BUST out the coolers and cozies! August 2nd is International Beer Day.
Today’s the day you’re encouraged to responsibly enjoy a crisp, cool, refreshing, bubbly beverage, however you like it.
Whether by a beach with some pars, or at the picnic table in your backyard, a can full of some liquid happiness makes gatherings nicer.
Now, it’s no secret that Marianas Variety is currently running it’s Best of the Marianas contest. We know that with the weekend here, some in the community might be inclined to arrange for a designated driver to take them bar hopping so they can celebrate International Beer Day the right way.
We visited all of our nominees from the Best Beer Selection category to help you decide how you want to say cheers to the weekend.
We started our night firmly in the Beer-muda Triangle, aka the eastern part of Palm Street in Garapan.
All kinds of beers are waiting for you at Godfather’s, Stella Artois, Chang, Asahi, and way, way more.
We stepped into Godfather’s Bar to chat with assistant manager Lourdes Montemayor, who wants the public to know that her establishment will hook you up with Pabst Blue Ribbon, Kona Brewing Co. Longboard Island Lager, Red Trolley Ale, and Breaking Bud IPA on tap. And good luck finding those brands on tap elsewhere, as Godfather’s is the only place they can be found on Saipan. Boss lady Montemayor is partial to the Red Trolley Ale herself, because it’s “smooth and strong.”
Lourdes Montemayor pours a beer you can only get at Godfather’s Bar—the “smooth and strong” Red Trolley Ale.
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. all draft beers—even the nonexclusive brands—go on happy hour special at $4.99. Also, Godfather’s Bar has built a solid reputation for being a pizza place, and their happy hour pizza specials feature $2.50 slices of cheese pizza, 18-inch whole cheese pizza for $12, and 18-inch whole peperoni pizza for $16.
Montemayor recommends an ice-cold mug of Blue Moon if you’re having a pizza slice. And, if you’re feeling like a flight of international beers, don’t forget Godfather’s Bar has Modelo, Stella Artois, Asahi, and Chang bottles too.
Right across the street, Max Garcia, Safehouse assistant manager, was showing us how their friends at The Guam Brewery take local flavor and make world-class beer.
You could have sworn that the Safehouse chiller was a portal to Hagatna or something, because it’s jam-packed with Guam Brewery staples like Halo Halo, Man Hita, MorningMorningMorning, and much more.
It’s craft beers galore and more at Safehouse. Don’t miss out on the Guam Brewery beverages, or any of the other fantastic finds you can get there—to include Stone Brewing Co., Rogue Ales and Spirits, and Guinness.
For Garcia, she says “hu guaiya hao” to the Hu Gose Hao.
“It’s a beer that, even though it’s not cold, you can still drink it,” she says. “Other beers you have to drink it while it’s still cold. This one is a sipper. It’s refreshing.”
By the way, Hu Gose Hao is a seasonal beer that’s made just once a year. So if you miss it, you miss out. This year, it’s flavored with pineapples.
Elsewhere at Safehouse, you can find Dos Equis, Heineken, Pacifico bottles and more.
Are seltzers beers? No. Will that stop you from shotgunning one at Safehouse? We hope not.
Do seltzers count as beer? No, but who cares. According to Garcia, the just-turned-21-crowd at Safehouse is partial to shotgunning seltzers. They also claim that seltzers “don’t give them hangovers.”
In Garcia’s observation, the young’uns enjoy Corona Refrescas as the shotgun ammo of choice.
Truly and Vizzy hard seltzers are available too, as are Arizona Hard teas.
From left, Pagan Secret Amber, Saipan Hazy IPA, Saipan Chagi Par IPA, and Managaha Summer Blonde.
But what if you want to go to a draft beer paradise? Make sure to visit Tapped Out, which is right across the American Memorial Park. They’re the exclusive purveyors of Napu Brewing Company’s craft beers on tap, which makes their beers right here on Saipan.
Napu Brewing Co. general manager Darrel Salas.
According to Napu Brewing’s general manager Darrel Salas, the demand for their beers keeps their fermenters busy.
“Everything here is exceptionally fresh,” Salas says. “The bar depletes inventory rather quick[ly].”
He says it takes about three weeks to brew the craft beers on tap, and that’s about the same amount of time customers finish the stock at Tapped Out.
“If I pull out one fermenter, it will roughly push out five to six five-gallon kegs and it’ll last until the next time we have to brew,” he says.
Tapped Out owner Perry Inos Jr. tells us the top three sellers at the bar are the Hazy IPA, Managaha Blonde, and Rota Pilsner.
The Hazy IPA is “full of flavor” but a “surprisingly smooth” experience with 6% alcohol by volume, Inos tells us.
It’s said that blondes have more fun, and we certainly enjoy a mug of the Managaha Blonde. Inos says the Managaha Blonde is a lighter option, for those who want something other than an IPA. We tasted some bright, fruity notes.
Inos says the Rota Pilsner is a fan favorite that’s a “favorite among our customers.” Look out for the “hop aroma and flavor” when enjoying this one, Inos says.
Brisket, ribs, fries and more go amazing with the Napu Brewing Co. products at Tapped Out.
And remember: Angry Penne runs their kitchen, so come hungry to Tapped Out. Ask for the brisket, ribs, and fries!
“Our customers love Tapped Out because of the exceptional service and warm, welcoming atmosphere provided by our managers and staff,” Inos says. “We take pride in offering high-quality food that pairs perfectly with our craft beers, ensuring a delightful dining experience. Our commitment to quality and hospitality keeps our customers coming back for more.”
From left, Nikko Guerrero, JP Isip, and Jeff Mendoza pose for a shot with the michelada and bucket of buds at Naked Fish.
Make sure you visit the reigning defending Beer Selection champions, Naked Fish.
Joe Guerrero, bar owner, tells Marianas Variety they are “very particular” about beer temperature in his establishment, and that you’d be sure to get a cold one when you come to Naked Fish.
Jeff Mendoza serves up a bucket of Bud products at Naked Fish.
Friday is the day to mix and match Budweiser products: five beers for $25.
Feeling adventurous? Try the local style michelada, which mixes up Worcestershire, lime juice, Tabasco, tomato juice, beer, and local style bishu for a zesty, full bodied but refreshing cocktail.
And if you want something on tap, order the 13.5-oz Asahi Draft. Happy hour special prices it at $3.99, so basically not only do you get 1.5 oz more beer than what’s found in a bottle, you also get it at a cheaper price.
Nikko preps a michelada at Naked Fish. We think it would go amazingly with some oyster shooters.
And while you’re there, you know you’re ordering food, right? How could you not, when Naked Fish has been an S-Tier bar and grill since ever since.
“We’re celebrating our 20th anniversary this year,” Guerrero says. “I think people come not only for the beers; they’re here for the food. Our clientele…want[s] to eat and drink.”
We don’t need to say it, but the garlic octopus and fried parrot fish are iconic. Guerrero also invites the public to try their biria tacos and biria dip as well.
“We do things that are not common,” he says. “We don’t try to copy, we try to invent ourselves. We try to offer food that nobody else offers on island. If someone is doing a dish well elsewhere, we don’t try to replicate it. We want them to be successful in their signature dish.”
Make sure to show our Best of the Marianas nominees some love by visiting them in person tonight. Also, help your favorite establishment top our contest by visiting mvariety.com/best_of_the_marianas. Take note that voting closes on Aug. 25.
And remember, if you drink and drive, DPS will throw you in jail. Drive sober or you’re lame.
