5 new craft beer spots in the metro for your October meet-ups
Calling all craft beer lovers—October is here.
Since typical Oktoberfest celebrations have been muted the past two years because of the various stages of lockdowns and liquor bans, this year it’s finally time to schedule those long-awaited reunions with friends over beer.
Though many restaurants and bars permanently closed down or went on hiatus during the pandemic amid the restrictions, several new ones have emerged.
Here are just five new craft beer spots in the metro that opened from 2021 to 2022 for your quality drinking sessions and weekend hangouts.
Cubao X Brewery
With its vintage shops, hole-in-the-wall restos, and hidden bars, Cubao Expo in Quezon City has long been known as a local hipster’s haven. The newest addition to this artsy enclave is Cubao X Brewery, an open-air two-story craft beer bar that serves fresh craft beer on tap.
The artisanal beer brewery “inspired by the limitless creativity of craft beer” just held its soft launch at the end of September 2022. There are currently five craft varieties of craft beer on tap being brewed onsite, including a very refreshing Lazy Lady Hazy IPA and hop-forward Temptation IPA.
The microbrewery does not serve food but patrons are welcome to order from nearby restaurants like Habanero Kitchen Bar, Tacio’s, Bellini’s, or buy street food from food trucks right across Cubao X. There’s also a new Batang PX goods store nearby selling chips for those who need instant bar chow.
Cubao X Brewery is located at Cubao Expo, 3 General Romulo Ave, Cubao, Quezon City. It's open from 3 p.m. to 12 midnight daily.
Treeline Ales
Treeline Ales is a classy microbrewery and taproom located in Robinsons Magnolia in Quezon City that serves fresh local craft beers every day.
The minimalist brewert, which looks like a design showroom instead of the typical dark pub, opened last April 2022. After a day of shopping or eating out with family in the mall, guests can head here for a relaxing afternoon drinking session.
While the main taproom is air-conditioned and enclosed, Treeline Ales also has a small outdoor area in the mall’s spacious hallway for those who prefer to drink in an al fresco space. Like most tasting rooms, Treeline Ales does not serve food except for simple bar chow like cornicks and onigiri, but you can easily buy food from mall-based restos or snacks from Korean store No Brand very near the brewery.
Treeline Ales is located in Robinsons Magnolia, Aurora Blvd, corner Doña Hemady St, New Manila, Quezon City, Metro Manila. It's open from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Three Foxes Craft Beer
For those who are based in Makati, Poblacion has long been the nightlife spot of choice with established hangouts like Polillya and Alamat Filipino Pub recently reopening their doors this year.
A new addition to the Makati beer scene is Three Foxes Craft Beer, a humble brewery that opened in early 2022. The taproom, which describes itself as a “hole in the wall with a laid-back ambience,” offers a casual and quiet craft beer spot in Makati for those who want to enjoy quality drinks minus the usual crowds.
Reasonably priced beer choices (from P90 to P130 each) include Session Ale, American Pale Ale, West Coast IPA, Wheat Ale, Double IPA, and Raspberry Wheat Ale. Three Foxes also offers a few food options for dine-in customers including Chinese and Filipino comfort food like fried dumplings, salt and pepper squid, and classic lumpia. Beer to go/delivery is also available.
Three Foxes Craft Beer is located at Unit 1C Pride Rock Place, 2003 Edison St, San Isidro, Makati, Metro Manila. It's open daily from Tuesdays to Thursdays from 4-9 p.m., Fridays to Saturdays from 4-10 p.m., and Sundays from 4-8 p.m.
Pierre’s Reserve
Looking for a craft beer spot with a speakeasy vibe to meet up with colleagues or enjoy a classy late-night date? Pierre’s Reserve along Katipunan Avenue fits the bill just right.
Opened in December 2021, Pierre’s Reserve is a sleek watering hole, with the same mysterious den-like atmosphere as the well-loved original Pierre’s Cellar and Smokehouse in Tomas Morato.
The new venue has space for 30 taps and has a private events room that can be enclosed, as well as a cigar and whisky bar at the back. Pierre’s Reserve also has a full kitchen with good bar chow options like mac and cheese balls, chicken wings, and freshly made premium sausages that diners can pair with their beers.
Pierre’s Reserve is located at 219 YDG Building Blue Ridge Katipunan Avenue, Brgy. Milagrosa, Quezon City. It's open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
El Deposito Brewery
The San Juan area near Greenhills is home to a lot of good neighborhood haunts and El Deposito Brewery, inspired by the historic old underground reservoir that sits under the city, is definitely worth hunting down.
Since it opened in May 2021, the cozy watering hole and nano-brewery has become very popular with bikers as it offers an airy outdoor space to just chill out and enjoy local craft beer with friends.
You can order food from Flossom Kitchen and Cafe in the same complex or pair your beers with baked oysters from the food stall Oista. For non-beer drinkers, there’s also a new coffee kiosk at the back of the space, so you can easily transition from one brew to the next during your meet-ups.
Take note that parking in the area is very limited, so it’s best to just take a Grab service here or bike going here.
El Deposito Brewery is located at 187 N. Averilla St., Santa Lucia, San Juan, Philippines. It's open from 3 p.m. to 12 midnight daily.
Cheers to the weekend!