Red Horse

Red Horse is one of the beers we enjoyed the most during this trip, and by far one of the best Asian beers we have tasted. Brewed by San Miguel Brewery and launched in 1982, it was the Philippines' first extra-strong beer. It is a strong beer, fuller-bodied than most local beers, but this strength never comes at the expense of taste. It remains tasty, round, with a strong character that we have learned to appreciate.

In terms of numbers, it does not play in the same league as classic beers. In the Philippines, it is typically 6.9 percent ABV, and up to 8 percent ABV in some foreign markets, making it one of the strongest beers in the country, where most Philippine beers hover around 5 percent ABV. It is an amber lager, with a deep golden color, with a slightly sweet taste nicely balanced by a gentle bitterness.

It can be found almost everywhere in the Philippines, and it quickly became our default choice at aperitif time. Accompanied by other drinks, it will have made us spend some of the most memorable evenings of the stay, those where we meet both locals and people from elsewhere, remaking the world in a beach bar at two in the morning.

A little clarification though: the Red Horse strength is clearly higher than average, and alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. It is best enjoyed in moderation, and always in good company.