'Going into the industry as a chef, I thought I was well prepared, but I’ll tell you I became more of a scientist making this beer.' A local brand in Cebu has been making waves in the craft beer industry. Bisaya Brew is not just another beer on the shelf—it's a testament to passion, perseverance, and the rich heritage of the Visayas.
The name "Bisaya Brew" is also more than a brand—it's a declaration of identity. "Bisaya Brew, because we are proudly Bisaya!" Matthew Lhuillier emphasizes. The entire brewing team lives within three miles of the facility, and many of them even commute together.
This sense of community is infused into every bottle, along with locally sourced ingredients that reflect the Visayas' rich culinary heritage. "We speak Bisaya, we are from the Visayas, and we incorporate local Bisaya ingredients into our brews each day," Matthew explains. The origin of Bisaya Brew is rooted in a deep belief in potential.
Matthew Lhuillier, along with his father Michael, ventured into the brewery business almost by accident. Initially, the Lhuilliers had no plans to start a brewery; they simply wanted to support the passion of their in-house chef, who dreamed of brewing beer for their restaurant. "We gave him the go-ahead to purchase the equipment without much foresight into what was needed to truly brew great beer, or even good beer," Matthew recalls.
However, the project quickly became a challenge. The chef, overwhelmed by the complexities of brewing, struggled wi.