Privatus Private Dining, a Manila-based premium catering business, and Monkey Eagle Brewery, a microbrewery that makes world-class beers, team up for an afternoon of beer appreciation and superb fare. The well-curated 5-course menu features Privatus Private Dining’s culinary creations paired with Monkey Eagle Brewery’s flagship craft beers.
Privatus Private Dining
Address: #8 F. Legaspi St., Brgy. Maybunga, Pasig
Telephone: +63 917 629 7453, +63 2 907 5457
Email: info@privatusprivatedining.com
Facebook: Privatus Private Dining
Instagram: @privatusmanila
Monkey Eagle Brewery
Address: Tagaytay City, Philippines
Email: info@monkeyeagle.com
Facebook: Monkey Eagle Brewery
Instagram: @monkeyeagleph
Monkey Eagle Brewery is a microbrewery serving world-class beers, all brewed from their base in Tagaytay. Although the owners started brewing a couple of years earlier, it was not until 2014 that a complete 50-liter brewery system was set up in the house of one of its founders that the company was officially founded.
The lunch starts off with their version of a Michelada – a salt-rimmed lemon-infused lager. Perfect starter drink for me – fruity with very little hints of bitterness.
Monkey Eagle Brewery’s (MEB) co-owner, Ricardo C. Lopa, Jr shares the story of how MEB came to be with a slight sidebar on the difference between commercial breweries and microbreweries.
Hors d’oeuvres (Black Sesame Rice Balls and Canapés) are served as the lecture moves on to discuss the main ingredients of craft beer. Heads nod and I hear a murmur of yeses as they touch on the antibacterial properties of hops – the main ingredient of beer.
First Course: Saison Farmhouse Ale paired with Pork and Salmon Sinuglaw
The slight hint of fruitiness from the Saison matched the bright notes of the Pork and Salmon Sinuglaw. The pork and salmon crackling also provided a great contrast to the soft textures of the Sinuglaw.
Second Course: Blue Wheat American Pale Wheat Ale paired with Baked Oysters
This medium-bodied American Pale Wheat Ale with a slight fruitiness and moderate bitterness works great with seafood and cheese. Privatus served this craft beer with four-cheese (Parmesan, Cheddar, Mozzarella, and Blue Cheese) baked Aklan oysters.
Third Course: Burning Matt Pale Ale and Radical Wagyu Sliders
This was one of the beers I easily drank without question – smooth, refreshing, and citrusy – and the exquisite pairing of the Wagyu Slider with crab fat sauce was so flavorful that I just kept wanting to chug and chow.
Fourth Course: Potion 28 India Pale Ale and Pickled Smoked Quail Eggs
Surprisingly, I liked this one the most although it’s said to be the most bitter of the lineup. Around this time, I was careful not to down it as they regard this beer as a “truth serum” after a couple of rounds. The pickling process piqued my curiosity as it made the quail eggs firmer than I expected.
Dessert: Unnamed Porter with Mini Lemon Cheesecake with Sea Salt
The lunch ends with a fine and tasteful lemon cheesecake with a 50:50 crust to filling ratio paired with a dark porter that’s still in the experimental brewing stages.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While I’m not originally a big fan of beer (or alcohol, in general), I did find myself downing most of the drinks. I’ve always found that utilizing an educational approach is a highly effective way for me to develop a sense of appreciation for something I’m unfamiliar with. Getting slightly tipsy at high noon may not have been the brightest of ideas, but the invaluable knowledge I gained more than makes up for it.
Whether you’re a beer connoisseur or just someone who would like to learn more about craft beer, this is an awesome event you should consider going to.
Privatus Private Dining and Monkey Eagle Brewery present “Beer Appreciation 101: The Ultimate Local Craft Beer and Food Pairing Experience” happening on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. in Privatus Private Dining located at #8 F. Legaspi Street, Brgy. Maybunga, Pasig City. The Beer Appreciation 101 fee is ₱ 800. For reservations and inquiries, please call (+63) 917 629 7453 and +63 2 907 5457 or e-mail sales.privatus@gmail.com
Live an Awesome Life,
Monique of Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Our meal was courtesy of Privatus Private Dining and Monkey Eagle Brewery. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Did you notice that their logo actually looks like the Philippine Monkey-eating Eagle?