It’s the era of craft beers, and everyone in the country knows that. You know it, because you (and I) ended up buying more of craft beers this year than the large-batch mass-produced beers that were popular at a time. Craft beers taste better, fresher to be exact. They are more flavourful and pleasant on our tastebuds. To celebrate the success of the craft beer industry in the Indian market, here are 5 recently-launched beers that you should buy
1. Spike – White Owl
Spike, White Owl Brewery’s recent launch is India’s first strong craft beer. The wheat beer is a handcrafted German Weizenbock that has the flavour and aroma of bananas and cloves. It is bottled at 7.9% ABV, and is available in selective cities of Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Goa and Delhi currently. You can buy a 500 ml can for INR 170.
2. Veere and Machaa – 7 Rivers
United Breweries and AB InBev control over 70% of the Indian beer market with their mass-produced national and international beers. With the success of the craft beer segment, the companies have jointly established 7 Rivers Brewing Co in India to produce locally-made wheat beers Veere and Machaa. While Veere has strong notes of orange and coriander, Machaa offers flavours of banana and cloves. The beers are available across 300 outlets in Mumbai and Pune, with a 330 ml of can priced at INR 140.
3. Saint & Sinner – Goa Brewing Co
Goa Brewing Co is an independent and self-distributed microbrewery in Goa. Their most recent beer, Saint & Sinner, is a Trappist Style Ale that flaunts one of the most unique bottle designs in the country. It is a small-batch brew that uses coconut jaggery, curaçao orange peels, treacle and German malts as ingredients. The beer is bottled at 8% ABV, and is available at selective retail stores and bars in Goa currently. Here’s to hoping the brewery rolls out the Christmas-y beer all over the country!
4. Snappy Wheat – Kati Patang
Snappy Wheat is the second craft beer from the Kati Patang label. The beer is a flavoursome blend of citrus and Indian spices, with dominating notes of ginger and turmeric. The beer is bottled at 4.8% ABV and is available across retail stores and bars in cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. A 330 ml bottle is priced at around INR 200.
5. Ultra Witbier – Kingfisher
United Breweries’ Kingfisher entered the craft beer segment with their original Belgian brew Kingfisher Ultra Witbier. It is the company’s first non-lager beer. Brewed from Belgian spices and German hops, it gives out the flavour and aroma of orange and coriander. The beer is available in Goa and Karnataka and will soon be rolled out in Delhi, Haryana and Maharashtra. You can purchase a 330 ml bottle for INR 110.
I am going to end my Friday with a couple (or more) Spike beers this week and am looking forward to trying the others soon. Which of the mentioned beers will you be drinking? Tell us in the comments below.
