No one predicted that Europeans would be introduced to Kerala through a beer one day. Well, this is what has happened in the UK.
Komban beer, a hand-crafted lager made from Palakkaddan Matta rice has been making a name for itself in the United Kingdom. Launched in 2016 by investment banker-turned-restaurateur Vivek Pillai, the beer has gained popularity in the region, leading to new investment plans surrounding its distribution.
Vivek Pillai, who owns an Indian restaurant that serves authentic Kerala cuisine in the region, had customers asking for an authentic alcoholic beverage as an accompaniment to the delicious food served there. Upon realizing the market gap for an Indian craft beer, he decided to brew Komban beer to bring an authentic Indian taste to his beverage menu.
Soon, the popularity grew and customers demanded to buy cases of the mild beer. That is when Vivek Pillai started distributing the beer to other Indian restaurants to increase its availability.
The crisp and refreshing flavour profile of the beer highly complements the spicy curry dishes like lamb, beef and herbed pork and chicken. As the beer continues to gain popularity, Pillai is looking forward to launching the beer in the international market next, with the Indian market targeted for this year.
Komban beer is available in three variants – Komban Indian Lager, Komban Premium Black Lager and Komban Blonde. The beers are bottled at 4%-5.1% ABV and flaunt an underlying caramel sweetness along with a subtle floral aroma.
By using a Malayalam word as a beer label (Komban means ‘great tusked elephant’) and the royal food of southern Chola and Chera dynasties as the main ingredient (matta rice was the kings’ choice of food), Komban beer has been able to introduce Kerala to the natives of the UK one pint at a time!
I am looking forward to the beer’s launch in India to get a taste of this Kerala-inspired craft beer. Are you as excited as me? Tell us in the comments below.
