Indian beer

davyd · Apr 2nd, 2006, 13:32

I'm enjoying now Russian beer T from Ol Cerveza produced by Interbeer.
In shop where I went in the morning I have seen almost hundred of sorts of beer from all over the world (price from 1 to 1.8 dollars per 0.5 litre), numerous wines, brands of cigarettes and so on.
I know this is not so good, but think that travellers may find useful to know that even established Indian trademarks of beer as Kingfisher may be of inferiour quality. In January I went to Pubworld in Bangalore (recommended by Lonely Planet, page 813) and talked to one American guy, who was going to help some Indian charity and write a book. He was appalled by quality of local Kingfisher and when I tasted it I agreed - it was sweet.
It's hard to find good beer though in India and if I have chance I would order Sandpiper. If Sandpiper not available I would order light Kingfisher. Beer in India cost generally around 2-3 dollars per bottle. Very rarely owners of bars insist on particular beer. It's happened with me in Tandoor bar & restaurant in Aurangabad (page 729 in LP). Curiously when I visited it it was empty then Australian couple appeared, seduced by inclusion of Tandoor in LP. They sat next to me and also were strongly recommended to take not Kingfisher but other kind. They refused like me. Then we talked a bit and laughed about sinister trick.

GoanCanuck · Apr 2nd, 2006, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyd

I know this is not so good, but think that travellers may find useful to know that even established Indian trademarks of beer as Kingfisher may be of inferiour quality.

The problem is not with Indian beer but the weather and conditions in India. Due to this, glycerine is added to the beer distorting the taste. If you drink Kingfisher beer bottled in the UK the taste is noticeably different.

aires69 · Apr 2nd, 2006, 22:44

And be ultra careful as the glycerine in the beer does not agree with all people and can give you the squits.

davyd · Apr 3rd, 2006, 00:26

Thanks for information about glycerin. Better not to drink beer in India at all especially when I can enjoy the finest beers here at home but on journey we seldom have choice. I remember chang in Sikkim was wonderful drink.
Anybody here can recommend other local drinks of India?

cyberhippie · Apr 3rd, 2006, 00:30

Well if you're brave there's always the ole Goan Feni!!

New-South-Welshman · Apr 3rd, 2006, 00:39

Has anyone had Taj Mahal Premium Lager? I first tried it in a bar on the harbour (here in Sydney) and I loved it! I hate the taste of Kingfisher, Bechs, etc, but had about 6 Taj's. I even loved the bottle and took one home and is now displayed in my room. The bottle has a painting of the Taj Mahal during sunset.

kidsan · Apr 3rd, 2006, 06:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoanCanuck

The problem is not with Indian beer but the weather and conditions in India. Due to this, glycerine is added to the beer distorting the taste. If you drink Kingfisher beer bottled in the UK the taste is noticeably different.

Do you know exactly what glycerine does? what's the connection with the weather?

Never really found a great beer in india but was fond of a bottle or 2 of the Sutter House cider, locally produced in HP...very appley

DanielM · Apr 3rd, 2006, 06:31

Its true...if you are brave, try the fenny. And if you like that, there's a whole new world of alcohol waiting for you. Here are some of my recceomendations:

If you go to rural places in Andhra Pradesh (In my case, on the road from H-bad to Pochampalli), you will see pots set at the top of palm trees. Incisions are made on the tree and sap and juice drips into the pots, where it ferments in the sun all day long. You will see men walking around with strange get-ups attatched to their chests. Ask one of them to retrieve some from the tree for you. If you do it in the morning it will not be alcoholic but as the day goes by the potency increases. They will serve it to you in a cup made out of a palm branch.
You can find similar things all over India. Another place I experienced it was outside Gaya, but with a slightly different set up.
I have also heard on the AP coast they will bury certain kinds of trash, wait for it to ferment, then drink it...that I have not tried, nor am I planning to.

goangoangone · Apr 3rd, 2006, 09:01

Quote:

If you drink Kingfisher beer bottled in the UK the taste is noticeably different.

So is the price!

goangoangone · Apr 3rd, 2006, 09:06

Quote:

Do you know exactly what glycerine does? what's the connection with the weather?

It's another form of alcohol, used as a preservative. I prefer hops.

kidsan · Apr 3rd, 2006, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by goangoangone

It's another form of alcohol, used as a preservative. I prefer hops.

I have seen people removing (some of) the glycerine by inverting the beer bottle into a glass of water and just watch that heavy glycerine tumble out!

too impatient myself for this....

goangoangone · Apr 4th, 2006, 09:48

I've heard of that but wasn't sure how they did it. I'll try it now......with someone else's beer, of course.

edwardseco · Apr 4th, 2006, 10:27

Try Himalan Blue (Sikkim) or some of the smaller varieties. Kingfisher is awful but I might get one just to try that trick. I have a bottle of Fenny and it varies widely. One of these days when I am totally free for a longish period I'll go at it..

somnath · Apr 4th, 2006, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyd

......I remember chang in Sikkim was wonderful drink.
Anybody here can recommend other local drinks of India?

Chhang is just great

. and other local drinks:
1. The people of Kerala produce a potent rice spirit that they call “Arrack”. Maybe, this drink is called “Hariya” in West Bengal. A very common drink in Santhali community.

2. Liquor made from the Mahua flower. I just wanted to quote:

“In Madhya Pradesh the tribals produce another highly potent liquor from the Mahua flower. No name and no marketing. You either go there and drink it or you don’t get it. It is probably the best of the Indian spirits. No hangover and the kick of a regiment of mules. And it tastes good. Smooth as silk and a mild undefinable flavour of flowers rather like Carlsberg freshly brewed. Tequila would lose in any competition with Mahua.” - http://www.gourmetindia.com/pgview.php?id=234

Drink made from Mahua flower is not restricted to MP only, but this is very popular in tribal belts of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa. This is a different drink but the aroma is very strong. One or two piece of roasted clove can easily solve the problem

.

cyberhippie · Apr 4th, 2006, 13:02

Right now must be Urak season in Goa, another strange tasting alchoholic drink made from the cashew apples I believe. A bike ride in the country will alert you that something is going on!!

I like it mixed with Limca!!

Apr 2nd, 2006, 13:32	#1
davyd just a traveler Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 323	Indian beer I'm enjoying now Russian beer T from Ol Cerveza produced by Interbeer. In shop where I went in the morning I have seen almost hundred of sorts of beer from all over the world (price from 1 to 1.8 dollars per 0.5 litre), numerous wines, brands of cigarettes and so on. I know this is not so good, but think that travellers may find useful to know that even established Indian trademarks of beer as Kingfisher may be of inferiour quality. In January I went to Pubworld in Bangalore (recommended by Lonely Planet, page 813) and talked to one American guy, who was going to help some Indian charity and write a book. He was appalled by quality of local Kingfisher and when I tasted it I agreed - it was sweet. It's hard to find good beer though in India and if I have chance I would order Sandpiper. If Sandpiper not available I would order light Kingfisher. Beer in India cost generally around 2-3 dollars per bottle. Very rarely owners of bars insist on particular beer. It's happened with me in Tandoor bar & restaurant in Aurangabad (page 729 in LP). Curiously when I visited it it was empty then Australian couple appeared, seduced by inclusion of Tandoor in LP. They sat next to me and also were strongly recommended to take not Kingfisher but other kind. They refused like me. Then we talked a bit and laughed about sinister trick.

Apr 3rd, 2006, 00:39	#6
New-South-Welshman Drunk Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW Posts: 1,397	Has anyone had Taj Mahal Premium Lager? I first tried it in a bar on the harbour (here in Sydney) and I loved it! I hate the taste of Kingfisher, Bechs, etc, but had about 6 Taj's. I even loved the bottle and took one home and is now displayed in my room. The bottle has a painting of the Taj Mahal during sunset. __________________ Mr. Burns "Non-violence never solved anything!"

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Apr 2nd, 2006, 22:44	#3
aires69 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 33	And be ultra careful as the glycerine in the beer does not agree with all people and can give you the squits.

Apr 3rd, 2006, 00:26	#4
davyd just a traveler Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 323	Thanks for information about glycerin. Better not to drink beer in India at all especially when I can enjoy the finest beers here at home but on journey we seldom have choice. I remember chang in Sikkim was wonderful drink. Anybody here can recommend other local drinks of India?

Apr 3rd, 2006, 00:30	#5
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Well if you're brave there's always the ole Goan Feni!!

Apr 3rd, 2006, 06:31	#8
DanielM Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Lucknow/Austin Posts: 45	Its true...if you are brave, try the fenny. And if you like that, there's a whole new world of alcohol waiting for you. Here are some of my recceomendations: If you go to rural places in Andhra Pradesh (In my case, on the road from H-bad to Pochampalli), you will see pots set at the top of palm trees. Incisions are made on the tree and sap and juice drips into the pots, where it ferments in the sun all day long. You will see men walking around with strange get-ups attatched to their chests. Ask one of them to retrieve some from the tree for you. If you do it in the morning it will not be alcoholic but as the day goes by the potency increases. They will serve it to you in a cup made out of a palm branch. You can find similar things all over India. Another place I experienced it was outside Gaya, but with a slightly different set up. I have also heard on the AP coast they will bury certain kinds of trash, wait for it to ferment, then drink it...that I have not tried, nor am I planning to.

Apr 4th, 2006, 09:48	#12
goangoangone What happened? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,542	I've heard of that but wasn't sure how they did it. I'll try it now......with someone else's beer, of course.

Apr 4th, 2006, 10:27	#13
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,224	Try Himalan Blue (Sikkim) or some of the smaller varieties. Kingfisher is awful but I might get one just to try that trick. I have a bottle of Fenny and it varies widely. One of these days when I am totally free for a longish period I'll go at it..

Apr 4th, 2006, 13:02	#15
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Right now must be Urak season in Goa, another strange tasting alchoholic drink made from the cashew apples I believe. A bike ride in the country will alert you that something is going on!! I like it mixed with Limca!!

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