A surefire way to get to your man’s heart (and belly!) is to give him a beer gift basket or a beer bouquet. My love gift to my husband doesn’t resemble a bouquet or even include a basket because I knew then that he would prefer a simple wrapping (actually, it was just me being lazy!) 🙂

I found the perfect “macho” gift at a beer store in Magallanes. My original idea was to surprise him with a DIY Ferrero Rocher chocolate bouquet (with flowers) but I ended up considering other items which can be placed and made into a bouquet. His recent supermarket hauls included bottles of beer so that gave me the idea.

My husband rarely hangs out and drinks at bars so I assumed that he haven’t tasted any craft beers yet. I searched for imported beers online because the gift wouldn’t be as special if I purchase beers at the supermarket and in sari-sari stores. I’m glad that I found the Global Beer Exchange online by the end of January. I sent a message asking them to recommend a few must-try craft beers within my PhP 1,000 budget.

Global Beer Exchange offers specialty beers to the Philippine market. They import specialty premium beers from small independent micro-breweries in United States, Canada, Belgium, Scotland and Japan.

Why are craft beers special? Craft Beers are perfectly brewed (in their purest forms) using only 4 ingredients of the highest quality: water, malt, hops, and yeast. Resto bars offer craft beers at higher prices so if I were you, I would personally visit their bottle shop and tasting room.

My 3 bestfriends – Janneth, Charm, and Ivory – joined me with the hunt. I haven’t given Ray a present for quite a while so I really meant to move heaven and earth just to go check their beers.

From left to right: Easy drinking to more aggressive bitter beers. To know the bitterness level of beers, check their IBU (International Bittering Units or Bitterness Units Scale). I’d like to thank one of their staff for educating me about craft beers, and of course Mr. Jim Araneta for bringing his passion for quality beers here in the country.

Gordon Biersch Hefeweizen. Brewed by Gordon Biersch Brewing Company in San Jose, California. A Bavarian-style wheat beer. Its citrus and banana flavors and low bitterness level makes it a perfect drink for ladies.

Gordon Biersch Marzen. Brewed by Gordon Biersch Brewing Company in San Jose, California. It was historically brewed in Bavaria from March through the end of October, hence the name “Marzen” (pronounced as maer-tsen). Hubby liked its caramel malt aftertaste and dark roasted aroma. He compared it with San Miguel’s Cerveza Negra, one of his favorite booze bottles.
 

Rogue Dead Guy Ale

Brewed by Rogue Ales Brewery in Newport, Oregon. It is a German-style Maibock (a type of a strong lager) brewed by using specifically Pacman ale yeast. Hubby said that it tastes similar to Red Horse Beer.
IBU: 40
Alcohol by Volume:
Price: PhP 185

Stone Pale Ale

Brewed by Stone Brewing Company in Escondido, California. Its deep amber color, enticing aroma, and flavors of pine and caramel made it my husband’s favorite.
IBU: 41
Alcohol by Volume: 5.4%
Price: PhP 160

Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

Brewed by Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville, California. A classic example of oatmeal stout with a deep garnet color. It smells like baked bread with toffee, raisins, dried cherries, and dark coffee. My husband snoozed right after he finished his bottle. 😀
IBU: 14
Alcohol by Volume: 5.8%
Price: PhP 160

Ballast Point Big Eye IPA – India Pale Ale

Brewed by Ballast Point Brewing Company in San Diego, California. Has a deep orange color with a bold, bitter taste. Ray mentioned that it’s one hell of a strong beer.
IBU: 75
Alcohol by Volume: 7.0%
Price: PhP 165

I was eyeing the Gordon Biersch Hefeweizen (pronounced as hay-fuh-veyt-sssenn) for myself. Too bad I’m pregnant and won’t be able to drink alcohol for a year due to breastfeeding. My husband enjoyed his craft beer experience and it’s enough to make my efforts worth it. I might go back to the shop to get a few bottles for my father. 🙂

Gordon Biersch 6-pack beer carrier

 

 
 
Global Beer Exchange Philippines
Location: Unit 103 Tritan Ventures Bldg., Paseo de Magallanes 1200, Makati City
facebook.com/GlobalBeerExchange

Published: 2013-03-18 22:49:20