Craft beer guru, Jim Araneta, reveals the yays and nays of brewing.
The craft beer trend has exploded over the past year, with many customers looking for an experience above and beyond what so-called “corporate beers” have offered in the past. Craft beer guru Jim Araneta is loving every second of it.
Jim is the owner of The Global Beer Exchange, a craft beer distribution company, and of The Bottle Shop. Driven by his passion for all things cold and hoppy, Jim has even collaborated with local brewer Cebruery to produce his own craft beers: Guru, Up Yours and Pioneer.
According to Jim, the beauty of craft beer is in the wide range of choices and complexity of flavors, which is what he wants to share with us today.
LOOK FOR:
✓ High quality, all-natural ingredients. The barley, hops and water used in making the beer should be clean and of high quality, as well as the ingredients used to add flavor, such as fruits, nuts, etc. There should be no preservatives, chemicals or additives.
✓ No pasteurization. Pasteurizing, or heating beer lets it last longer but also kills the flavor.
✓ Brown bottles, cans or kegs. Clear or green bottles don’t protect the beer inside from UV rays and heat which may affect the flavor.
JIM SAYS: “Once they put [preservatives or artificial flavors] in the beer, they’re reducing the cost of the beer to mass market it. It makes it less costly, but it takes away the goodness of the beer.”
KEY MISTAKE:
X – Improper storage. Beers must be kept away from sunlight and heat as much as possible and kept in a cool place.
X – Drinking out of a bottle or can. You want drink your beer out of a glass, just like wine. The flavor changes as it gets exposed to air and different temperatures.
X – Drinking it too cold. You don’t want a warm beer, but you don’t want a frozen beer either. Your beer shouldn’t be colder than 2-degrees Centigrade.
JIM SAYS: “[Sub-zero temperature] numbs the palate so you don’t taste the beer as much. That’s why mass marketed beer is sold below zero.”
WATCH OUT FOR:
X – Artificial flavoring. Using flavored syrups is a cheap, common way to add flavors to beer, as opposed to using real ingredients. Find out where your beer’s flavor comes from.
X – Misleading packaging. Your beer might be packaged to look like a craft beer but is actually full of extenders.
JIM SAYS: You’re definitely paying for value when it comes to craft beer. The price shouldn’t go below P150 SRP per bottle. If it’s too cheap, there’s something wrong.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
✓ For first timers – It’s safest to ask for a wheat beer (ex. Hitachino White Ale or Gordon Biersch Hefeweizen).
✓ For the more adventurous – Pale ales have very well balanced flavors. (ex. Pioneer, Anderson Valley)
✓ For true hopheads – IPAs and beyond are strong, bitter beers best for experienced beer drinkers. (ex. Guru, Up Yours).
✓ There’s a huge selection, so don’t be afraid to ask your servers for advice. They’re all well trained by Jim himself, so they can help pick the beer that’s right for you.
JIM SAYS: I like drinking IPAs in general because they’re light to medium bodied, but still refreshing and packed with flavor and aroma.
Are you ready to go on your own craft beer adventure? Check out The Bottle Shop on the Booky app and make a reservation!
Reservations are accepted
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BGC Branch / Magallanes Branch
+63 2 886 6939
