The Philippines’ craft beer industry saw a boom in the early 2010s, with numerous small brewers trying their hands on a variety of beer styles that were previously unheard off in the country. Today, while the craze might have died down, there remained brands that were able to carve a place in the beer market, one of which is Crazy Carabao Brewery.
What started out as a dream among friends after watching a Manny Pacquiao fight in Las Vegas, slowly turned into a reality with the acquisition of an abandoned building in Sta. Rosa, Laguna for brewery. Today, the brewery is approaching its 10th year and with it, an updated look that pays tribute to its Filipino roots.
To accompany the beer’s awesome taste, each Crazy Carabao bottle is now adorned with a single beaming color that shows vibrancy through the sunrays accentuated by symbols of Pinoy culture such as the Chocolate Hills, the jeepney, butanding, among others.
Despite the updated looks, the Crazy Carabao team remains committed to producing only the best brews while slowly expanding its lineup of beverages. This is highlighted by the brewery’s latest release, the Newtons Noggin Apple Cider.
“Our goal as a craft beer company is to help many more Filipinos enjoy the different notes and unique styles of beer. Our following is rapidly growing, and we want to keep it fresh and interesting for them by expanding our product portfolio to target the varying tastes of our customers,” said Brad Hannam, one of the founders of Crazy Carabao.
Hannam said that unlike the apple-flavored beverages found in the market today, the Newtons Noggin is a true cider, made only with apples, yeast, and water. The result is a refreshing drink that balances the sweetness of appeals with a hint of astringency and bite from the fermentation process.
The newest drink complements the brewery’s lineup of beers, from the crisp Pilsner, the approachable Wheat Beer, to the American Pale Ale which started the craft beer revolution in the Philippines, to the India Pale Ale, a hop bomb with a lingering bitter finish and a favorite style among craft beer drinkers.
And while there might be a wide variety of beer made, Crazy Carabao’s beers are still brewed in small batches using the best ingredients. Malts are imported from Australia and Europe, and hops, which provide the bitterness, aroma and style, are grown in Yakami Valley located next to Seattle, USA, which is said to have some of the most fertile soil in the world.
Currently, Crazy Carabao is available in top bars and restaurants across Metro Manila, including most of the 5-star hotels in the country and in all the main retailers such as S&R, The Marketplace, Landers Superstore, as well as in Lazada, Shopee, and many other top online stores.
The brand has also updated its website crazycarabao.ph featuring a more vibrant design, with pages that are easier to navigate and, most importantly, a Beer Finder feature that lets users easily find the nearest outlets that sell Crazy Carabao.
