The Five Best Beers to Try in India Now
Five great beers from India to try now
Beer is one of the world’s oldest and most adaptable drinks, spanning styles from crisp lagers to complex ales and fitting seamlessly into cultures across the globe.
In India, beer has evolved to match both climate and cuisine, from refreshing, heat-friendly pours to robust strong lagers, alongside a growing craft movement experimenting with local ingredients and bold, food-friendly flavors.
“India’s growing craft beer movement is bringing experimentation with local ingredients, unique flavors, and innovative brewing techniques. The flavor profiles are often designed to complement India’s bold and spicy cuisine, with balanced bitterness and clean finishes that enhance the overall drinking experience,” says Deepak Arora, Chief Executive Officer of Som Distilleries & Breweries.
Here are five Indian beers worth trying now.
Kingfisher Strong is one of the bestselling beers in India. Photo credit United Breweries Limited
Arguably one of the most popular and bestselling beers in India, Kingfisher Strong is known for its sharp, robust taste. With a characteristic deep golden hue, it balances malty sweetness with citrus, pear, spice, and almond notes and is widely available in bottles, cans, and kegs. With an ABV between 5% and 8%, this beer has subtle hints of piney hops and a pleasant drying finish. Crafted from malted barley, hops, and yeast, Kingfisher Strong pairs well with flavorful and strong dishes like biryani, kebabs, and even tandoori chicken.
Woodpecker Crest, a higher-strength lager, pairs well with robust flavors. Photo credit SOM Distilleries & Breweries Ltd
Woodpecker Crest, a premium strong lager from SOM Distilleries & Breweries, is known for its bold taste and higher alcohol content. With an ABV of 8%, it is brewed using imported two-row barley malt, select Indian malts, and premium hops sourced from Germany. It undergoes a 30-day maturation process to maintain smoothness and consistency. It has a rich, malty taste that balances bitterness. The strong beer category dominates the Indian beer market and is widely preferred by consumers who typically opt for higher-strength lagers. It pairs well with foods with bold, complex flavors.
“Dishes such as tandoori chicken, chicken tikka, kebabs, and paneer tikka complement the beer’s balanced malt sweetness and crisp carbonation, which helps cut through smoky spices while enhancing the overall flavor,” says Arora, adding, “It also works well with grilled and barbecued meats, where the caramelized notes from grilling match the lager’s slightly robust profile.”
Wonderland Wheat is Ironhill’s take on a hefeweizen. Photo credit Ironhill India
Ironhill India’s Wonderland Wheat is a smooth, creamy wheat beer brewed in a Bavarian-inspired style, typically using at least 50 percent wheat malt and yeast that produces signature aromas of clove and banana.
A low hopping rate allows the beer’s underlying bready flavor to shine through, explains Teja Chekuri, founder of Fullstack Ventures, which operates the Ironhill India brand. He describes the brew as “a light, approachable beer” with a hazy appearance, soft texture, and a dense and creamy head, and suggests pairing the drink with foods that are fresh and slightly sweet — think seafood, salads, or lighter cuts of meat.
Uncle Dunkel is Geist’s take on a dark wheat beer. Photo credit Geist Brewing Co.
Geist Uncle Dunkel is a classic South German-inspired hefeweizen dunkel, or dark wheat beer. This 5.4% ABV beer is brewed with a blend of base and specialty wheat and barley malts and is very gently hopped.
Uncle Dunkel is brewed in a way that is designed to “showcase the dark malts,” says Narayan Manepally, co-founder and CEO of Geist Brewing Co. He adds that a special house yeast strain brings out aromas and flavors of cocoa, caramel, coffee, chocolate, and banana.
“It is extremely sessionable and enjoyable,” Manepally adds, noting that it pairs exceptionally well with dishes like barbecued pork ribs.
Simba Beer’s Wit is flavored using orange peel, coriander, and lemongrass. Photo credit Simba Beer
Simba Wit is brewed using traditional Belgian witbier techniques but is tailored for Indian weather. It is top-fermented, has an ABV just under 5%, and is brewed with additional ingredients such as orange peel, coriander, and lemongrass.
Simba Beer co-founder Ishwaraj Singh Bhatia describes the beer as smooth and easy to drink, thanks to its citrus notes and hints of spice. He suggests pairing the beer with grilled chicken, seafood, sushi, and even spicy Indian snacks.