Beer in the Philippines

Alak

The indigenous in the Philippines have long enjoyed drinking alcoholic beverages. It is locally called alak and was a fixture in very important events in history. Palm wine was present in the Sandugo Ceremony of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Datu Sikatuna in Bohol, Philippines. It was also the main reason for the Basi Revolt of 1907 when the Spanish occupation outlawed production of Basi and locals were forced to buy wine at seller's price in government outlets.

The consumption of alak was an important rite in the pagan rituals of pre-colonial Philippines. The lambanog, tuba and basi are an important part of the Philippines' drinking culture. These are one of the few remnants of its tribal past.

Spanish Period

The Spanish period can be credited for the introduction of foreign alcoholic drinks to Filipinos. Jerez wine was introduced to Ilustrados through the demand for its importation by the colonists. Soon beer made its way to Manila through English, Dutch and German merchants in Binondo. Although it took a while before Filipinos learned and grew to liking these foreign alcoholic beverages.

"The new lager beers developed in the 1850s, after all, kept well and took kindly to long sea voyages. In its issue of October 5, 1890, the trade journal Gaceta de Manila listed among the month's importations 58,886 liters of beer and cider..." ("Beer Drinking in the Philippines, Philippine Beer).

San Miguel Brewery

Its beginnings can be traced to September of 1890. It was the 29th of September when La Fabrica de Cerveza de San Miguel was set to be inaugurated--it was the feast day of its patron saint, Michael the Archangel. Typhoon season did not permit this event to push through until the 4th of October. "Manila's elite in their open carriages turned up for the much awaited inaugural at No. 6 Calzada de Malacañang, next door to the Governor General's Palace." (San Miguel Corporation Centennial Celebration book).

"One of the alcaldes, undoubtedly quite happy, raised his mug of beer and offered an extravagant toast: 'I drink to the prosperity of the brewery, and I wish that each time the faucets of the beer barrel are opened, doblones will flow forth!'"

It offered the first beer brewed in the Philippines and was in fact, the first brewery established in Southeast Asia. Although before 1890 beer consumed in Manila came from Europe and beer was never embraced by Spaniards unlike wine, it was quickly loved by Filipinos.

During the American period, San Miguel beer quickly took over the market. It quickly eliminated demand for European beer. This would explain the scarcity of European or any foreign beer in the market today.

It has become the 10th largest brewery worldwide in terms of production volume in 1990.

Today, it offers 8 different styles in the Philippines: San Miguel Pale Pilsen, San Miguel Light, San Miguel Strong Ice, San Miguel Super Dry, San Miguel Draft Beer, San Miguel Premium Lager, Cerveza Negra and Red Horse Extra Strong Beer. Among its different styles, San Miguel Pale Pilsen is the leading brand in terms of demand and sale.

Trivia lifted from Wikipedia: In the television series Friends when they would drink beer at parties San Miguel bottles were often used because the bottle is recognizable from its shape.