Engkanto Brewery is The Philippines' most globally awarded brewery and Australians looking to try their unique beers, now have the chance.
The importers and distributors at 7000 Islands Drinks have started bringing the brewery's beers into the country, including those made with ube and carabao mangoes.
Further details and the initial stockists are available through the media release below.
Media Release: Engkanto Brewery: Ready to Take Australia and the Rest of the World
The Filipino craft beer revolution Down Under is gathering more steam with the arrival of Engkanto, the most globally awarded craft brewery from the Philippines. Imported and distributed by 7000 Islands Drinks, and has been available in Australia since February 2024 in Valore Cellars Western Sydney, Steve’s Liquor stores in Melbourne, and select Cellarbrations stores: Plumpton Hotel Cellarbrations, Wolly Bay Cellabrations in Sydney and Umina Cellarbrations, Chittaway Bay Cellabrations in Central Coast of NSW. As well as Independent Perth retailers Parry Cellars, Oxford Cellars, Kwinana Beach Liquor and The Wembley Bottle Department.
Engkanto craft beers that are made from 100% all-natural, raw materials including locally sourced, native ingredients to The Philippines.
Among the beer variants now available in Australia is the rich and creamy ‘Paint Me Purple Ube Lager'. Ube, a distinctly Filipino staple, has caught the interest of the food world and is one of the most sought-after items in the Filipino cuisine sweeping Australia.
Next is ‘Mango Nation’ Hazy IPA, which highlights delicious carabao mangoes sourced from the different fruit growing regions in the country including the island of Guimaras – the first Geographic Indication designated in The Philippines (like Champagne).
Last among the three Engkanto variants currently available in Australia is ‘High Hive’ Honey Ale, with its star ingredient raw honey sourced from apiaries in Baguio City. This unique kind of honey has a subtle floral sweetness, giving the beer a smooth finish many local drinkers have come to enjoy.
From a brewing perspective, Team Engkanto selects only the best quality for its locally sourced ingredients, including mango, ube, and honey, to ensure the consistency of the beers. This also helps promote homegrown Filipino products from like-minded farmers, beekeepers, and producers.
Ian Paradies, the founder of Engkanto Brewery, launched the brand in 2017 to give underserved Filipinos better quality options when it comes to their beer. Not long after, renowned brewmaster Michael 'MJ' Jordan, hailing from the US Pacific Northwest, joined Engkanto and reimagined the original beer lineup.
“Team Engkanto boldly presents a unique beer experience for beer drinkers, here in the Philippines, Australia, and around the world, with flavours from homegrown ingredients such as honey, mango, and ube. We are excited to tell you that we are working on more native ingredients.”
Siegfrid Bacani, of 7000 Islands, the official Australian partners shares “We’re totally wrapped, to be expanding these ‘ridiculously tasty’ craft beers from the 7000 Islands of The Philippines. And craft beer aficionados agree, with an esteemed panel of 75 judges, declaring three (3) of Engkanto’s craft beers a winner at the Australian Internation Beer Awards (AIBA) Gala Dinner on Thursday 16th May 2024. Personally, I can’t wait to get these Engkanto kegs into our hospitality partner venues come June 2024!”
