With India’s beer market projected to reach $16.8 billion by 2025, it’s no surprise that the country is home to a thriving beer industry. From major international players to local microbreweries, there’s no shortage of options for beer lovers in India.
As Hunter S. Thompson once said,
“There is no bad beer. Some beers just happen to be better than others.”
And with India offering such a vast array of beers, from refreshing pilsners to spicy wheat brews, it’s clear that there are plenty of great options to choose from.
Types of Beer in India
There are various types of beers available in India, these are:
- Ale
- Fruit beer
- Lager, Sahti
- Small beer (very low alcohol)
- Wheat beer
Over 30% of the total population in India comprises youth, and beer consumption is increasingly becoming part of their social interactions. It is expected that the demand for premium beer will continue to rise in the future with an increase in personal disposable income and higher living standards.
Facts About Indian Beer Market
Here are some facts about the Indian beer market:
- The Indian beer market is one of the fastest-growing in the world, with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of around 5% over the past five years.
- The market is dominated by a few key players, with United Breweries Limited (UBL) and Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) accounting for over 90% of the market share.
- The Indian beer market is largely driven by the increasing middle-class population, changing lifestyles, and the rise of the youth demographic, who are more open to experimenting with different types of beers.
- The demand for premium beer has been increasing in recent years, driven by rising disposable incomes and changing consumer preferences.
- The Indian beer market is heavily regulated, with high taxes and strict advertising laws. This has led to a limited marketing presence for beer brands in India, with most relying on word-of-mouth and experiential marketing.
- Despite being a large market, per capita beer consumption in India is still relatively low compared to other countries, with an average consumption of just 2 liters per person per year, compared to around 75 liters in the United States and 140 liters in Germany.
- The Indian beer market has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the closure of bars and restaurants leading to a decline in on-premise sales. However, the market is expected to recover as restrictions ease and consumers return to drinking in public places.
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Benefits Of Drinking Beer
There are many benefits of drinking beer, some of them are listed below:
- Beer is good for the heart.
- Beer helps in losing weight.
- Beer improves cholesterol level.
- Beer minimizes the risk of cancer.
- Beer helps boost mental health.
- Beer helps in improving the eyesight.
- Beer minimizes the risk of diabetes.
- Beer reduces the risk of developing kidney stones.
- Beer increases Vitamin B levels.
- Beer helps cure insomnia.
- Beer has positive effects on the skin and hair.
- Beer delays aging and promote longevity.
- Beer flushes out toxins from the body.
- Beer helps in the development of denser and healthier bones.
“The maturing beer market combined with the support of government incentives on exports will positively open up higher export potentials for Indian beer brands,” – UBL, Annual Report 2019-20.
Now, let’s jump into the top beer companies in India that are leading the charge and making a name for themselves in this exciting market.
Top Beer Companies in India
There are several beer companies operating in India, each with its own unique flavors and characteristics. Some of the best beer companies in India are:
Kingfisher
Tuborg
Carlsberg
Budweiser
Heineken
Corona
Bira 91
Foster’s Lager
Hoegaarden
MillerCoors
Kingfisher
| Beer Name | Kingfisher |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | India |
| Price ( in Delhi) | Kingfisher Fine Lager Beer 330Ml, Rs 70 ; Kingfisher Fine Lager Beer 500Ml, Rs 105 ; Kingfisher Fine Strong Beer, Rs 130 |
| Variants | Kingfisher Premium, Kingfisher Strong, Kingfisher Magnum Strong, Kingfisher Strong Fresh, Kingfisher Draught, Kingfisher Ultra, etc. |
Kingfisher is an Indian beer brewed by United Breweries Group, Bangalore. The brand was launched in 1978. It is one of the top from the list of 10 beer brands in India.
With a market share of over 36% in India. A fully matured beer with exceptional clarity, and has a pleasantly bitter taste. Only Kingfisher Premium is sold in Europe and most export markets.
The brand gains considerable attention via its association with the sport of cricket. It is a major sponsor in the Indian Premier League. United Breweries launches first craft beer Kingfisher Ultra Witbier.
Over the years, the Kingfisher family has expanded to include brands and variants that cater to all segments of our audience.
Key Features:
- Kingfisher has more than 36% market share in India’s massive beer market.
- Launching in 1978, Kingfisher beer now also sells in over 52 other countries apart from India.
- Heineken is the largest shareholder in UB Group, the holding company of the Kingfisher brand.
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Tuborg
| Beer Name | Tuborg |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Fredericia, Denmark |
| Price ( in Delhi) | Tuborg Green 330Ml, Rs. 95 ; Tuborg Strong Premium 330Ml, Rs. 80 ; Tuborg Booster Strong Premium 650Ml, Rs. 120 |
| Variants | Tuborg Strong, Tuborg Green, Tuborg Classic With Scotch Malts (specially brewed for the Indian palate) |
Tuborg is a Danish brewing company founded in 1873 on a Harbour in Hellerup, an area North of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Tuborg Green is a bottom-fermented lager beer. It’s brewed on lager malt, a slightly roasted, bright type of malt which results in the well-known mild, fresh taste and aroma of flowers and grain.
Tuborg contains an alcohol percentage of only 4.8%. This medium rich and lively drink has a moderate bitterness in the aftertaste. In India, Tuborg stands at number 2 amongst all brands and number 1 when it comes to international brands.
Key Features
- Tuborg started in 1880 and its name is derived from Thues Borg, meaning Thues’ castle in Danish.
- Its Tuborg Green beer is one of the most recognisable beer brands in the world.
- The brand sells its beer in bottles and different sizes of cans across the globe.
Carlsberg
| Beer Name | Carlsberg |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Denmark |
| Price ( in Delhi) | Calsberg Elepht.St. Sup Beer 500Ml: Rs 125 |
| Variants | Carlsberg Elephant (full bodied and full flavoured), Carlsberg Smooth |
The Carlsberg Group was established in 1847 by brewer J.C. Jacobsen. Today Carlsberg is one of the best beer brands and world’s leading brewery groups.
This beer contains pale yellow lager leaves a mild, hoppy bitterness. Carlsberg making the drinking experience smoother for those who appreciate the unique flavor and variety of premium beers. Carlsberg Research Laboratory discovered that purifying the pitching yeast used during the brewing process was the cure.
Carlsberg is serious about sustainability. Carlsberg wants you to drink in ‘Green Zone’.
Key Features:
- Carlsberg’s India flagship Elephant is one of the bestselling strong beers in the country.
- The brand also sells a regular Carlsberg variant alongside a Special brew option.
Budweiser
| Beer Name | Budweiser |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Price ( in Delhi) | Budweiser Magnum Beer 330Ml: Rs 130 |
| Variants | Bud Light, Bud Ice, and Bud Light Lime |
Budweiser is a medium-bodied flavorful, crisp American-style lager. It’s the strongest beer in India and brewed with the best barley malt and a blend of premium hop varieties.
India will soon be drinking Budweiser beer brewed using solar power. It was the first beer to travel via refrigerated rail cars – an industrial innovation.
Budweiser still leads not only in the US but also in India and also one of the best-selling beer brands in India.
‘While alcohol moderation is becoming more pronounced among Indians as a whole, with an average of 38% of Indian beer consumers interested in switching to low/no alcohol versions, the over 45s (32%) are less enthusiastic about making this switch’.
Key Features:
- Budweiser is known for its crisp and smooth taste, which is achieved through a combination of high-quality barley malt, rice, and hops.
- The beer has a refreshing aroma, with hints of caramel and malt.
- Budweiser has a well-balanced flavor that is neither too sweet nor too bitter.
- Budweiser is brewed using a time-honored recipe that has remained consistent over the years, ensuring that every bottle or can has the same great taste.
- The alcohol content of Budweiser is around 5% ABV (Alcohol by Volume), which is relatively standard for most beers.
Heineken
| Beer Name | Heineken |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | The Netherlands |
| Price ( in Delhi) | Heineken Large Beer 330Ml: Rs 110 |
| Variants | Heineken Premium Beer, Heneiken Draught |
Heineken has been brewed for more than 150 years. Today, Heineken is the world’s second-largest brewer.
In 2012, Heineken acquired Desperados, a tequila-flavored beer that targets EDM-loving drinkers.
It is slightly stronger than other mass-produced lager drinks and probably a wee bit better than others.
Key Features:
- Heineken has been in the business of producing quality beers for the last 140 years.
- 25 million cases of the beer are sold each year across 192 nations globally.
- The brand’s custom A-Yeast gives it a smooth flavour profile, making it loved by millions across the globe.
Corona
| Beer Name | Corona |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Mexico |
| Price ( in Delhi) | Corona Extra Premium Beer 330 Ml Bottle: Rs 155 |
| Variants | Corona Extra (3.6% alcohol), Corona Light |
Corona Extra is a pale lager produced by a Mexican brewery. It is commonly served with a wedge of lime or lemon in the neck of the bottle to add tartness and flavor.
Corona Extra contains barley malt, corn, hops, yeast, antioxidants (ascorbic acid), and propylene glycol alginate as a stabilizer. The flavor is crisp and well balanced between hops and malt.
Key Features:
- Corona is produced by Mexico-based brewery Cervecería Modelo while the brand is owned by AB-InBev.
- The beer is usually served with a wedge of lime on the neck of the bottle to add flavour.
- Corona’s recipe includes adding corn to the usual barley malt to provide a unique flavour profile.
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Bira 91
| Beer Name | Bira 91 |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | India |
| Price ( in Delhi) | Bira 91 Blonde Summer Large Beer 330 Ml Bottle: Rs 80 |
| Variants | Bira Blonde (5% alcohol), Bira White Ale (5% alcohol), Bira Light (4% alcohol), Bira Pale Al (7% alcohol), Bira Strong Ale (latest addition with a spicy taste (7% alcohol) |
Bira 91 aspires to bring flavorful beers to the new world. As one of the fastest-growing beers in the world. It aims to drive the global shift in beer towards more color and flavor.
Bira 91, recently launched one of the first low-calorie beers to be introduced in the Indian market. Bira 91 Strong is a “High-Intensity Wheat beer” this is the first strong beer based on wheat.
This beer is top-fermented ale giving the beer a unique and rich taste that is low on bitterness, high on honey, and caramel notes. Bira 91, where the 91 stands for India’s country code, is currently available across 15 cities. The company is focusing on the premium beer space and will have a presence in 8 more cities this quarter.
Key Features:
- Bira 91 is known for its distinctively fruity and hoppy flavor.
- Bira 91 offers a range of beer varieties to suit different tastes and preferences. Some of the most popular options include Blonde Lager, White Ale, IPA, and Strong Ale.
- Bira 91 beers typically have a moderate to high alcohol content, with most varieties ranging between 4.5% to 7%. This makes it a great choice for those looking for a beer with a bit of a kick.
- Bira 91 beers come in attractive and trendy packaging, with the brand’s signature monkey mascot featured prominently on each bottle or can.
- Bira 91 beers are brewed using a combination of traditional brewing methods and modern techniques, resulting in a unique and flavorful beer.
Foster’s Lager
| Beer Name | Foster’s Lager |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Australia |
| Price ( in Delhi) | Fosters Lager Beer (Bottle) 330 Ml Bottle: Rs 60 |
| Variants | Foster’s Lager, Foster’s Radler, Foster’s Gold, Foster’s Ice, Foster’s Twist, Foster’s Chill |
Foster’s Lager is an internationally-distributed brand of lager. It is owned by the international brewing group Asahi Group Holdings. Foster’s Lager is a type of lager owned worldwide by a brewing company called AB InBev. Foster’s Lager is known for its distinctive bold taste. The flavoring flower and a unique kind of yeast impart a bold flavor to the drink. Foster’s Lager has 5 % alcohol content; however different variants of the brand have higher alcohol content.
Key Features:
- Foster’s Lager has a crisp and refreshing taste, with a slight bitterness and a subtle sweet finish.
- Foster’s Lager typically has an alcohol content of around 5%, making it a moderate-strength beer.
- Foster’s Lager is sold in a distinctive blue can that features the brand’s logo, which includes two kangaroos holding a pint of beer.
Hoegaarden
| Beer Name | Hoegaarden |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Belgium |
| Price ( in Delhi) | Hoegaarden Beer 330Ml: Rs 250 |
| Variants | Hoegaarden Original, Hoegaarden Rosee, Hoegaarden Forbidden Fruit, Hoegaarden Grand Cru, Hoegaarden Citron, Hoegaarden Radler |
It has a characteristic fruity taste and clear spicy notes of clove and coriander. It was Known as the original Belgian white beer. Hoegaarden is one of the oldest beers out there. The modern Hoegaarden White Ale is an unfiltered Belgian White beer that gets its unique taste from the addition of orange peel and coriander, making up for its absence of a typical amount of hops. With an alcoholic content of 4.9%, Bananas and cloves are immediately evident in this refreshing beer.
Key Features:
- Hoegaarden is a cloudy, pale yellow beer that appears opaque due to the presence of suspended yeast and wheat proteins.
- Hoegaarden has a citrusy aroma with notes of coriander and orange peel.
- Hoegaarden has a complex flavor profile that is both sweet and tart.
- Hoegaarden is a light-bodied beer with a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. The suspended yeast and wheat proteins give the beer a slightly chewy texture.
- Hoegaarden has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 4.9%, which makes it a relatively mild beer compared to many other Belgian styles.
MillerCoors
| Beer Name | MillerCoors |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Price ( in Delhi) | MillerCoors 600Ml: Rs 160 |
| Variants | Miller Lite, Coors Light, Blue Moon, Leinenkugel’s, Miller High Life, Keystone Light |
The Miller Brewing Company is an American brewery and beer company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A unique mixture of chosen Saaz and Pacific Northwest hops and a high amount of caramel malt can be identified in the making process. This beer is ideal for those who drink beer like water as this is one of the cheapest beers available in India.
Key Features:
- MillerCoors produces a diverse range of beer styles, including lagers, ales, pilsners, stouts, and wheat beers. Some of their most popular brands include Miller Lite, Coors Light, Blue Moon, and Leinenkugel’s.
- MillerCoors uses a combination of traditional and modern brewing techniques to create their beers. They use high-quality ingredients to ensure consistent flavor and quality.
- MillerCoors beers are generally characterized by a clean, crisp taste with a mild bitterness.
- MillerCoors beers typically have a moderate alcohol content, with most brands ranging from 4% to 6% ABV.
- MillerCoors beers are available in a variety of packaging formats, including cans, bottles, and kegs.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the Indian beer industry has seen tremendous growth in recent years, with an increasing number of domestic and international brands entering the market. While there are many great beer companies in India, it’s difficult to pick just one as the “best.” However, some of the most popular and well-respected beer companies in India include Kingfisher, Bira 91, Tuborg and Heineken.
Ultimately, the best beer company in India will depend on your personal taste and preferences. Whether you’re a fan of classic lagers, trendy craft beers, or something in between, there are plenty of great options to choose from in India’s vibrant beer market.
FAQs
What are the most popular beer brands in India?
Some of the most popular beer brands in India include Kingfisher, Bira 91, and Budweiser.
What types of beer are available in India?
There are many types of beer available in India, including lagers, ales, stouts, and wheat beers.
What is the alcohol content of Indian beer?
The alcohol content of Indian beer can vary depending on the brand and style. Most beers have an alcohol content ranging from 4% to 8% ABV.
Which is the highest selling beer in India?
Kingfisher is the highest selling beer in India.
Who is the king of beer?
Budweiser beer is known as the “King of Beers”.
Which city is famous for beer in India?
Panjim is the best city to drink beer in India.
Are there any international beer brands available in India?
Yes, many international beer brands are available in India, including Budweiser, Heineken, and Corona.
What food pairs well with Indian beer?
Indian beer pairs well with a variety of foods, including spicy curries, grilled meats, and salty snacks like peanuts and potato chips.
