Artisanal or Craft Beer has lately been gaining popularity in India. Especially among the youth who are becoming more and more interested in craft beers because they have a better flavor.
Craft breweries often experiment with different ingredients. It gives beers a unique taste that usually cannot be found in other types of products. They add ingredients like lychee or coconut to make their flagship beers irresistible.
What is Craft Beer?
Craft Beer is a brew made by mashing malted barley with boiled water so as to convert starch into sugars. Yeast is then added which causes fermentation of these sugars. Depending on what type of brew it will be, it turns them into alcohol over a period of days or weeks. The brew is finally clarified and filtered before packaging.
Many breweries also add fruit and other ingredients to the mix. Shark Bait made with coconuts is a signature ingredient of the Miami Brewing Company! They have an artisanal approach to brewing that includes numerous steps rarely found in normal typical factory-style production processes. They take their time and pour their heart and soul into creating beers with every batch. Producing Craft Beer is so special that some of these types can only be made in specific seasons.
Craft Beers You Cannot Afford to Miss Out in India
When it comes to drinking beer, India has a history that goes back to 1830. Edward Abraham Dyer set up the first brewery in the country. It was located in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, India. This brewery produced the beer brand that was named ‘Lion’. The project also led to the creation of a new style of beer. This Indian Pale Ale was higher in alcohol and hop profile.
With a variety of beers and a dedication to craft brewing that rivals Europe’s enthusiasm for wine, it is now safe to say that India is witnessing the golden age of beer. Innovative craft stouts from mainstream lagers to cult-status IPAs, there are some refreshing options for easy drinking. Quite a few of these need to be on your bucket or pint list irrespective of how much you love beer.
- BeeYoung – Kimaya Himalayan Beverage: It is a barley-based Indian brew that delivers a clean yet punchy sip. The perfect maltiness of this Pale Ale is derived from the Argentinian two-row barley it uses. The flavor of this complex ale is further enhanced by a dynamic combination of yeast, rice, and spring waters from the Bhakra Nangal Dam area. Savor this one on a sultry day, as the BeeYoung aftertaste is gently bitter. Coming with an ABV of 7.2 percent, BeeYoung is ideal when you are looking for a buzz along with refreshments.
- Beor 360: Beor 360 was introduced to Delhi by Brew King Beverages in the year 2020. It is an artisanal craft beer brewed in the pristine waters of the Himalayas. Other natural ingredients that go into the making include chamomile, True to the craft, this brew is a classic example of beers that are experimental. Wheat and Lager are the two variants available by the brand.
- Bira 91: Indian craft beer aficionados are a bit monkey of Bira 91. It is a favorite amongst them. The brand builds an emotional connection with the tech-savvy, irreverent, young urban craft beer drinkers. The brew offers a long and diverse beer line-up suitable for every palate. The variants of Craft Beers from Bira 91 include Bira Gold, Bira Light, Bira Strong, Bira White, Blonde, Boom Strong, Boom Classic, Indian Pale Ale, and Malabar Stout.
- Briggs: The brand name Briggs is derived from old English. A perfect cold mug of the brew serves as a bridge between beer lovers’ stories and swap conversations that build relationships. There is no chance you would have missed the brew if you have visited any one of the city’s famous liquor boutiques, The brand adorns quite a few bright, stylishly whimsical labels! Their four signature variants currently available include Hoppy Feet, Griffin, Stout Alchemy, and Willy’s Witbier.
- Bro Code: Expanding the spirit of brotherhood, the Bro Code brand clearly stands for what the name says. Their beers come with a significantly higher ABV as compared to most other beers out there. Bro Code is a recent player in India’s craft beer market. But for its unique flavor, the brand has quickly garnered a mass following amongst the country’s next-gen beer lovers. Presently it has three variants to cheer Crafted Brut 10, Crafted Brut 15, and Witty Bro.
- Easy Rider, Beach Shack & Bangalore Bliss: Arbor Brewing Company is touted as India’s first American Craft Brewery, It is a craft beer pioneer in spreading true beer culture across India. Pint by pint, they churn out a unique set of beers. All their products are packaged only in cans. Three canned variants presently available from them across the outlets in Bangalore and Goa include Beach Shack, Bangalore Bliss, and Easy Rider.
- Eight Finger Eddie, Goa Brewing Co: Yertward Mazamanian came to Anjuna Beach from America on the hippie trail to Goa. Alongside tropical fruits, bitter pine, dances, and smoky sweetness, he began the Goa Brewing Co. Eight Finger Eddie is a non-conformist brew named after the American hippie. With smooth bubbles that pour on the frothy side, this beer with a hint of hoppy bitterness has a creamy finish. It makes the drinking experience absolutely delicious. Based out of a 250-year-old heritage home in Porvorim, Goa, this brewery makes for a delightful visit for hop heads. The art portrayed on the bottle label design is interestingly eclectic and odd at its best.
- Hoppy Feet, Variant from Briggs: For good reason, this brew is a zesty IPA that has become a home bar staple. It ticks all the right boxes for a classic Hazy IPA. Hoppy Feet with overripe citrus and tropical aromatics has a soft mouthfeel. It is a great choice while relaxing with friends. On the lighter side, this Pale Ale is not as overpowering in the hops department as some other IPAs do. But Hoppy Feet is fantastically balanced. It is sharp and bitter but not cloying. The hoppy taste of the brew is evened out by fruity, and floral notes. The drink easily pairs with all types of dishes.
- Kati Patang Zesty Amber Ale: It is a Zesty Amber Ale and a good bet when you want to explore craft beer. With a balance of complex flavors and a smooth caramel finish, Kati Patang offers a good start. It is an amber-colored beer that is insanely delicious. The uninhibited name of the brew is an ode to the free spirit lying within us all. And if you like a spicy kick, Snappy Wheat is the other variant from the house. It is a perfect summery brew with a peppery finish. Brewed and bottled in Bhutan, at the Serbhum Brewery owned by Shantanu and Lata, an Indian couple.
- Kingfisher Ultra Witbier: India’s biggest brewer, United Breweries is the biggest entity in India. It recently rolled out Ultra Witbier as its first craft beer under its popular Kingfisher brand. The brew is refreshing, light, and sessionable. It was an instant hit with urban beer lovers across the country. Available in 3 SKUs – a 330 ml bottle, a 650 ml bottle, and a 500 ml can, this craft beer is accessible nationwide.
- Machaa & Veere: With the launch of two local wheat beers in 2019, the Anheuser Busch InBev’s Indian unit ‘7 Rivers Brewing Co.,’ surprised craft beer consumers. These beers made their debut against the backdrop of a gorgeously whimsical campaign named ‘The Flavour of Local.’ It immediately caught the attention of India’s beer community. The vibrant beer packaging style has made appearances in many beer lovers’ Instagram photos as well. Machaa and Veere are the two canned variants the brand presently has.
- Mad King: Brewed in Belgium but born in Delhi, Mad King brand beers are for the curious and the open-minded. However, these craft beers in small batches are sold mostly to the vibrant beer-drinking crowd in areas of Delhi-NCR. The two variants presently available from Mad King are Dufa Witbier and Kolga Lager.
- Maka Di – American Lager: This is it if you are looking for a good lager! Maka Di is super clean, ultra-smooth, and well-carbonated at the same time. Slight hints of refreshing citrus on the palate keep things stimulating. ‘Maka Di’ in Konkani means ‘give me more.’ And this is precisely what you would be saying after the first sip! Honey Ale, the other variant from this brewery is also worth trying.
- Off Duty Pale Ale, Great State Aleworks: The Pune-based Great State Aleworks producing Off Duty Pale Ale is known for its experimental brews. It uses indigenous ingredients like coffee, Gondhoraj lime, kokum, mangoes, rhubarb, and ginger in the process. Off Duty Pale Ale is particularly an interesting beer displaying complex and mild bitterness. It is perfect for easy drinking sessions. The Great State Brewery also hosts pop-ups and tours at least once a month. The dates of which they unfailingly announce on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
- Simba Stout, Simba: It is an imperial stout that is especially meant for the hardcore beer enthusiast looking for grace. With rich hints of espresso and cacao, Simba Stout is deep and dark. It is creamy as well. Counting among the best beers in India, Simba is often considered breakfast in a bottle. Maybe It packs more flavor than expected to tickle the imagination.
- Susegado: This is a craft beer label brand which is based out of Goa. It proudly stands for the unhurried pursuit of hoppy happiness. Susegado has five bottled beers under its belt. The company is officially recognized as the first Indian brewery to bottle its beers. The five beer variants presently available from Susegado are American IPA, Dortmund Lager, English Ale, Kokum Gose, and Vanilla Porter.
- WIT, White Rhino: This Pale Ale comes from the Chambal region of India where bandits once held sway. It is a Belgian-style wheat beer made with rolled wheat and fresh coriander seeds from the Himalayan region. White Rhino is a highly complex beer. It is both aromatic and refreshing. You could savor it as is or gulp it along with a burger.
- Witty Wit, Geist: This Pale Ale Lager is good stuff. With a citrusy essence that lingers, this Belgian ale is crisp and tastes lighter than its ABV suggests. Moreover, it won’t leave you with a wooly head the next morning. Witty Wit, Geist is available in 500 ml crawlers can version.
- Yavira: Another beer variant brewed by Kimaya Himalayan Beverages LLP., the name Yavira is derived from the Sanskrit word for ‘beer’. With 6.2% ABV, this beer merges the young Indian’s desire for the taste of craft with the inherent love for solid beer. It is brewed with Basmati rice. Currently available in 500ml cans and bottles, Yavira makes a great pairing with some of India’s most well-loved spicy dishes.
Don’t Miss Out
Craft Beer most commonly refers to beer brewed by a small-scale, independent brewery. It is produced only on a limited scale each year. However, the ‘small output’ can get murky because there is no set definition for what a small-scale operation is meant to be.
Nevertheless, when we talk about Craft Beer, we are generally referring to beers brewed by independently owned breweries. These are not either a part or quietly owned by large corporations. It implies that this is beer made by a brewery where ‘craftsmanship’ is key.
Craft Beer nowadays though in most cases can be purchased by large-scale operatives. it is, therefore, not technically a ‘craft’ product as such, since beer becomes a mass-produced commodity. It does not also imply that this beer will no longer be a quality beverage. it simply means that the beer is made by a large company and widely distributed. Although it is not a ‘craft’ brew anymore, many large companies will still choose to label the brew as ‘Craft Beer’.
Choosing the Best Craft Beers
It is a good idea to seek out independent brewers that use locally sourced ingredients. These are the ones who produce innovative, interesting, and limited-edition brews. Most often they employ traditional methods to brew Craft Beers. Creativity In style Combined with Flavor!
