CRAFT BEER 101: MORE THAN FROTH

Talking someone into having a drink is a no-brainer. But deciding what to drink is another story since not everybody shares the same preference. But despite that, it never hurts to broaden one’s choices once in a while.

Craft beer is one such drink that, although has been around for a while, is somewhat of a novelty still as not everyone is accustomed to it. But with the growing number of companies that specialize in such, the introduction to this handcrafted drink is easily within reach.

Baguio Craft Brewery is a Philippine-based company with its first location in Baguio City in 2014. Dedicated to producing unique, traditionally brewed, handcrafted beers, it aims to educate and cultivate a culture of craft beer drinkers. Since then, it has reached different parts of the country.

In Cebu City, a branch opened on July 28, 2017, at Garden Bloc, Cebu IT Park. The branch is called Baguio Craft Brewery Cebu under Baguio Craft Brewery and Southern Craftbrews & Co. Corp.

Built like a rustic pub with a touch of Cordilleran influence, the place provides a laid-back hangout from its deck, the alfresco dining area down to the tasting room complete with wooden fixtures like barrels for tables, not to mention its bar with the uniquely carved wooden tap handles.

There are over 50 brews with 21 craft beers on rotating tap ranging from ales, fruit beers, wheat, stout, pilsners, lagers carrying interesting, memorable and quirky names, some with stories behind them like Lagud or Kabunyan based on Cordilleran mythology. Other names were inspired by the brewmasters’ personal experiences like Kraken—or they were just having fun with the works like Foly Huck, Suck Butter, to name a few. All beers in Cebu are available in other branches except Balls Out which is available in Cebu.

Pair with its list of comfort food, finger food selections and traditional pub favorites made with the promise of creating them from scratch using sustainable ingredients. Some of its must try selections include Sisig Dumplings, Stout Isaw, BCB (Baguio Craft Brewery) fries; house specialties, rice meals and such like the Ribs Family Platter.

Patrons are given a quick beer course and even offered shot glasses for them to sample some of the beers they wish to taste in order to make the choice easier. The bar has a board showing its selections and alcohol content for added information. Also available are its six-pack sampler carrying six flavors of beer, and the burlap containing six cans of its strongest beers.

More than a place to hang out with family and friends, Baguio Craft Brewery Cebu is a place that aims to offer something new to the table with its variety of choices, making the experience of trying out craft beer an adventurous one.

Baguio Craft Brewery Cebu is open daily and accepts private events and parties.