Founding

Engkanto was founded by Ian Paradies, who identified a gap in the domestic market where Filipino consumers had few beer choices beyond mainstream lagers. Seeking to offer higher quality and greater variety, he partnered with brewmaster Josh Karten to establish the brand’s first microbrewery in Makati City in 2017. The initial lineup featured five core styles: Lager, Blonde Ale, Pale Ale, IPA, and Double IPA. This period marked the beginning of the company’s efforts to make craft beer more accessible and engaging for the Philippine market.[1]

Expansion to Cavite

Rising demand necessitated a move to a larger production facility in Carmona, Cavite, in 2018. This expansion enabled increased output while allowing the brewery to continue experimenting with diverse styles and ingredients.[1]

The Carmona facility represents a significant investment in production and quality control infrastructure. It features an automated brewhouse, water treatment and softening systems, reverse-osmosis equipment, and a dedicated quality-assurance laboratory. Engkanto describes its automated bottling line as unique in the Philippines and notes that its QA laboratory is the first facility of its kind in the country.[1]

Evolution of brewing direction

In 2021, brewmaster Michael “MJ” Jordan assumed leadership of brewing operations. Under his guidance, the brewery refined its strategy of merging recognizable international beer styles with distinctively Filipino flavors. This approach led to the creation of beers incorporating local ingredients such as honey, mango, and ube, alongside traditional lagers, pale ales, and IPAs.[1]

The name Engkanto is derived from the Filipino folklore concept of an engkanto, or enchanted supernatural being. This reference reflects the brand’s identity, which favors an imaginative and distinctly Filipino aesthetic over conventional beer marketing. The company’s philosophy centers on courage, experimentation, and challenging the status quo of the local beer landscape. Rather than serving merely as a product label, the name signifies an intent to transform ordinary beer consumption into a more adventurous experience.[1]

Engkanto’s brand positioning is built upon several key pillars:

• Filipino-made, globally competitive: A central ambition is to prove that a Philippine brand can produce world-class beer. The company emphasizes that it is “proudly brewed in the Philippines” and aims to redefine perceptions of Filipino brewing.[1]
• Experimentation: Moving beyond traditional European styles, the brewery integrates local ingredients into its portfolio. Notable examples include Paint Me Purple Ube Lager, Mango Nation Hazy IPA, High Hive Honey Ale, Dalandan Wheat Ale, Passionfruit Sour, and Japanese Citrus Ale.[1]
• Accessibility: Despite the complexity often associated with craft beer, Engkanto prioritizes approachability. Its products are designed to balance quality with drinkability for local consumers.[1]
• Local ingredients and international technique: The brewery’s strategy combines global craft brewing standards with Filipino flavors, effectively applying international techniques through a local lens.[1]

While the original lineup consisted of five beers, Engkanto’s contemporary catalog has expanded significantly. Current categories include lagers, pale ales, IPAs, hazy IPAs, double/imperial IPAs, wheat ales, sour beers, stouts, specialty flavored beers, non-alcoholic options, and limited-edition releases. Specific products in the rotation include Japanese Citrus Ale, English Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, Passionfruit Sour, Choco Nut Stout, West Coast IPA, Wheat Ale, and Juicy Imperial IPA.

Signature beers

Several products have become defining elements of the brand:

• Live It Up Lager: A flagship offering representing the brand’s accessible side, this conventional lager is designed to be refreshing and has received recognition at the World Beer Awards.[1]
• High Hive Honey Ale: One of the brewery’s most awarded products, this beer exemplifies the fusion of a recognizable style with a distinct local flavor profile. It was named World’s Best Flavoured Beer (Honey & Maple Syrup) at the 2024 World Beer Awards and has won Gold (2023) and Bronze (2024) medals at the Australian International Beer Awards.[1]
• Paint Me Purple Ube Lager: Incorporating purple yam (ube), this beer is a direct expression of Filipino culinary identity and has been recognized at the World Beer Awards.
• Mango Nation Hazy IPA: This beer combines the modern hazy IPA format with tropical mango flavors and is a staple of the core lineup.[1]
• Green Lava Double IPA: Representing the hop-forward segment of the portfolio, this imperial IPA has earned country-level awards at the World Beer Awards.[1]

Non-alcoholic beer

Expanding beyond alcoholic beverages, Engkanto introduced Day Shift Non-Alcoholic Beer. Brewed with water, malt, hops, and yeast based on an Extra Pale Ale profile, it contains less than 0.5% ABV.[1]

Engkanto positions itself as the most internationally awarded local craft brewery in the Philippines, citing over 65 international accolades. Its beers have competed in major events including the World Beer Awards, Australian International Beer Awards, Asia Beer Championship, and Philippine Craft Beer Cup.[1]

Recent achievements highlight continued competitiveness. In 2024, High Hive Honey Ale secured the World’s Best title in its category at the World Beer Awards. More recently, Good Game Pale Ale won Silver at the 2026 World Beer Awards.

Domestically, Engkanto has emerged as a leading competitor. At the 2025 Philippine Craft Beer Cup, it was named Champion Brewer, with Summer Fling Passionfruit Sour also receiving recognition.[2] The brewery retained the Champion Brewer of the Year title at the 2026 Philippine Craft Beer Cup, competing against 19 breweries and 83 beers across 13 categories.[2]

Beyond retail distribution, Engkanto operates dedicated Engkanto Taps locations that serve as venues for experiencing seasonal and limited releases not always available commercially. As of 2026, reported locations include Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Forbestown in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; NBS Park in Mandaluyong; and Bridgetowne in Quezon City.[3]

The Bridgetowne location, which opened in 2026, serves as the fourth Taps venue and extends the brand’s reach to Quezon City, Marikina, San Juan, Rizal, and eastern Metro Manila.[3]

The Carmona brewery reflects a commitment to balancing craft creativity with industrial-scale consistency. The facility utilizes automated brewing and bottling equipment alongside specialized water treatment and quality assurance systems. This infrastructure supports the production of consistent, high-volume output while maintaining the flexibility required for experimental small-batch brewing.[1]

Engkanto distinguishes itself by framing its business as people-centric rather than solely focused on beverage production. Its corporate communications emphasize creativity, risk-taking, and adventure, describing the brand as being “in the people business” with a goal of fostering a courageous lifestyle.[4] This personality is reinforced through narrative-driven product names such as Paint Me Purple, Mango Nation, Green Lava, High Hive, Live It Up, and Hop Coolture, which avoid purely technical nomenclature in favor of playful branding.

Engkanto occupies a unique space in the Philippine beer market by bridging the gap between mainstream accessibility and craft innovation. While retaining the drinkability associated with commercial lagers, it introduces stronger flavors, experimental ingredients, and international quality standards. This approach has helped transition craft beer from a niche curiosity to a recognizable consumer category in the Philippines.

Internationally, the company is expanding into markets across Asia, Australia, and the United States. Unlike brands that mimic imported styles, Engkanto leverages its Filipino origin as a core component of its appeal, aiming to prove that local brewing can be culturally distinctive and globally competitive simultaneously.[1]

Engkanto represents several concurrent developments in Philippine food and beverage culture. It is among the country’s most prominent modern craft breweries and exemplifies the localization of global trends through the adaptation of international styles to Filipino tastes. Its use of cultural storytelling, combined with professionalized manufacturing and consistent international success, has elevated the visibility of Philippine-made beer. As of 2026, the brand has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in the local industry, with a portfolio ranging from approachable lagers to experimental specialties and a growing domestic and international footprint.

1. Our Story – Engkanto
2. Engkanto & Mitchell’s share the honours at Philippine Craft Beer Cup – Asia Brewers Network
3. Engkanto taps the north with new Quezon City taproom
4. Engkanto Brewery | LinkedIn