Take a look at the best brewers throughout history and you’ll find a list full of men. But things are shaking up in the 21st century. Women are proving their mettle in every other sector and brewing is also one of them. More and more women are responsible for shaping the brewing industry today and impacting its future. They’ve pushed through the stigma around alcohol and built a career of their choice. This is our list of the 8 top women brewers in India that you need to know.
5 Top Women Brewers In India
- Varsha Bhat
- Vidya Kubher
- Rasagna Rao Dharmana
- Aishwarya Ritti
- Kajal Manchanda
1. Varsha Bhat
All the world is a laboratory to the inquiring mind. This quote aptly summarizes why Varsha Bhat got into the brewing industry. Always wanting to learn something creative and new, Varsha got her first break with the help of a friend, who at the time, needed assistance in a brewery. It has been more than 10 years since and Varsha hasn’t looked back.
In 2012, she started working as an Assistant Brewer at Barking Deer in Mumbai, then went on to work as a brewer for Big Brewsky in Bangalore. She further nurtured her skills by completing the esteemed Brewmaster Course at the VLB (Versuchs-und Lehranstalt für Brauereiwesen) in Berlin, 2017. Her capability to adapt to new techniques and methods has helped her find a role at the Mannheim Brews in Bangalore. She has been one of the oldest players in this field, and has been an inspiration for many upcoming and young brewers.
Also read: 6 Indian Alcohol Brands Founded By Women
2. Vidya Kubher
Craft beers have seen a steady rise in popularity in the pub capital of the country, Bangalore. This is because of the number of breweries set up here in the past few decades. One of the best amongst them is Geist Brewing Co. and its head brewer is an industry veteran named Vidya Kubher. Her passion for crafting beer grew when she was spending a lot of time in breweries while touring Europe. She got her Master Brewer Certification from Siebel Institute in Chicago and Doemens Academy in Gräfelfing, Germany. What an inspiring cross-continental story!
She says that the process of brewing gives her the same feeling as one gets from playing a game of golf or any sport. Although her parents were reluctant about this industry, she got immense support from everyone around her. This helped Vidya in the initial stages of her career and the rest of it is history.
Also read: 5 Female Bartenders In India You Should Know About
3. Rasagna Rao Dharmana
An entrepreneur by nature, Rasagna Rao Dharmana has launched the country’s first woman-led commercial brewery called Reybier. It manufactures and bottles various craft and commercial beers. The main goal was to transform the Indian male-dominated beer industry with their brand.
She had no formal education about brewing. But this changed when an interest in the industry was sparked during her stay in the US and Spain. Her ever curious nature got her to know everything about brewing. ‘You think Big, and You get Big,’ this philosophy of her’s lead to the establishment of Reybier Alco Bev Private Limited in Goa. This facility is now in the process of supplying their beer brands Royal C’zar (Super Strong & Lager), Mr BOB (Pilsner), and Marengo (Hefeweizen) to the global markets.
Also read: Best Indian Bartenders That You Need To Follow!
4. Aishwarya Ritti
She is an entrepreneur, a co-founder, a consultant, and a head brewer from Bangalore. Aishwarya Ritti dons many hats today and it all began when she started working with one of the biggest players in the market, United Breweries. This is where she gained immense experience in this industry.
After completing her M.Tech, she went on to work with Byg Brewski Brewing Company as a head brewer. After working here for some time, she joined Brahma Brews as a head brewer and is still a part of them. During this period, she co-founded a microbrewing consulting company called Barley & Us. That’s not all, she is also associated with Peepai Brewery and Kitchen, 46 Ounces, and Tiger Tiger Brewhouse in various capacities.
Also read: 10 Women Bartenders In India
5. Kajal Manchanda
For someone who literally didn’t even drink beers before learning the art of brewing, Kajal Manchanda has made a quiet name for herself. She is considered as one of the best brewers in the country. Her first stint at professional brewing was with Great State Ale Works in Pune, where she was an assistant brewer. Here’s where she crafted Smoked Ale, which became one of the most liked beers to come out of this brewery. She followed this hit brew with more original creations later on.
Kajal then went to work with some of the well-known brands in the industry like Effingut, The Beer Chronicles, and By The Peepal. Now she works for Bira 91 as an innovation brewer. With her vast experience in this field, she aims to be someone who educates customers about beers.
Summing Up
Brewing is and should be treated as an art form, and these women are no less than artists. Crafting beers requires a lot of patience and these women are the perfect epitome for it. While women have always been involved in the brewing process, it is now that we can see them gradually rising in this field.
FAQs
Which Is The Largest Brewing Company In India?
United Breweries in Bangalore is the largest company in India. Some of their popular creations include Kingfisher, London Pilsner, and UB.
Which Country Has The Most Breweries In The World?
The US leads this list with over 4,500 breweries followed by the UK and Germany.
Who Are The Famous Women Brewers?
Teri Fahrendorf of the Pink Boots Society, Irene Firmat of Full Sale, Deborah Carey of New Glarus, are some of the famous women brewers.
Which Was The First Brewery In India?
The first brewery in India was called the Kasauli Brewery set up by Edward Abraham Dyer in the year 1830.
Which City Is Famous For Beer In India?
The number of microbreweries set up in Bangalore in the past decade shows the love this city has for beers.
Which Is The Oldest Beer In India?
One of the oldest beers in India is the Kalyani Black Label which is brewed by United breweries Group.
How Many Breweries Are In India?
As of now, there are over 300 breweries in India spread out across the country. This is helping to drive the brewing industry even further.
Which Is The Biggest Brewery In India?
Iron Hill is the biggest brewery in India. It is also called the world’s largest microbrewery.
