In a two-day festival of industry movers and shakers, international beer tasting and competition, and all out fun, Brew Asia 2023 hosted by the Asia Brewers Network in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from October 19 to 20 delivered all the great stuff and spilled some more. 

Team Engkanto represented the Philippines together with other local brewers and shared the floor with big names in brewing from Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Singapore, to name a few. Ricard Basora, Engkanto’s Managing Director, flew in as a panelist for the forum session: “STAY IN YOUR LANE! Maintaining Uniqueness In An Increasingly Busying Marketplace.” 

Engkanto Brewery Managing Director Ricard Basora on stage for one of the forum sessions at Brew Asia 2023. 

“It was so exciting to see a vibrant environment! Friends from all over Asia sharing experiences and new stuff, together with suppliers showing the latest trend and their own R&D. Every year, it's getting more and more professional, with top notch speakers and so many quality products." Ricard Basora, Managing Director for Engkanto 

The attendees keen on trying out new beer variants from participating breweries found delight in tasting our creamy and delicious Paint Me Purple! Ube Lager, which proudly featured the Filipino staple on the big stage. 

Tasting session of Engkanto craft beers with international brewers and festival attendees. 

Meanwhile, Engkanto Brewmaster Michael ‘MJ’ Jordan was also in Vietnam and was once again ecstatic to finally try the Witch Dance Ume & Osmanthus Black Lager, an international collaboration beer with Vietnam-based Heart of Darkness Brewery. 

Engkanto Brewmaster Michael ‘MJ’ Jordan at the taproom of Heart of Darkness Brewery in Vietnam. 

“For me it was great to do an international collaboration brew again as it had been several years! Getting the opportunity to work with Heart of Darkness was awesome as I respect their brand and beers so much! I enjoyed seeing Vietnam and tasting the beer at their event - the lechon bao's were a cool touch to the event. We brought some cans home so it will be fun to taste with the team. Who knows, maybe we'll repeat the collab beer in the Philippines!”  Michael ‘MJ’ Jordan, Brewmaster for Engkanto

Topping all the events that transpired at Brew Asia 2023 was Mango Nation Hazy IPA taking home the Chairman’s Selection for the first time in the recent Asia Beer Championship. The judging took place during the two-day event wherein the panel consisted of professionally trained international brewers from around the world. 

“We are very happy getting our Mango Nation awards in such a competitive environment. Depending on the competition some of our beers perform better than others but this is such a great award for us,” says Ricard. 

Engkanto Brewmaster MJ (leftmost) receives the Chairman’s Selection recognition for Mango Nation Hazy IPA. 

At the conclusion of Brew Asia 2023, Asia Brewers Network announced that the next festival will be held in Singapore in October 2024. 

*All images courtesy of Asia Brewers Network/Brew Asia 2023