Engkanto wins Champion Brewery of the Year in 2026 Philippine Craft Beer Cup
MANDALUYONG CITY, PHILIPPINES – The Philippine Craft Brewers Association (PCBA) held the Awarding Ceremonies of the second-ever Philippine Craft Beer Cup on August 8, 2026, at the Ballroom at the Westin Residences in Ortigas Center.
Nineteen breweries from around the Philippines answered the call for submissions, sending in eighty-three different beers in thirteen categories to be assessed by an international panel of judges.
The PCBA flew in industry professionals and beer experts from the US, Mexico, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, and Slovakia to judge alongside a handful of local enthusiasts to put every entry through a rigorous process of tasting and professional assessment, holding them to the standards set by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) for every beer style.
The Awarding Ceremonies were the culmination of a week of activities held by the PCBA, which included a special brew day and talk with Alexandra Nowell, founder of Mellotone Beer Project in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her presence was made possible with the support of the Hop Growers of America and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The visiting guests were also treated to a tour of local taprooms and breweries in Metro Manila and its environs.
Present at the Awarding Ceremonies was Michael Ward, Agricultural Counselor for the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, who voiced his support for the growing Philippine Craft Beer Industry.
A gold, silver, and bronze medal may be awarded to a beer in any given category, should they reach a certain scoring threshold. If no beer achieves the required score, no medal is given in that category. A beer may also be given the distinction of “President’s Selection,” acknowledging the merits of the beer in spite of not taking any of the top three spots.
Out of a possible thirty-nine medals, thirty were awarded, along with two President’s Selections prizes. Mitchell’s Backyard Brewery, based out of Quezon City, bagged the most number of medals with eight, plus a President’s Select distinction. Engkanto Brewery, however, with five medals of their own and the highest average score among its submissions, was named Champion Brewery of the Year.
Also making a good showing were Apolong Brewery out of Dumaguete, with four medals, and Coron Brewery from Northern Palawan, with three gold medals. Their success in this competition is a testament to the growth of the industry outside of Metro Manila, with these microbreweries being recognized for making some of the best craft beer in the country.
Engkanto’s Paint It Purple Ube Lager, one of the beers in their core lineup, was also named the Champion Beer of the show.
“We’re really happy to receive the awards,” said Ricard Basora, managing director of Engkanto Brewery. “And we’re happy that the level of the whole country is going up, which is the most important thing for us.”
“We’re a very small industry,” he continued, “and we’re all improving.”
The Philippine Craft Beer Cup is supported by its presenting partner Hop Growers of America, its supporting sponsors NS Design, Fearless Trading, MGM Food & Commodities Corporation, Asia Brewers Network, Lallemand Brewing, and its community partners Bespoke Brewing Solutions, Rockstar Brewing Academy, The Beer Coop, and Brew & Stuff. (PR)