Beer meets art as Craftpoint Brewing Co. launches three new brews

Do you really need art on beer? It's supposedly the most manong drink out there, with no frills and best known for being two very specific things: cold and cheap.

The craft beer scene in Manila is slowly working on changing your mind about that, coming out with bottled creations that are decidedly not cheap and with flavors that last beyond below zero. Yes, flavors.

You can staunchly cling to the taste of beer with a host of available ales on the market (like Crows Craft Brewing, Turning Wheels Craft Brewery, and Katipunan Craft Ales), but brewers like Craftpoint Brewing Co. are catering to a broader market—making it their mission to give you more options than apple- and lemon-flavored beer. Not that those are not refreshing fruits, they just thought maybe you wanted to have some coconuts...or mangoes...with chili. Maybe you want a beer that still tastes palatable, or heck, even good when it's a little warm.

A sip of a near-room temperature Makiling Magma (mango with chili beer) might encourage you to nurse your bottle. The warmer it gets, the more the flavor surfaces. Then there's Mayari, a "garden ale" that's infused with chamomile lavender; and Buhawi, a toasted coconut brown ale. Both are on the sweet side.

On the label are illustrations specifically done for the beers by Tokwa Peñaflorida (Mayari), Dee Jae Pa'este (Makiling Magma), and Electrolychee (Buhawi)...but really, try it for the beer. It's usually what's inside that counts. — BM, GMA News

Craftpoint Brewing Co. is at EDSA Beverage Design Studio along EDSA, near Connecticut Street, Greenhills.