Award-winning Engkanto Brewery Launches First-Ever Taproom
Engkanto Brewery, the most award-winning Filipino craft brewery, is pouring out craft beer cheers just in time for the Christmas season as Engkanto Taps, its first-ever taproom, opens for a soft launch in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
All the finest and award-winning Engkanto craft beers are available at their freshest on tap, including the remarkably smooth High Hive Honey Ale, hailed the World's Best Beer in its category at the World Beer Awards 2024, and the delectable Paint Me Purple Ube Lager, which is widely popular in the US and Australia.
Alongside the beers, which are the highlight of the taproom, a curated menu will also be served to showcase the excellent pairings between the beers and various dishes.
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From the bar chow starters, barbecue skewers, and artisanal sauces, to everything in between, Chef Luis de Terry has cooked up a storm with a mouthwatering selection. Some of the scrumptious beer matches include Croqueta Gonzalez, a spicy serving of chili-con beef in creamy potato balls; Yiken' Inasal sa Gata, an ode to the classic Bacolod skewer; and Gambas Engkantadas, a savory shrimp dish prepared using Live It Up Lager. Some of the sauces and accompaniments have also been made with beer, such as the Engkanto Ale Mustard for the Sausage Party platter.
"While the beers are the highlight of the taproom, we also want to showcase how well they pair with the various dishes on the curated menu," shares Ian Paradies, founder of Engkanto.
Adding a different twist to the drinking experience is the reimagining of classic cocktails, which are infused with the unique flavor profiles of Engkanto beers. One example is the Nutty & Nice-presso, an oozing rendition of the espresso martini with the creaminess of Nutty & Nice Choco-Nut Stout. Another is the Sampa-Loca Highball, which features a mixture of the zesty Green Lava Double IPA and agave syrup.
“It's been a long time coming,” says Michael "MJ" Jordan, Brewmaster of Engkanto. “I live in the area around Sta. Rosa and there's really no place to go when you want to unwind in the evening after 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. So now at Taps, we get to enjoy a laidback atmosphere with awesome people over great beer and food.”
Avid craft beer lovers will find delight in the wide offering of 12 beers on tap, featuring the freshest Engkanto core line-up and limited-release beers. On the other hand, newbies can try the beer flight, which allows a sampling of four different beers in friendlier portions. The beer flight encourages guests to explore various beer styles without the pressure of finishing a pint.
A “guest tap” is also in the works to promote other local breweries and for more people to appreciate different kinds of brews.
“Everything about great local craft beers is here, plus unique cocktails and complementing food. Everything you want from the liquid gold that makes us happy has been incorporated really well. It's so exciting to launch this new line of taprooms because we’re also looking at opening in Metro Manila really soon,” reveals Ricard Basora, Managing Director of Engkanto.
Engkanto Taps Sta. Rosa is located at Erhlind Square, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, across from Paseo de Sta. Rosa Outlets. It's open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
For more information, visit the official Instagram page of Engkanto Taps at instagram.com/engkanto_taps.
