India’s beer scene has been evolving rapidly. As consumer tastes mature, the market is now a mix of legacy giants, regional strong beers, and bold craft newcomers. If you are a beer lover in 2025, here’s a curated list of top 10 beer brands in India you should try — including a fresh pick, Medusa Beer — along with tips and FAQs to help you navigate this landscape.
Why “Top 10 beer brands in India” matters today
Before diving into the list, here are a few reasons why the phrase top beer brands in India is more than just a tagline:
- It reflects both popularity and quality — brands that are widely consumed and also well regarded
- It helps newcomers and enthusiasts explore beyond the typical names
- It’s useful for SEO (if you’re writing or searching) — the phrase is frequently searched by those wanting to explore Indian beer
- It marks the changing tide: India is no longer just a “beer-light market”— more premium, craft, strong, and flavored beers are emerging
With that in mind, here are eleven noteworthy Indian beer brands (in no strict ranking order), including legacy stalwarts and craft disruptors.
1. Kingfisher
Perhaps the most synonymous beer name in India, Kingfisher (by United Breweries) is a must-try for anyone exploring Indian beer.
- Style & taste: Primarily a mainstream lager (also available in variants like Kingfisher Premium, Kingfisher Ultra, Kingfisher Strong, etc.)
- Strength & appeal: Its light, crisp character makes it highly drinkable and a safe “go-to” for many
- Why try it: It offers a taste baseline that many Indian drinkers relate to; knowing it helps you contrast with craft/strong alternatives
- Note: In early 2025, United Breweries (which owns Kingfisher) paused beer supply in Telangana due to operating losses in that state.
2. Bira 91
When craft beer started gaining traction in India, Bira 91 was one of the trailblazers.
- Style & variants: They offer multiple variants — Bira 91 White (wheat beer), Bira 91 Blonde (craft lager), Bira 91 Strong, Bira 91 IPA, and Light.
- Strength & appeal: Because of the variety, you can choose a milder or stronger version depending on your mood
- Why try it: It bridges the gap between mainstream and craft, with more personality and experimentation
- Caveat: Craft beers often have batch-to-batch variation; check freshness and availability in your region
3. Tuborg / Carlsberg Elephant
Though Tuborg is a Danish brand (under Carlsberg), its Tuborg / Elephant variants are quite popular in India, especially the strong versions (Elephant is known for higher ABV).
- Style & taste: Light lagers under the standard Tuborg branding, and bold character for Elephant / Tuborg strong
- Why try it: It gives a comparative international flavor while staying accessible in India
- Strong beer fans: Elephant is one to sample if you like strong beer notes (high ABV)
4. Haywards 5000 / Haywards
Haywards 5000 has long been a domain name among strong beers in India.
- Style & appeal: Known as a strong beer, it appeals to drinkers who prefer fuller body and punch
- Why try it: If you’re exploring the strong-beer category in India, Haywards 5000 is a legacy brand that still holds appeal
- Tip: As strong beers can vary, sample smaller bottles first to check if it suits your palate
5. Godfather
Godfather is one of the long-established Indian beer brands, especially in the strong beer niche.
- Heritage: Present in India for decades, with deep roots in regional strong beer culture
- Strength variants: Has “Super 8” and other stronger versions
- Why try it: For an authentic taste of the traditional strong beer profile, which many veteran drinkers appreciate
6. Lion (Mohan Meakin)
Mohan Meakin’s Lion is often hailed as Asia’s first beer, and still plays a vintage yet revived role in Indian beer culture.
- Heritage & revival: First brewed in the 1840s, Lion has been relaunched in recent years by Mohan Meakin.
- Style & taste: A classic lager, leaning toward traditional, less aggressive hop bitterness
- Why try it: For historical context and to experience what earlier Indian beers tasted like
7. Yuksom Breweries
A lesser-known but regionally strong presence, Yuksom Breweries (based in Sikkim) produces beers appreciated among connoisseurs.
- Varieties: They produce premium lager, diet/strong beers, export lagers, and regional variants.
- Why try it: For craft and regional diversity — especially if you travel or can access beers from the northeast or Sikkim region
8. Simba
In the craft-beer movement, Simba has been making waves and winning recognition globally.
- Achievements: Simba won a Silver medal for its Simba Wit and Bronze for Simba Stout at the 2025 World Beer Awards (India country winner category).
- Style & character: They experiment — stouts, witbiers, and modern craft profiles
- Why try it: To sample some of the best of India’s craft innovation in 2025
9. White Rhino Brewing Co.
Though smaller and more niche, White Rhino is a craft brewery worth sampling.
- Location & identity: Based near Gwalior (Malanpur), they brew a lager, a Belgian-style wit, and IPAs.
- Why try it: It gives you a taste of local craft brewing effort, less industrial, more experimental
10. Medusa Beer
Finally, a relatively new but bold entrant, Medusa Beer is making itself known.
- Brand & positioning: Medusa is headquartered in Delhi and markets itself as a premium brand for distinct tastes.
- Style & variants: They have a Premium Strong version (with ~6 % ABV) barfecto.com, and also a lighter variant called “Medusa Air Mild” (4.5 % ABV) Medusa Beverages
- Strategic angle: Medusa aims to fill the mid-ABV range (4.5–5.9 %) between light and super-strong beers, offering flavor without excess. brewer-world.com
- Why try it: Because it is a modern, evolving domestic brand that balances drinkability and flavor — a good bridge between mainstream and craft.
- Caution: As with many young brands, distribution may be limited to select cities — check local availability
Honourable Mentions & International Imports
While the focus is on Indian brands, some imports and collaborations deserve note:
- Budweiser Magnum — a variant made specially for India (6.5 % ABV).
- Heineken, Corona, Hoegaarden — regularly found in metro bars in India
- Kati Patang — a craft brewery recognized internationally (won awards at NY International Beer Competition) for its Saffron Lager, etc.
These help you compare Indian styles with global benchmarks.
How to Explore These Beers: Tips for Beer Lovers
- Start with lighter variants first (e.g. Medusa Air Mild, Kingfisher) to calibrate your palate
- Taste side-by-side: sample a mainstream lager, a regional strong, and a craft version to sense differences
- Check freshness: Beer, especially craft, is best consumed fresh
- Ask bartenders or local shops: They often know what new batches or local variants are in stock
- Mind ABV and strength: Indian strong beers may punch harder than Western equivalents
- Pair with food: Lighter lagers go with spicy Indian cuisine; stouts and strong beers can complement richer fare
FAQ About Top Beer Brands in India
Q1: What qualifies a brand to be among the “top beer brands in India”?
A: Typically a mix of factors — market share, popularity, distribution, innovation, critical acclaim, and consistency of quality.
Q2: Are these brands available everywhere in India?
A: No. Many craft or newer brands like Medusa or White Rhino may be limited to certain cities or states. Alcohol laws differ across Indian states, affecting availability.
Q3: What’s the difference between a “strong beer” and a regular beer in Indian market terms?
A: In India, “strong beer” often refers to beers with higher alcohol content (5 %+ or more) and fuller body, compared to lighter lagers or mild beers.
Q4: Can I expect consistent flavor across batches?
A: Mainstream brands usually maintain consistency. For craft or newer brands, slight variation is common — it’s part of the appeal, but also something to be aware of.
Q5: Is Medusa Beer safe / legal / reliable?
A: Yes — Medusa is a registered Indian beer brand. Like any brand, check the bottle label, manufacturing date, and local licensing.
Q6: Which beer should a beginner try first?
A: Start with something easy and light (e.g., Kingfisher Premium or Medusa Air Mild). Once comfortable, progress to bolder variants.
Q7: How should I store beer at home?
A: Store upright, cool (4–12 °C), away from sunlight. For craft beer, shorter shelf life means consume sooner rather than later.
Conclusion
In 2025, the landscape for top 10 beer brands in India is richer and more vibrant than ever. While stalwarts like Kingfisher continue to dominate, brands like Bira 91, Medusa, Simba, and White Rhino push boundaries with craft, flavor, and experimentation. Whether you’re a seasoned beer connoisseur or someone just dipping your toes, exploring these brands offers a journey across India’s brewing heritage and emerging future.
If you like, I can also prepare a tasting guide or beer map by city, or an optimized SEO version of this post. Do you want me to do that?
