It was a couple years back when I had my first taste of artisanal craft beer and quite frankly, I was hooked on first gulp. I admit that I am more of a wine and spirit guy but that initial taste of crisp lager which paired perfectly with food broadened my world to the kind of drinks I can pair with food or just enjoy on its own.
Recently, The Mindanao Butchers & Company was the venue for a craft beer appreciation night featuring the beers of Engkanto Brewery and curated by its founder Ian Paradies.
A true-blue Cebuano, Ian shared his early love for beer while growing up in Cebu. While living in Boston and San Francisco, he realised his passion for beer and the opportunity presented by the thriving craft beer culture. “We Filipinos love our beers and the opportunity to create well-made artisanal beers presented itself which is how Engkanto Brewery was formed” said Ian.
“The concept behind Engkanto was that the word brings back forgotten Philippine folklore into the daily lives of the modern Filipino. Growing up, we hear stories of spirits and supernatural beings like Maria Makiling, the Kapre, the Sirena, the Diwente and of potions, spells and elixirs” Ian added.
There were three different craft beers that were made available for tasting at the event. We started with Engkanto’s Lager, light and crisp with a nice citrus note, the Lager is a beer that is easy to enjoy with a great mouth feel with just a touch of bitterness to cleanse the palate. It is also the lightest beer of the bunch at just 4.5% alcohol by volume.
Moving up the ladder is Engkanto’s Pale Ale. Slightly heavier tasting when compared to the Lager, Engkanto’s Pale Ale has a richer mouth feel with the bitterness that stands up to richer food. “The Pale Ale is my favourite,” shared Ian. With its complex nose and even more complex flavour, I can easily taste why.
On the top of the ladder is Engkanto’s Double IPA (India Pale Ale) which comes logs in at 8% alcohol by volume. “Although the Double IPA has a higher alcohol content, it is a hit among women thanks to its bright lemon and citrus notes and dialed-down bitterness” said Ian. As crisp as the Lager but with a more assertive floral and citrus bouquet, I can also say that the Double IPA is also my pick.
Aside from Mindanao Butchers, Engkanto is also available in Davao at Bondi & Bourke, The Pearl Farm, Swiss Deli, Ninety ninety Kitchen + Bar, Beereaucracy, Streets Urban Lifestyle Pub, Unit 206, Garaje, Project Paella, and Huckleberry Davao Southern Kitchen & Bar.
