⌛ Filbrewer, Filipino Brewer

Hi everyone, as the title suggests, I'm an addict homebrewer based in Iligan City. I've been brewing since April 2010 and so far, made 14 batches of 5gals at 5 styles the most. I joined this forum to help out other members who have difficulty in sourcing their raw materials and other equipments needed for home brewing. Believe me, it's not an easy task to homebrew in the Philippines, but with creativity, research and knowing the right people to help you, you can surpass that difficulty. Yes, of course it involves money. I initially bought my basic equipment and raw materials from midwest supplies in the US.

Hope to hear from you in the Home brewing forum.

Cheers!

 

Interesting post. Nice hobby I suppose but I just have to ask...why? The local beers are pretty good and the price is fantastic....about 1/5th of what we pay down here. I have never understood why we pay so much for a necessity of life here in Australia. I was stunned to find that Australian beer and wine is cheaper during my travels overseas...one cheaper place I'll never forget....the local Safeway in North Pole, Alaska (half an hour drive south of Fairbanks)...Fosters and Australian wines about 30% cheaper than my local bottle-shop. Now that does pizz me off...must be our taxes making the difference....
But getting back to the brewing....I know a few people who brew - some for years - down here. And the economics stack up - given our high prices for beer. But, having sampled many of their creations...no thanks...I'd rather buy it from the store. Hope you are getting better results. Nothing against brewing mind you...I have made hundreds of gallons of wine myself in the middle east - where you can't buy it....Must say it came out pretty good...especially the whites. Anyway I'd be curious how beer brewing economics stack up in the Philiippines, or is it a personal passion and bugger the expense? Fair enough if it is....hope you are getting great results.

 

Thanks Garbonzo. Why brew anyway? Well for a couple of reasons. First, I am a very curious. I feel satisfied, gratified etc when I do extraordinary things that are of best results. Secondly, and I hate to say that I am very well cultured when it comes to beer. There are hundreds of styles of beer, and Filipinos marry with only one style of beer which is......Pilsner. Oh! the beer that the world loves. Curious people really don't rely on what is spoon fed to them. Just like coffee, I bet, 95% of Filipinos or more prefer 3 in 1 than the real roasted and brewed coffee. Many prefer sweet, creamed or flavored coffee rather than just plain brewed coffee. Yes, it's all about taste preference but in the first place the Industry Giants, San Miguel, Nestle, Unilever injected, instilled and taught all Filipinos that this is how beer SHOULD taste, This is how coffee SHOULD taste. Let's break the norm and try experimenting. You'll never know, it may pay-off someday

 

Hi filbrewer, what sort of beer do you brew ? over here in the UK we brew lager and bitter. Bitter is more traditional and is darker, weaker, but has more flavour.

Then there's cider, made out of apples and pears. I like to make wine its really easy, especially out of kits. :D

 

Hi Jimeve, I have brewed american IPA, stout, belgian wit, crazy brews that i call smashin pumpkin and blue ginger infused blonde. I would like to try lagers this time, I know its difficult but my new keezer will help me out. I have mead yeasts in my fridge but I'm not yet confident doing it

 

I am still waiting for Roody's comments.

 

well.... you ask for here we go

home brewing is like cross-stitching, oil painting (or slide-show evenings from a holiday) etc.
All your friends will say "wow, great... " but are happy not to look at the whole collection as it never comes close to the original intention of the creator. Once in a while the result is acceptable. As long it keeps the cross-stitcher and oil-painter happy and does not annoy friends, all is good

 

I really miss those witty comments. Though it may not be scientific, you can smell and taste the wisdom of an expert. Cheers!

 

Mead is so much easier than brewing. Boil water..1-2 gallons, add your honey(15lbs), stir(don't boil again) and cool down to pitching temperature(65-75F) top off with "clean" water to make a total of 5-6 gallons, pitch yeast, maybe add some yeast nutrient to help it kick start, add your air lock and wait a few weeks. I rack into a secondary at about 3-4 weeks when fermentation has slowed, add in some fresh fruit juice/puree....guava or passion fruit or pineapple....etc...if you want a melamel..let that ferment for another 3-4 months or until clear. Bottle and drink...at 12-15% alcohol.......definite "pantie remover" for the women!!!

 

Cebu's first brewpub is looking for a head brewer....