In a historic first for the Philippines, Engkanto Brewery’s High Hive Honey Ale has been crowned the World’s Best Beer at the 2024 World Beer Awards (WBA).
This remarkable achievement marks a milestone for the local craft beer industry, with Engkanto Brewery sweeping an unprecedented six medals in various categories at the prestigious competition.
Engkanto Brewery has consistently brought pride to the Philippines, having participated in the World Beer Awards for four consecutive years.
The annual competition, which began in 2007 and is held in the United Kingdom, attracts entries from over 30 countries, including brewing powerhouses like Germany, Belgium, and the United States.
This year, the competition saw a significant increase in entries, further underscoring the magnitude of Engkanto’s triumph.
The High Hive Honey Ale, which secured the top spot in the Flavored Honey and Maple Syrup beer category, bested over 70 entries from countries such as Canada, France, the Netherlands, and Brazil.
This victory marks the first time a Philippine craft beer has won such a prestigious award on an international stage.
In addition to the High Hive Honey Ale’s win, all of Engkanto’s entries at this year’s WBA were recognized with honors.
The brewery’s Live It Up Lager and Green Lava Double IPA both took home Gold Medals and were named Country Winners in their respective categories. Meanwhile, the Mango Nation Hazy IPA, Paint Me Purple Ube Lager, and Dew Drop Dalandan Wheat Ale each secured Silver Medals.
A key factor in the success of High Hive Honey Ale is the use of high-quality, pure local honey sourced from Philippine bee farms and apiaries. “I’m super stoked and proud of this accomplishment! The fact we’re using local honey is so cool as it really lets the world know that we have top-class ingredients along with a talented team in our brewery,” said Michael ‘MJ’ Jordan, Engkanto’s renowned Brewmaster.
This commitment to showcasing local ingredients extends to other Engkanto beers, which feature Philippine-grown mangoes, ube, and dalandan.
These ingredients, combined with innovative brewing techniques and continuous process improvements, ensure that Engkanto continues to produce distinctive and celebrated craft beers.
Reflecting on the brewery’s achievements, Engkanto’s Managing Director, Ricard Basora, expressed his pride in the team’s work and the significance of their success. “Who would’ve thought that a small craft brewery in the Philippines can reach the highest level in brewing the World’s Best Beer, right? The team’s putting in amazing work while sticking to our roots: quality first. We’ve been winning awards for consecutive years, but we’re not stopping in making the best beers possible.”
As Engkanto Brewery continues to innovate and create, it is clear that the world is taking notice of Filipino craft beer. This year’s awards are not just a victory for Engkanto but also a testament to the potential of the Philippine craft beer industry on the global stage.
The World Beer Awards is part of the prestigious World Drinks Awards, which annually recognizes the best in beverages through rigorous, blind-tasting evaluations by an esteemed panel of experts from around the globe.
This year’s panel was led by Pete Brown, a renowned author and beer expert who has judged beer competitions worldwide. The competition includes categories such as World’s Best Lager, IPA, Wheat Beer, and Flavored Beer.
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