I’m here to tell you all that there is a world outside of Kingfisher. Far out there, in the corners of the earth, awaits a world of delicious suds available in all colors, tastes, densities and strength. I’m here to tell you this revolution can and should take place in our very own land. I’m here to tell you that Dr. Mallya has put a curse on us all. I’m here to break that curse. Now that I have your attention, I’ll dive right in to the topic. Why can’t I get beer in India!? No, wait. Before you comment, I know - but that’s Kingfisher. I know I can get Kingfisher in India. What about a tall pint of Hefeweizen with a slice of lemon? Or what about a bottle of Newcastle Ale? No Guiness on tap? What about a hardy IPA? And what about a light beer for when I’m feeling fat and guilty? It’s time I expose you all to the wonderful world of suds that exists outside of the little evil green bottle. Read on:
Hefeweizen (Wheat Beer): Hefeweizen is a German style wheat beer in which the yeast is not filtered out. Wheat beers generally are paler in color and have a light flavour. It usually has a sweeter flavour and creamier consistency than others. Hefeweizen is known for its slight overtone of banana flavours and is usually served in a pint with a wedge of lemon.
India Pale Ale (Light Ale): India Pale Ale is yet another method of brewing beer and has its base in hops rather than wheat, giving it a much more bitter flavour. It is usually a light reddish brown in color and has a higher alcohol content than other lighter beers.
Guinness (Stout): Guinness is probably one of the most recognized beer brands in the world. It is a dry stout, extremely dark in color, thick in consistency. The distinctive flavour of tobacco, espresso, and chocolate comes from the roasted barley which remains unfermented. The thick creamy head (keep your mind out of the gutter) is the result of a nitrogen mix being added during the serving process. Guinness is primarily made from barley malt, hops & brewers yeast. A portion of the barley steamed, rolled and roasted to give it that dark color and distinctive taste. Despite its reputation as “meal in a glass”, it only has 198 calories per imperial pint (20oz), fewer than an equal sized glass of skim milk or orange juice.
Newcastle Brown Ale (Brown Ale): Newcastle Brown Ale is an English brown ale. Brown ales are typically made with dark or brown malt. They range from deep amber to brown in color and usually have caramel flavor overtones to it, due to the roasted malt. The British ales, such as Newcastle, tend to be darker, sweeter, and lower in alcohol content, whereas an American brown ale, such as Sierra Nevada Brown Ale, tend to be drier, more bitter, have a heavier body, and a slight accent of citrus due to the American variety of hops.
This is by no means even close to an exhaustive list of the wonderful suds that are out there, waiting to be consumed and appreciated. I’m sure you all have your favourite pint of suds. I await the day that India truly gets its first legitimate brewery or Beer Haus. Even the five star hotels won’t surprise you beyond a longneck of Corona. I’m asking for the real deal. Is that too much to ask?
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You are missing the greatest one of them all Stella Artois or Wifebeater. Its coming to Bombay very soon.
One may also try the very first Pilsner ever brewed Pilsner Urquell.
There are not many original India Pale Ale makers left that work with the old recipes.
Another thing to try for fun is to match cuisine with beer instead of wine. it actually works quite well. Chinese with Tsingtao, Thai with Singha, Mexican with Dos Equis (XX) and so on.