India & UK: Indian craft brewer Bira 91 rolling out its craft beers in the UK

Independent Indian craft brewer Bira 91 is rolling out its range of craft beers, including Blonde Lager, White Ale and Indian Pale Ale, across the UK, the Bar Magazine reported on February 4.

Brewed in India with Belgian recipes, Bira 91 is on a mission to “drive the global shift in craft beer towards more colour and flavour”.

The three-strong portfolio begins with Blonde Lager, a “vibrant, crisp and clean” 4.5% ABV lager made with American-grown Cascade hops and Mandarina Bavaria hops, a new German hop variety out of the hops research centre at Hüll in Bavaria, featuring aromas of mandarin orange.

White Ale (4.7% ABV) is Bira 91’s modern take on a Belgian-style wheat beer. Brewed with orange peel, which gives the beer a “citrus burst with a soft, fruity finish”, it has a low bitterness and can be paired with salads, cheese and fish.

Making up the trio is the brand’s Indian Pale Ale. Described as “tropical, balanced and bright”, the 4.5% ABV IPA is brewed with toasted and caramel malts, new age hops and finished with pomelo fruit, one of the largest citrus fruits in the world. The “easy drinking” beer offers “subtle sweetness and nuttiness”, and can be matched with an array of spicy food.

All three Bira 91 beers are currently available UK-wide in 330ml bottles, with cans in development and Blonde Lager available on draft, to order in a 30L keg.

Bira 91 founder Ankur Jain said: “Consumers opting for a more fun, relaxing beer-drinking experience that doesn’t compromise on quality, taste and experience will be pleased with the way Bira 91 bridges the gap between macro and craft beers with a playful brand that is intimately local yet universal and full of flavour.

“Bira 91 extends the craft beer market’s reach to UK millennials, who have quickly fallen in love with the playful brand around the world.”

04 February, 2020