgeoning with all things posh and trendy – Bonifacio Global City. Since its opening, the establishment has been extremely well-received and patronized by lovers of fresh beer, fine food, and fab fun.
 
 

“We want to showcase the artistry of the beer brewing process and simultaneously be a major force in changing the local dining landscape. It’s a different kind of gastro pub experience,” says Raj Sadhwani, CEO of The Brewery.
 
Ale, ale, the pub’s new beers
 
The Brewery started out with a selection of six fine, handcrafted, artisanal beers: the India Pale Ale (IPA), Wheat Beer, Pilsner, and Stout. Shortly after their launch, two variants, Honey Beer and Ginger Beer, were introduced for a period of several months. To keep the tap flowing and taste buds craving more, the establishment’s current in-house, expertly trained brew master, German national Oliver Ellrotte, has created two new flavors guaranteed to please even the most astute of ale aficionados – Epic IPA and Chokolate Boom. The former is a double IPA which has a strong bitter character with citrus and floral hints (highly recommended for seasoned beer palates). It has been described as “out of this world” by those who have tried it, on account of it being brewed with more malt and three kinds of hops (Cascade, Chinook and Williamette). The latter is every chocolate-and-beer-lover’s fantasy, fulfilled, as this smooth, smoky, slightly spicy bottom fermented craft lager is brewed with the finest chocolate malt and local labuyo red chilies.
 
 

 
 

“We are very pleased with the market’s reception of The Brewery and we look forward to more years of brewing beer using unique ingredients. While commercially- brewed beer will always be a mainstream product, there will always be room for beverages that offer new experiences and new choices. The important thing is that everything is of premium quality,” Sadhwani shared.
 
Gotta -grab grub
 
Aside from regular pub grub greats – such as the bestselling Fisherman’s Basket (wheat beer-battered sole fillet, lightly breaded New Zealand mussels, calamari, white shrimps and soft shell crab, with steak cut fries, tomato salsa, caper aioli, and sweet chili sauce), Modern Kilawin (the restaurant’s delicious take on ceviche; made of fresh Tanigue fillets, spiced vinegar, coconut cream, onions, ginger, chili, crushed fried pork rinds, and lemon foam), and the All-Meat Pizza (topped with bacon, beef sausage, pork sausage, pepperoni, onions, mozzarella and parmesan), Chef Carlo Miguel, co-owner and Corporate Chef of The Brewery, has conceptualized new creations of grub you just gotta grab.
 
Among the newest items on the roster are the all-time Filipino favorite, Crispy Pata (with pickled vegetables, Thai style, with a choice of classic Pinoy or apple onion gravy dipping sauces), Beef Rendang (Indonesian beef stew with fragrant rice and crispy onions and crackers), Pork Ramen (egg noodles in a flavorful 36-hour pork dashi broth, pork knuckles, pork belly, 62-degree eggs, togarashi, bonito flakes and leeks), Bleu Cheeseburger (house ground 1/2 lb US Angus beef short plate and chuck, bleu cheese, grilled onions and mesclun in a brioche bun), Salpicao Sous Vide (US Angus beef chuck with garlic, butter, chives and pork crackling served with steak cut fries), Indonesian Fried Duck (Indo-style fried US Duck Leg, served with sambal sauce and steamed fragrant rice), and the Sticky Date and Banana Pudding (served with ale butter beer sauce and homemade vanilla seed ice cream).
 
 

 
 

 
 

Brewery and the beats
 
It isn’t just the grog and the grub that are great, at The Brewery. Diners can expect to enjoy their brews and their bites with some of the country’s best beats, from up-and-coming, as well as veteran musicians and bands. On the music menu is everything from jazz and soul, to rock and reggae, curated and selected by none other than top Filipino musician, Rico Blanco, who is also among the gastro pub’s owners.
 
Furthermore, The Brewery offers facilities and amenities for private functions. With a seating capacity of 250 to 300 people, in an 840-square meter area spread out over two floors, space is definitely not an issue. Ambiance is also a plus, with the venue’s Industrial Steampunk aesthetic lending a warm and classy, yet trendy and edgy feel to every affair.
 
The Brewery is owned and operated by the Distillery Group, the same company behind a string of successful resto-pubs. With a solid reputation and a deeply ingrained appreciation for fine beer and food, the company is poised to take the Brewery well into many more anniversaries, to come. Cheers to The Brewery!
 
The Brewery is located at The Palace complex on 10th avenue corner 38th Street in Uptown Fort, Bonifacio Global City, and is open Mondays to Sundays, 11a.m. until 2a.m.
 
 
 
By ANGIE DUARTE