Name: Manila Vanilla
Brewer: Banayad Craft Brew (Philippines)
Style: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer (Base Style: Sweet Stout)
ABV: 7%
Review Year: 2020
Our first review for the Manila-based Banayad Craft Brew centers on Manila Vanilla, a stout brewed with lactose, coffee, tablea, and, as the name suggests, vanilla.
Banayad Craft Brew is headed by brewer Marc Balanon. The earliest public appearance Banayad has made was back in early 2019 when they first released the Banayad Spiced Stout. Aside from this, previous offerings from them include the Garcias Tableya Stout, Hermano IPA, and DakotaMNL Pale Ale among many others.
STYLE GUIDELINES
This beer is being evaluated as a Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer (30A) with the Sweet Stout (16A) as the base style in the context of the 2015 Beer Style Guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). The most current version of the guidelines can be found on the BJCP website.
TASTING NOTES
Manila Vanilla appears black with a white thin head. A closer look reveals a beer that is deep brown and is slightly clear. The vanilla immediately makes its presence felt on the nose and is joined by a delightful interplay of peanut butter, medium roast coffee, and milk chocolates.
This Sweet Stout has a medium-light body, moderately low carbonation, and a soft and silky mouthfeel. The flavor base is dominantly malty and accentuates the flavors contributed by the added ingredients. In particular, Manila Vanilla has distinct cacao maltiness and lactose sweetness that give an overall chocolate character. An impression of dark roast malt is noted but just enough to provide a bitter backbone. Hints of tartness at the back end to add some complexity.
Banayad’s Sweet Stout leaves the palate sticky and oily with an aftertaste that lingers with hints of cacao maltiness and lactose sweetness.
THE VERDICT
Our first review on a Banayad beer is definitely a memorable one. Overall, Manila Vanilla is a Sweet Stout that balances delightful aromas, flavors, and drinkability with a nice touch of chocolate and vanilla. Without a doubt, Manila Vanilla is now one of our go-to stouts, just in time for the rainy season.
For more updates from Banayad Craft Brew, be sure to follow them on Instagram.
