The Philippine Craft Beer Cup brings together local brewers and international beer experts, showcasing the growing quality and diversity of the Philippine craft beer scene.
For Manila’s growing community of craft beer enthusiasts, including expats familiar with the thriving beer cultures of the US, Europe, Australia, and beyond, the Philippine craft beer scene is becoming increasingly worth exploring.
The Philippine Craft Brewers Association (PCBA) held the Awarding Ceremonies of the second Philippine Craft Beer Cup on August 8, 2026, at the Ballroom at The Westin Residences in Ortigas Center.
Nineteen breweries from around the Philippines answered the call for submissions, sending in 83 different beers in 13 categories to be assessed by an international panel of judges.
The PCBA flew in industry professionals and beer experts from the US, Mexico, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, and Slovakia to judge alongside local enthusiasts. Every entry went through a rigorous process of tasting and professional assessment, with judges holding the beers to the standards set by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) for each beer style.
For expats who’ve experienced craft beer scenes abroad, the international judging offered a useful perspective on how Philippine brewers are measuring up. The results showed an industry that continues to grow in both quality and confidence.
A week of beer and brewing
The Awarding Ceremonies were the culmination of a week of activities held by the PCBA, which included a special brew day and talk with Alexandra Nowell, founder of Mellotone Beer Project in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her presence was made possible with the support of the Hop Growers of America and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The visiting guests were also treated to a tour of local taprooms and breweries in Metro Manila and its environs, highlighting the growing craft beer culture available to both locals and the international community living in the Philippines.
Present at the Awarding Ceremonies was Michael Ward, Agricultural Counselor for the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, who voiced his support for the growing Philippine craft beer industry.
A growing craft beer scene
A gold, silver, or bronze medal could be awarded to a beer in any given category, provided it reached a certain scoring threshold. If no beer achieved the required score, no medal was given in that category. A beer could also receive the distinction of “President’s Selection,” acknowledging its merits despite not taking any of the top three spots.
Out of a possible 39 medals, 30 were awarded, along with two President’s Selections prizes.
Mitchell’s Backyard Brewery, based in Quezon City, bagged the most medals with eight, plus a President’s Select distinction. Engkanto Brewery, however, with five medals of its own and the highest average score among its submissions, was named Champion Brewery of the Year.
Also making a strong showing were Apolong Brewery from Dumaguete, with four medals, and Coron Brewery from Northern Palawan, with three gold medals. Their success in the competition was a testament to the growth of the industry outside Metro Manila, with these microbreweries being recognized for making some of the best craft beer in the country.
Engkanto’s Paint Me Purple Ube Lager, one of the beers in its core lineup, was also named Champion Beer of the Show.
“We’re really happy to receive the awards,” said Ricard Basora, managing director of Engkanto Brewery. “And we’re happy that the level of the whole country is going up, which is the most important thing for us.”
“We’re a very small industry,” he continued, “and we’re all improving.”
For expats looking to discover more of what the Philippines has to offer beyond its well-known food and drink staples, the country’s craft beer scene offers another local discovery worth raising a glass to.
The Philippine Craft Beer Cup is supported by its presenting partner Hop Growers of America, its supporting sponsors NS Design, Fearless Trading, MGM Food & Commodities Corporation, Asia Brewers Network, and Lallemand Brewing, and its community partners Bespoke Brewing Solutions, Rockstar Brewing Academy, The Beer Coop, and Brew & Stuff.
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