10 Best Beers in the Philippines | Best of Food 2023

Beer is a typical alcoholic beverage made from fermented cereal grains. Today, several varieties of beer with varied flavour profiles may be produced depending on the place of origin and yeast utilised during fermentation processes. In the Philippines, drinking is more than simply a way to socialise and celebrate with friends. For the longest time, Filipinos have used beer to enjoy and celebrate special occasions with friends and family. Opening a bottle of ice-cold is a key aspect of Filipino culture, whether there is a vivid fiesta, wedding, birthday, or simply an anticipated reunion among barkadas. With an extensive variety of beers in the market, which then are the best beers in the Philippines? In our Best of Food series, we introduce the 10 Best Beers in the Philippines, providing quality recommendations based on your lifestyle and budget needs. 

This article was last updated on 23 January 2023.

10 Best Beers in the Philippines

1. Heineken

Second-largest brewer in the world

Heineken, the second-largest brewer in the world, claims to be one of the most well-known beer brands in the Philippines. Since its initial market entry in 2016, Heineken beers have gained popularity because of their high-quality offerings and alluring promotional initiatives. Brewed from malted barley, hops, and purified water; stronger and more bitter than most lagers manufactured in large quantities abroad. The most excellent beer in the Philippines for individuals who want a light-bodied alcoholic beverage with a nice malty cereal is Heineken’s own own “A-yeast.” The beer’s 5% ABV also makes it ideal for those seeking a mild punch without suffering from a severe hangover the next day.

Why buy this:

• ABV (Alcohol by volume): 5%
• Ingredients: Malted barley, water, and hops
• Brewery: Heineken

2. Beck’s Beer

Fruity and firm crisp for the wine’s richness

A classic European beer with a thick head and a golden colour is Beck’s German Beer. This rich, full-bodied lager beer has a crisp, dry hop finish and is sweet and soft-balanced. With a 5.0% ABV, Beck’s pilsner beer includes notes of fruits, flowers, and European Noble hops. Low bitterness and a relatively mild flavour characterise the taste. It has a unique, full-bodied flavour, a vibrant, “hoppy” fragrance, a golden colour, and a thick, creamy head. A little fruity yet firm crispness and a dry, clean finish add to the wine’s richness.

Why buy this:

• ABV: 4.8%
• Beer Style: Pale Lager – Intl / Premium
• Floral and fruit European Noble hop aromas

3. Tiger Black

Refreshing and healthful ingredients

Only three (3) natural ingredients, including water, malted barley, and hops, are used to make Tiger Beer Black, the only strong beer in the Philippines that is created entirely from malt. It keeps the beer completely pure by not using any additions or adjuncts like flour, sugar, or other grains. Tiger Beer is a smooth, powerful beer with a 6.9% ABV that exclusively employs the highest-quality ingredients. Tiger Beer consistently wins gold awards and top honours in international tastings thanks to its delicious, smooth, healthful, and refreshing flavour.

Why buy this:

• Made from 100% malt
• 6.9% ABV
• Have natural ingredients – water, malted barley and hopS

4. Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier Naturtrub

Naturally sweet and a balance of bitterness

The most popular Weissbier in Germany and throughout the world. Under a fairly strong head of froth, the beer is naturally cloudy and silky-gold in the glass. This weissbier classic has a faint banana scent on the first sip. Finer palates perceive a hint of mango and pineapple, as well as a balance of sweet and bitter. Beer experts love the delicate yeast note and the moderate but sparkling aroma blend. It is a traditional beer garden drink that draws people from all over the world together.

Why buy this:

• ABV: 5.5 %
• Perfect for any gathering
• Has a faint banana and mango scent

5. Pilsner Urquell

Herbal and flavourful beer

Pilsner is a flavorful, fragrant, and dryish variety of bottom-fermented beer. Pils is distinguished by herbal, flowery, and spicy flavours that are complemented by a pronounced hoppiness. Among beers, it is known as the “metre model.” All subsequent pilsners are, to varying degrees, attempts to replicate the original – the first ever Pilsner Urquell. The same formula from 1842 ensures its unrivalled exceptionality.

Why buy this:

• ABV: 4.40%
• Lighter Czech flavout
• Soft water, red hops and special brewer´s yeast

6. San Miguel Lychee Beer

Fruit-flavoured beer of San Miguel

The first and greatest fruit-flavoured beer produced by San Miguel. It comes in three wonderful fruit flavours – lemon, apple, and lychee – and is quirky and creatively distinct. They’re sweet and simple to drink, with a fruity spin on beer’s pleasant properties. A very unique flavour experience that everyone will love. To summarise, San Miguel is unexceptional in every regard except the aftertaste, which is exceptional. You could appreciate it if you want your beer to have a strong flavour.

Why buy this:

• ABV: 5%
• Ingredients: Water, malt, hops, and cereals/sugar
• Brewery: San Miguel

7. Hoegaarden Rosee Wheat Beer

Has strong scent and notes of citrus fruits and spices

Monks in the Belgian town of Hoegaarden experimented with botanicals such as orange peel and coriander from the sunny island of Curacao some 500 years ago. As a result, the world-famous brew Hoegaarden Rosee Wheat Beer was discovered. Hoegaarden is a Belgian-style white beer prepared with hops, coriander, orange peels from Curacao, and hops. It has a light tint and a hazy, foamy texture. This drink has a strong scent with notes of citrus fruits and spices. It’s gentle and light on the palate, with somewhat sweet and sour overtones. With a 4.9% ABV, Hoegaarden Rosee Wheat Beer is also quite light.

Why buy this:

• Beer in 1 packaging 
• 3.3% Alcohol Volume 
• Wheat beer blended with raspberry

8. Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer

Organically made ginger beer

Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer is a non-alcoholic beverage that is organically made and has a unique combination of the best gingers, subtle botanical flavours, and natural spring water. Not too sweet on the taste, with a powerful, long-lasting ginger flavour. Fever Tree Ginger beer is a caffeine-free beer with flavours such as cinnamon and ginger. It is a delightful drink that has been fermented with 100% alcohol. This beer is a wonderful thirst quencher and a must-have beverage at any time of day.

Why buy this:

• Ginger Beer in each 200mL bottle 
• No artificial sweeteners 
• Made with natural flavours including natural gingers

9. Red Horse Beer

Unique flavour that consumers love

San Miguel Brewery’s Red Horse Beer is a high-alcohol lager with a unique flavour and extra satisfying power from the Philippines. It’s one of the greatest strong beers in the country, and consumers love its full-bodied flavour. Red Horse beer, in particular, has a little sweeter flavour with hints of fruity aromatic elements. This beer has been named the UAE’s No. 1 Strong Beer and No. 2 Brand Overall. It also earned the Gold Medal in the 2015 Australian International Beer Awards and has been a consistent contender in the Monde Selection Awards.

Why buy this:

• ABV: 6.9%
• Ingredients: water, cereal/starch, malt, and hops
• Brewery: San Miguel

10. Asahi Super Dry Beer

Well-known Japanese beer in the Philippines

Asahi Super Dry is one of the most well-known Japanese beer brands in the Philippines. Asahi Super Dry beer is popular for its refreshing barley flavour and great creaminess, thanks to sophisticated brewing procedures and high-quality ingredients. Aside from being an alcoholic drink to satisfy your thirst during the summer months, it is also an ideal drink for any anniversary throughout the year.  Since 1987, this beer has been consistently enhanced to provide customers with a pleasant drink that can be enjoyed by all generations.

Why buy this:

• ABV: 5%
• Ingredients: Water, tapioca syrup, malt, and hop
• Brewery: Asahi Breweries

FAQS:

Where to buy beers in the Philippines?

You used to only be able to buy beers in the Philippines in some physical grocery or supermarket stores but now you can purchase them online for the ultimate convenience and even enjoy discounted prices! Shopee and Lazada are my go-to’s for buying beers. It is also a great place to compare the price of beers in the Philippines.

Above these stores, we hope that our guide on the 10 Best Beers in the Philippines will help you to choose where to buy your accompaniment drink during occasions. Please do share this along with your friends if you have found this useful. Do look forward to more buying guides that we will be releasing soon!