The women driving the Philippines’ thriving craft beer scene

Palawan, a paradise island in the southwest Philippines, is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and hidden lagoons.

Recently, however, this secluded gem has also gained the attention of craft beer lovers, thanks to the island’s pioneering craft brewery.

Claimed to be the first women-operated brewery in the Philippines, Palaweño Brewery – based in Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s largest city – uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients to craft their beers.

The brewery’s offerings range from the hoppy Ayahay IPA to the Honey Kölsch, a “tribal beer” brewed with Palawan’s native honey.

“Most of our visitors have traveled halfway across the world to get here,” shares Ayah Javier, founder and brewmaster of Palaweño Brewery.

“When we brew our beers, we want them to capture the essence of Palawan. We strive to reflect the island in our recipes, using local ingredients like our unique Palawan honey – we actually have three different types of honey here.”

A taste of home

The idea took root about six years ago while Javier was living in San Diego, California.

After sampling her first craft beer, she was instantly captivated – but it wasn’t just the flavor that drew her in.

Javier also recognized a unique business opportunity.

“The craft beer scene exploded in San Diego. I thought, this could be a refreshing change for the Philippines,” Javier recalls.

“So I returned to the Philippines, bought a brewing kit… and began experimenting.”

“We chose Palawan because it’s truly a paradise. We came here and instantly fell in love. Completely head over heels,” says Javier.

And what was missing from this tropical beach haven? A cold, refreshing craft beer.

In 2012, Javier and her business partner Malu Lauengco let the idea simmer. They hosted “Ayahay Nights,” informal house parties where they tested out their beer recipes with friends.

Five years later, their experimental efforts seem to have paid off.

Something in the water

Inside the no-frills wooden taproom and brewery, visitors will find a simple, family-oriented experience.

“Every day, we rise at six and start brewing by seven,” says Javier. “From bottling to labeling, everything is done by hand.”

To meet increasing demand, the team manually labels nearly 1,200 cases each month, which are then distributed to local bars, hotels, and restaurants.

For a tasting experience, guests can enjoy their beers at the cozy wooden bar or relax in the open-air courtyard.

Crafted to combat the island’s heat and humidity, the brewery’s core beers draw inspiration from across the globe, featuring styles like Belgian wheat beer and American amber ale – all with a local twist.

At any given time, the brewery offers around five core recipes along with a few seasonal creations, such as coconut cream ale and summer mango IPA.

The brewers don’t need to look far for their ingredients, gathering chili and spices from their own backyard, while sourcing coconuts, mangoes, and honey from local producers.

But according to Javier, the most essential ingredient is the water.

“There are four key ingredients in beer: water, barley, hops, and yeast,” she explains.

“What makes it truly local is the water – so fresh and pure.”