The Best Beer Companies In India

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
Facts About the Indian Beer Market
Benefits of Drinking Beer
Top Beer Companies in India

1. Kingfisher
2. Tuborg
3. Carlsberg
4. Budweiser
5. Heineken
6. Corona
7. Bira 91
8. Foster's Lager
9. Hoegaarden
10. Kimaya Himalayan Beverages
11. MillerCoors
12. London Pilsner
13. Haywards 5000
14. Godfather
15. Bro Code

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 the 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 8.38% between 2023 and 2029.
• 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 increased 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 which are listed below:

• Beer is good for the heart.
• Beer helps in losing weight.
• Beer improves cholesterol levels.
• 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 promotes 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

Kingfisher, brewed by United Breweries Group, Bangalore, is considered the best beer in India. The brand, launched in 1978, holds a prominent position on the list of India's top 10 beer brands.

With a market share of over 36% in India. It is a fully matured beer with exceptional clarity and a pleasantly bitter taste. Only Kingfisher Premium is sold in Europe and most export markets.

The brand gained considerable attention via its association with the sport of cricket. It is a major sponsor in the Indian Premier League. United Breweries launches its 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% of the market share in India’s massive beer market.
• Launched in 1978, Kingfisher beer now 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

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 that 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 recognizable beer brands in the world.
• The brand sells its beer in bottles and different sizes of cans across the globe.

Carlsberg

The Carlsberg Group was established in 1847 by brewer J.C. Jacobsen. Today, Carlsberg is one of the best beer brands and the world's leading brewery group.

This beer contains pale yellow lager leaves and a mild, hoppy bitterness. Carlsberg makes 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 the ‘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

Budweiser is a medium-bodied, flavorful, crisp American-style lager. It's the strongest beer in India and is 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 is 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.

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Heineken

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 little better than others.

Key Features:

• Heineken has been in the business of producing quality beers for the last 140 years.
• Twenty-five million cases of beer are sold each year across 192 nations globally.
• The brand’s custom A-Yeast gives it a smooth flavor profile, making it loved by millions across the globe.

Corona

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, like many top beer brands in India, 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 AB-InBev owns the brand.
• The beer is usually served with a wedge of lime on the neck of the bottle to add flavor.
• Corona’s recipe includes adding corn to the usual barley malt to provide a unique flavor profile.

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Bira 91

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 Indian beer is top-fermented ale, giving the beer a unique and rich taste that is low on bitterness and high on honey and caramel notes. Bira 91, one of the prominent Indian beer brands, where 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

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

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.

Kimaya Himalayan Beverages

BeeYoung starts with a crisp attack, delivering a perfect malty taste followed by ripe fruitiness on the mid palate. Its invigorating flavors & taste make each sip eventful and perfect for all social settings, most enjoyed in the company of your loved ones. BeeYoung is India’s one-of-a-kind lager that is artfully curated with the choicest of fine ingredients sourced from around the world, bringing rich, smooth, aromatic & silky flavors to life and a perfect festive surprise for your guests!

With an ABV of 7.2%, BeeYoung is all set to dominate the strong beer segments and establish itself as India's first strong craft beer.

Key Features:

• Kimaya Himalayan Beverages' key objective of launching the said variant, i.e., BeeYoung, is to provide a premium product at an affordable price point for consumption in India. Kimaya Himayalan provides credible quality products – from ingredients to the process and packaging. (BeeYoung comes in 500 ml packaging other than 650 ml bottle size, 500 ml pack size is the right quantity to enjoy a beer at the right temperature and share adequately between two friends!)
• Emphasis on Provenance: The ingredients are sourced from their provenance. The beers exhibit graceful flavors of carefully selected international malt with the inclusion of premium Basmati rice to provide smoothness on the palate. Noble hop Saaz is carefully chosen and infused with Himalayan source water from Bhakra Dam. 
• With an ABV of 7.2%, BeeYoung is all set to premium the strong beer segments and establish itself as India's first crafted strong beer.s

MillerCoors

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 it 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.
• A clean, crisp taste with a mild bitterness generally characterizes MillerCoors beers.
• 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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London Pilsner

London Pilsner, or "LP," is a popular beer in Maharashtra, India. Privately owned and introduced in 1994, LP offers a refreshing taste with a smooth and balanced flavor. It comes in mild and strong versions, with striking packaging and competitive pricing. United Breweries back LP and has a loyal following, with cricket ace Ben Stokes as its brand ambassador.

Key Features:

1. London Pilsner offers a refreshing taste with a perfect blend of malt sweetness and hop bitterness, ensuring a crisp and enjoyable drinking experience.
2. Crafted with traditional European methods, London Pilsner embodies the classic Pilsner taste.
3. London Pilsner guarantees a high-quality brew with premium malted barley, Saaz hops, and carefully selected yeast strains, consistently delivering a smooth and satisfying flavor.
4. London Pilsner is filtered for a crystal-clear appearance, with a golden hue that enhances the drinking experience.
5. London Pilsner is a versatile beer that can be enjoyed on any occasion with its sessionable approachability.

Haywards 5000

Haywards 5000 is a special beer in India since 1974. It's the first national beer and the most popular strong one. It tastes bold and malty but surprisingly smooth with up to 6.5% alcohol. People love its green bottle and gold writing. It's a drink and a symbol of celebrating and being together in India. The tagline, "The champion beer for champion men," means it's linked to strength and doing well. It's not only about the taste; it's about sharing good times. So, Haywards 5000 is not just a famous beer; it's a part of Indian celebrations, bringing people together and making good memories. Cheers to Haywards – the special beer that everyone loves in India!

Key Features:

• Haywards 5000 is known for its bold, full-bodied taste that sets it apart in the beer market.
• A distinctive feature of Haywards 5000 is its high alcohol content, providing a more potent and intense drinking experience for those who appreciate strong brews.
• The beer undergoes an extended maturation process, resulting in a well-rounded and matured flavor profile that sets it apart from other beers in its category.
• Haywards 5000 is made using only premium ingredients, carefully selected to create a superior brew that will satisfy beer enthusiasts with discerning tastes.

Godfather

Godfather Beer, produced by Devans Modern Breweries in India since 1961, is renowned for its bold and flavorful brew. It comes in two varieties: The Legendary Premium Strong (7.5% ABV) and Super 8 (India's strongest beer at 8% ABV). The Legendary Premium Strong received a gold medal at the Spiritz Selection Awards 2020, demonstrating its superior quality. With over 60 years of brewing history, Godfather Beer is known for its consistent excellence and traditional techniques. The brand has a strong image, giving it a powerful and exclusive look. Godfather Beer is not just a drink; it's an expression for those who appreciate bold flavors, tradition, and luxury.

Key Features:

• Super 8, India's strongest beer with 8% ABV, boasts an intense flavor profile that delivers a powerful punch and satisfies the craving for boldness with every sip.
• Devans Modern Breweries has been brewing for over 60 years. Their experience shows in Godfather's quality and time-honored methods. Each sip is a tribute to their rich brewing heritage.
• A brand that evokes power, sophistication, and exclusivity - the Godfather beer's bold character and striking packaging commands attention.

Bro Code

Bro Code, launched in 2018, isn't just another new beer company in India; it's a lifestyle for modern men. With craft beers like "Wingman" and "Bro Down," it emphasizes bold flavors and humor, connecting with guys who appreciate a good laugh and banter. Bro Code fosters a community by engaging on social media through memes and challenges. Beyond beer, it organizes events and supports charitable causes, focusing on men's mental health and veterans' well-being. More than a drink, Bro Code celebrates male friendship, humor, and a shared "bro code" for enjoying life with buddies.

Key Features:

• Craft Brews with a Bro Personality: Bold Flavors and Unexpected Twists. From hoppy IPAs like "Wingman" to smooth stouts like "Bro Down," Bro Code's beers are crafted with unique flavor profiles and witty names.
• Beyond drinking, Bro Code offers shared experiences like bar crawls, gaming tournaments, and sports nights, solidifying the brand as a lifestyle for active men.
• Online Bro Community: Interactive content, events, and challenges foster belonging. It's a lifestyle, not just a brand.
• Beyond serving beer, Bro Code hosts events like bar crawls, gaming tournaments, and sports viewing parties, positioning itself as a lifestyle brand that creates unforgettable experiences for active men.

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 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 in India to drink beer.

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.