For a very long time, the Indian beer market followed a practical formula when it came to contents in strong lagers. This meant heavy rice or corn adjuncts, artificial carbonation, harsh or metallic burn, and high alcohol content. This meant that if you wanted anything that is somewhere around 7 percent to 8 percent Alcohol By Volume (ABV), you had to give up on smooth drinking and flavor. But one brand walked in and disrupted this formula as well as the Indian alco-bev space totally! Launched in 2016, Simba by Sona Beverages offered a unique craft approach and variants, including Simba Strong Beer, which made people believe that even strong beer can taste good.
Here’s a complete guide that will help you know if Simba Strong Beer is worth trying or not.
Simba was founded by Prabhtej Singh Bhatia and Ishwaraj Singh Bhatia from their brewery in Chhattisgarh’s Durg. Prabhtej had witnessed the craft beer culture overseas and wished to bring it to India.
This led to the brewery setup in Durg, and instead of doing mass production at this brewery, the founders decided to focus on small batches. This helped in focusing on the quality and flavor of the beer better. With this passion, Simba soon became one of the first craft beer brands to craft and distribute craft beers across India.
What makes Simba stand out are the variants and ingredients that go into making them. In no time, Simba became a popular name among young urban consumers who were looking for different flavors and a premium drinking experience. With price, flavors, and different brewing approaches, Simba carved a niche for itself in the Indian alco-bev industry.
Also Read: Simba – Your Guide To Price, Variants, And Brewing Story
Simba Wit: It is a Belgian-style wheat beer that offers a citrusy, refreshing flavor with coriander and a touch of spice.
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 4.5% to 5%
Simba Stout: It is a flavorful and rich dark beer that is loved for its roasted malt character. It includes unique coffee notes, caramel, toasted nuts, espresso, toffee, cocoa, and molasses.
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 4.8%
Simba Strong: It is a robust and bold strong lager which is known for its higher alcohol content with a touch of citrus.
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 8%
Simba Lager: It is known as a premium Indian craft lager with a crisp and cold texture that pairs well with Indian cuisine.
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 4.5%
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While various contemporary craft brands were focusing on session-friendly pale ales and Witbiers or wheat beers, Simba’s founders realised a gap. They realised that a massive chunk of Indian consumers genuinely prefer strong lagers.
So instead of ignoring this information, they decided to elevate the strong beer category. Unlike other standard commercial strong lagers that rely mostly on excessive adjuncts or chemical additives to boost efficiency, Simba Strong is brewed in small batches using pure water, fine hops, and high-quality malted barley.
The brand does not believe in shortcut fermentation processes and hence allows the beer to mature naturally. This helps the alcohol integrate smoothly into the liquid and prevents it from overwhelming it.
Simba Strong’s clean and balanced profile is what makes it stand out from other legacy brands in India. Let's understand its taste profile and tasting notes.
Appearance: When Simba Strong is poured in a glass, it reveals its deep golden amber hue, which is clearly very rich and dark as compared to other standard light lagers. It builds a nice, creamy, thick off-white head with clean lacing along the glass and moderate retention.
Aroma: When the bottle is opened, this beer does not offer the typical smell of high-ABV commercial lagers. Instead, it greets you with toasted grain, sweet malt notes, gentle floral or earthy hop presence, and subtle hints of caramel in the background.
Taste: The very first sip feels smooth and rich. The initial taste brings in a wave of cereal notes, toasted malt sweetness, and caramel. Towards mid palate it develops mild citrusy and herbal bitterness. This effectively balances out the heavy malt backbone so that it does not taste syrupy.
Finish: This beer features a medium-to-full body with crispy and active carbonation. It has a surprisingly clean, satisfying, and dry finish. It leaves a lingering toasted grain sweetness that clearly invites the next sip.
Alcohol Integration: Standing at 8% Alcohol by Volume (ABV), the warmth from the alcohol is definitely there. It gives a gentle chest-warming depth rather than an acidic burn on the back of the throat.
Also Read: Simba Beer Introduces Simba Wild To Celebrate 10 Years
Simba Strong is available in India in three standard Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) across all the major cities. This includes a 330 ml pint bottle, a 500 ml can, and a 650 ml large bottle. Because the alcohol prices in India are regulated heavily by state excise laws, the prices vary based on where you purchase it from.
330ml Pint Bottle: INR 90 to INR 140
550ml Can: INR 130 to INR 180
650ml Large bottle: INR 145 to INR 230
Note: Taxes and excise duties cause the prices to change across the board. These are approximate price ranges from Livcheers.
Price-to-value assessment: Simba Strong might command a small 10% to 20% higher price as compared to mass-market giants like Kingfisher Strong or Tuborg Strong. But given the upgrade in ingredients quality and smoother drinkability, the price tag here is totally value for money.
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Simba Strong Beer has a very thick malt body, higher alcohol strength, and moderate bitterness. It cuts through spicy, oily, and rich foods well.
This beer pairs well with spicy Indian dishes like Mutton Rogan Josh, Chicken Chettinad, Biryani and Tandoori Tikka. The malt sweetness plays well with chilli heat.
You can also pair it with barbecue and street food like grilled chops, seekh kebabs, vada pav and chilli paneer. Its crisp carbonation cuts through fats and heavy oils.
Even Mature Cheddar or Gouda will surely match the beer’s malt intensity.
Is Simba Strong Beer worth trying?
Yes, Simba Strong Beer is absolutely worth trying. If you think Indian strong beers are made to give you metallic-tasting lagers and designed for quick intoxication, Simba Strong will comfortably help change your mind. It bridges the gap between craft refinement and mass-market kick.
It is perfect for anyone who wants to try a full-bodied beer with a strong kick but at the same time wants to sit back and enjoy the taste.
Also Read: Simba Roars: Silver & Bronze At World Beer Awards 2025
