6 Filipino Owned Breweries That You Should Know
Written By Niko Del Rey
Before we divulge some of the best kept Filipino breweries in the nation, please remember to drink responsibly and please be responsible for supporting Filipino owned businesses. With that being said, no one likes warm beer, so no need to build anticipation for a good time, let’s dive into 6 Filipino Owned Breweries That You Should Know!
Brewyard Beer Company
Located in Glendale, California, Brewyard Beer Company aims to redefine and rediscover a style of beer that was invented in California during the 1800s for Californians – The “Common” style Lager. From homebrewing to upscaling and converting a warehouse into a brewery, Brewyard has expanded this category of lagers to encompass over a dozen flavors from Hoppy, Roasty, Smoky, Malty, Coffee-y, Honey sweet and Pale. With iconic Filipino flavors like their Ube Wan and Calamansi Beer flavors, this will be worth the trip next time you’re in the LA area.
Alulu Brewery & Pub
The only Filipino brewery in the Chicago area, Alulu in Pilsen is known to be a popular hangout spot for all your social gatherings. Alulu has a great selection of local beer, american dishes, and they are always having fun events like Star Wars night or Super Smash Bros. Tournaments. Not to mention their Filipino-influenced dishes like their longanisa burger, the chef’s marinated wings inspired by his grandma’s recipe, and if you stop by on monday, their lumpia is half off!
Alameda Island Brewing
What was once the Cavanuagh Motor Chrysler dealership in Alameda, Alameda Island Brewing has taken over the space but the only thing they are dealing out are tasty beers and good times. With Filipino Head Brewer, Richard Angeles, at the helm, he is making some of the mot flavorful Filipino inspired beer that you have to try. A few of the most popular are the Sarap! (Calamansi Pilsner), Sop ‘N’ Go (Soursop & Mango Sour Ale) named after sari sari stores, and the Ube Area (Ube Ale) for all the Bay Area folk.
Esoteric Brewing
Esoteric Brewing is Cincinnati’s first Black- and Filipino-owned brewery located in Walnut Hills, Ohio. “To craft a beer with such integrity that it has a profound social impact.” is the goal of owners Brian Jackson and Marvin Abrinica. In an interview with Cincinnati Magazine, Abrinica explains that “The word esoteric means understood by a select few, which Abrinica says coincides with the small market of minority-owned breweries in the country today, which account for less than 3% of all breweries”. What inspires me most is their true aim to serve their community through acts like crowdfunding “because it was important to get the community involved, and they wanted to allow people to be partial business owners” and how their proceeds from their Black stout beer are donated to nonprofits that support Black lives.
Mosaic Taphouse
Mosaic Taphouse located in Portland, Oregon, aims to be St. Johns' top destination for craft beer, serving as a diverse social hub that champions Portland's Filipino and Queer communities. Communities that are representative of the identities of owners, Jarek and Laurence Oliver. Partnering with Vietnamese pop up eatery, Chém Gió, and Kalesa Coffee, Mosaic Taphouse offers a variety of beers, wine, seltzers, food, and even coffee. Not to mention, out of all the breweries I have listed so far, this is the only one that has San Miguel Pale Pilsner straight from the Philippines.
Brockton Beer Company
Collectively Haitian, Puerto Rican, Canadian, Jamaican, Trinidanian, Mexican, and Filipino- (Ed Cabellon) owned, Brockton Beer Company (BBC) is located in Brockton, Massachusetts. Inspired by the impact breweries had on surrounding communities, five local families collaborated to bring together Brockton Beer Company in hopes to unite their community in similar fashion. Although they have only recently opened in June 2022, BBC already has an award winning beer for the Yasuke - Black Kolsch beer that received a Silver Medal in the 2022 Denver International Beer Competition.
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