My craft beer journey didn’t start with fancy tasting notes or beer rating apps. It started with curiosity.
The first craft beers I remember drinking were Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Allagash White, and Magic Hat #9. Compared to the usual beers I had been drinking, they were completely different. They had real flavor, unique styles, and made me realize there was an entire world of beer waiting to be explored.
Then Iron Hill Brewery opened a brewpub in Maple Shade, New Jersey. That place changed everything.
Iron Hill quickly became one of my favorite hangouts. That’s where I met members of the South Jersey Fermentation Club, a group of passionate homebrewers who loved sharing ideas, recipes, and—of course—beer.
Before long, I was brewing my own.
Like most homebrewers, I started with beer, but it didn’t stop there. Over the years I’ve also made wine, hard cider, and hard seltzers. There’s something incredibly satisfying about creating a drink from scratch, making adjustments with each batch, and sharing it with friends.
One of the coolest things about the homebrewing community is where it can lead. Some of the friends I met through the South Jersey Fermentation Club eventually opened Third State Brewing in Burlington, New Jersey, which is where I found the Burlington Running Club. Looking back, that’s where my two favorite hobbies really started coming together.
My craft beer journey has followed me wherever I’ve traveled and lived. It started in South Jersey, continued after moving to Jacksonville, Florida, and now it’s about to begin an exciting new chapter in Manila. I’m looking forward to discovering the breweries, taprooms, and craft beer community throughout the Philippines. Every city has its own beer culture, its own stories, and its own people who are passionate about brewing. I can’t wait to experience it firsthand.
That’s really what The Manila Beer Runner is all about. Here’s to new beers, new places, and new friends.
Run. Sip. Repeat.