Getting into craft beers can be challenge. After years of juggling between the same two or three beers from big-name breweries, facing the many choices independent, small-batch outfits have to offer could be confusing – even intimidating.

But don’t fret: if you don’t know the difference between an IPA and an NDA, Free Flow Bohemian Pilsner may be the gateway brew for you.

Courtesy of Monkey Eagle Brewery

The four-person team behind Tagaytay’s Monkey Eagle Brewery decided to add a pilsner/lager-type beer – the variety most familiar to the Filipino palate – to its growing line of craft concoctions. Normally, you would expect a small operation such as theirs to stick to less typical varieties, but it seems Monkey Eagle has taken on a special challenge: making a brew every beerhaus tito knows and loves, and elevating it.

“Our inspiration comes from being fortunate enough to spend time in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria where we learned of these techniques,” said Monkey Eagle’s Rich Lopa. “We wanted to share this experience with people in our country by making a lager that is authentic and as fresh as can be.”

And fresh it is: Free Flow is a crisp, clean-tasting beer, familiar to our tastebuds, but smoother. It has a pleasant bitterness – nothing too aggressive – so it’s very easy to drink. You could bring some Free Flow to a party and most guests would likely go for it.

Courtest of Monkey Eagle Brewery

“Just like a recipe with food, we try out different combinations of hops, malt, and other ingredients,” Lopa, when asked about how they develop a new craft variety, explained. “We then offer it to our Monkey Eagle Beer Club, our friends, and family. After receiving their feedback and remarks, we adjust and develop further until we come out with a beer that we believe people will truly enjoy.”

With its accessible flavor and sophisticated smoothness, Free Flow may just be the people pleaser they were going for.

To try Free Flow alongside the rest of Monkey Eagle’s craft lineup, you can also order their Christmas packages, which range from P650 for a 4-pack to P3,000 for a case. You can order through the Monkey Eagle site. – Rappler.com

You can also order Monkey Eagle beers from Boozy or Shopee!