Crazy Carabao IPA
Crazy Carabao IPA is an India Pale Ale (IPA) style beer produced by Crazy Carabao Brewing Company, a craft beer brand from the Philippines. As the company's flagship product, it has garnered acclaim both domestically and internationally. Characterized by tropical fruit aromas and a robust hop bitterness, the beer incorporates Asian-inspired flavors into the traditional IPA profile. It is served in various locations across the Philippines, including Iloilo, and is noted for its compatibility with the local food culture.
- Taste Rating
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It has a solid bitterness but also a slight creaminess, and perhaps because of the fruit, the flavor is quite complex.
- Price
- 220 Philippine Peso
- Meal Date
- 5/3/2025
- Food Travel Log
- Impressions and events about food I ate around the world.
AI Gourmet Analysis
Overview
Crazy Carabao IPA is a craft beer of the India Pale Ale (IPA) style produced by the Crazy Carabao Brewing Company, based in the Philippines. Founded in 2014, the brand has contributed to the expansion of the local craft beer market in the tropical Philippines. Originating in the UK, IPA is characterized by its strong hop bitterness and aroma, as well as a robust malt body. Crazy Carabao IPA draws attention for its unique Asian twist, with flavors reminiscent of tropical fruits.
History and Background
Crazy Carabao Brewing Company has enhanced the popularity of craft beer in the Philippines—where beer culture is still developing—by offering a diverse range of beer styles closely connected to the local food culture. The brewery is managed by brewers from the UK, USA, and Australia, using not only imported ingredients but also some locally sourced fruits. IPA as a style was originally developed with a high hop content to increase shelf life during long-distance transport, and its characteristic bitterness and rich aroma have recently gained worldwide popularity.
Characteristics and Production
Ingredients, Aroma, and Flavor
Crazy Carabao IPA is distinctive for its nuances of tropical fruits such as pineapple and citrus—typical of the Philippines—alongside the standard malt, hops, water, and yeast. Its alcohol content is around 6.5%, similar to many IPAs. The beer exhibits a strong, balanced bitterness, a pleasantly citrusy aroma, and a moderate malt sweetness. It has a creamy mouthfeel with complex, interwoven fruity notes, crafted to pair well with local ingredients.
Style and International Recognition
India Pale Ale (IPA) was originally brewed in the British colonial era for export to India, but has since sparked a worldwide craft beer boom—especially with American IPAs. Crazy Carabao IPA has frequently earned high marks at craft beer competitions in the Asia-Pacific region, and is drawing attention among craft beer enthusiasts both at home and abroad as a "modern IPA from the Philippines."
Pairing with Food and Drinking Culture
IPAs are known for their strong hop bitterness and fruity aromas, pairing well with robustly flavored meat dishes, spicy Asian food, and fried foods. In the Philippines, it is common to enjoy IPA alongside grilled meats, adobo, fried spring rolls, and barbecue. The beer is widely enjoyed at outdoor beer gardens, restaurants, and bars.
Social Significance and Regional Economic Impact
The introduction of Crazy Carabao IPA has accelerated the growth of the local craft beer market in the Philippines, offering a new beer experience to the younger generation and foreign tourists alike. By collaborating with local agriculture and using some locally sourced fruits and ingredients, it serves as a model for sustainable production and distribution.