San Miguel vs The World: Red Horse vs Cass Beer (South Korea)

When it comes to beer, Filipinos know their stuff. In this series, we’ll be pitting our very own San Miguel brand beers against various brands around the world to see how we hold up. The Philippines and South Korea each have their iconic heavy hitters: Red Horse and Cass Beer. These two brands represent the distinct drinking cultures of their respective countries, but when put head-to-head, which one reigns supreme? We’ll be taking a look at their kick, taste, value for money, and most importantly chugability in our newest series: San Miguel vs The World!

The Contenders

Red Horse: The Pinoy Kick

San Miguel Brewery’s Red Horse Beer is the Philippines’ most famous strong beer, known for its high alcohol content (6.9%) and smooth yet potent taste. It’s a staple in Filipino drinking sessions in street-side “inuman” gatherings or high-energy karaoke nights. The beer’s malty, slightly sweet profile combined with a strong finish makes it a favorite among those looking for a solid buzz.

Cass Beer: Korea’s Refreshing Favorite

South Korea’s Cass Beer, produced by Oriental Brewery, is a lighter, crisp lager with an alcohol content of around 4.5%. It’s the go-to beer in Korea, often paired with KBBQ, fried chicken, or soju for the ultimate “Somaek” (soju + beer) experience. Cass is known for being highly carbonated and easy to drink, making it a favorite for casual social settings.

Kick and Taste

From the alcohol content alone its obvious that Red Horse will be leading this one. Nothing beats the oomf of Red Horse, and Cass barely holds a candle its strength. If we’re talking taste, we certainly enjoyed the crisp and refreshing flavor of Cass beer. While Red Horse is good for drinkers who want that hit right away, Cass will let you cruise through the night without the heavy buzz.

In terms of pure strength, Red Horse takes it, but Cass wins hands down for a smooth drinking experience.

Value for Money

Pinoys love their cheap beer. We picked up a couple 330ml cans of Red Horse from a nearby Uncle Johns for Php74 pesos. Most effective you can get for the price, but the taste is just as cheap. Cass cans at 500ml come in at Php169 each, more than twice what you paid for the Red Horse, but honestly twice as good.

You get around the same hit after a couple of drinks, but Cass has the taste of your money’s worth.

Chugability

It wouldn’t be beer if you couldn’t get a good chug out of it. We slammed a can of these each (one after the other) to see what went down the hatch better. Red Horse was already losing in the taste category, but it was so much worse when chugged. We tasted every bit of cheap in it, and it left a pretty strong after taste too. Cass was much smoother, and was actually enjoyable to chug. We went for a second round of Cass, just to wash the Red Horse out.

The Verdict?

While Red Horse has had its place in our hearts for many years, Cass Beer is simply more versatile, enjoyable, and refreshing. It’s easy to pair with food since its taste isn’t overpowering, and perfect for weekday chillnumans. Plus, with the popularity of Korean culture, Cass Beer is perfect for feeling like you’re chilling with your favorite idols.

So next time you’re reaching for a drink, ask yourself: Do you want to go down in a few bottles, or enjoy a crisp beer that keeps the good times going?