Best Beers Tasted & Reviewed

Everybody’s got to believe in something. I believe I’ll have another beer.

W.C.Fields

Beer isn’t just a drink—it’s an adventure in a glass. From the first sip to the last drop, every brew tells a story, and we’re here to help you find your perfect match. From craft creations to bold brews, strong stouts to mild lagers, and more, the list is select and exclusive. Our carefully curated list spans generational lines—appealing to the experimental GenZ, the classic GenX, and the trendsetting millennials.

In our curated edit, we’ve intentionally sidestepped the mainstream giant-daddies, knowing that brand recognition and widespread distribution don’t automatically translate to superior taste or brewing excellence.

Indian craft breweries are broadening their audiences with innovative ales. So, get ready to toast the holidays and welcome the new year with our definitive guide to the best brews. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or a casual imbiber, our pick promises to elevate your beer experience. We’ve done the hard work of tasting, reviewing, and selecting—now it’s your turn to explore. Let your hoppy hour begin with TheGlitz!

Simba

Style: Wit | Lager | Stout

Brewery: Simba Brewery

ABV: 4-5%

Overview:

Simba Wit: Simba Wit is a Belgian-style wheat beer brewed using the best malts and hops, flaked wheat, roasted barley and oats, is perfect for all weather. One whiff of this beer’s nose and you’ll be immersed in a world of tangerines. There’s more of the palate with a hint of orange peels, coriander, and lemongrass. The finish is crisp, dry and refreshing.

Verdict: When it comes to classic, balanced, full-flavored wit beer, it’s difficult to beat the appeal of Simba Wit on any give season or day.

Simba Lager: If you’re going to imbibe a light lager throughout the holidays, you might as well stock up on crates to last until the new year festivity. This crisp, refreshing, easy-to-drink, 4.8% ABV is different with a clean flavor profile and particularly enjoyable. Also, it pairs well with grills, salads, and light munchies. Cheers to effortless drinking.

Verdict: We loved the smoothness with a touch of crispiness on the palate. What could be better during the warm winter months?

Simba Stout: While you can’t go wrong with any of its offerings, we also suggest the flavorful Simba Stout. Crafted using fresh river water, premium malts, and meticulously selected hops under rigorous quality control, this stout is above average. Its deep ebony appearance with a mahogany head is loaded with roasty aromas. A nose of freshly ground rich cocoa and espresso greets you before your first sip, while the palate unfolds layers of toffee, creamy texture, and subtle sweetness. With a hoppy, mildly sweet finish and minimal bitterness, Simba Stout is a must-try for stout lovers.

Verdict: We recommend grabbing four bottles at one go—two for now and two for tomorrow—and keep repeating this weekend tradition.

Six Fields Brute

Style: Strong Lager

Brewery: DeVANS Brewery

ABV: 6%

This strong beer from DeVANS brewery expands the iconic Six Fields family, claiming to tame even the bold. With striking black and gold packaging, Brute is the first strong lager in the Six Fields range with up to 8% ABV. The beer delivers a full-bodied flavor with an ultra-smooth taste, making it ideal for those desiring a powerful kick with every sip. Representing a fearless persona, this latest addition to the Six Fields lineup is a must-try for everyone. It’s available in cans, bottles, and kegs.

Overview:

This exceptional lager came as a delightful surprise, representing a perfect harmony of flavors within a single can. Its deep amber hue immediately catches the eye, topped with an overflowing and inviting foam head that promises a rich drinking experience. The brew’s subtle yet distinctive aroma culminates in a smooth, soothing aftertaste that lingers on. Six Fields has crafted a lager that is uniquely satisfying to drink.

Verdict: Worth a try and a nice beer to add to your rotation.

Bira91

Style: Session IPA

Brewery: B9 Beverages Pvt. Ltd.

ABV: 4.5%

Overview:

Bira91 has revolutionized the beer scene with many award-winning brews. For this edition, we’ve chosen the limited release Bira91 Indian Pale Ale brewed with Pomelo. This IPA is a delight for hoppy beer enthusiasts, with its distinct aroma and malty consistency capturing hearts with every sip. The refreshing aroma and juiciness of Pomelo are perfectly balanced with wheat, barley malt, and fruity notes from Citra and Mosaic hops. It’s best enjoyed with spicy Indian curries to balance its sweetness and bitterness for a sumptuous delight.

Verdict: This beer packs a punch, making it unsuitable for beginners. However, for the adventurous and seasoned beer lovers, the hop bitterness is a true delight.

He-Man 9000

Style: Pale Ale

Brewery: Yuksom Breweries

ABV: 6.8%

Since 1987, Yuksom Breweries has been churning out great beer for lucky locals of the North-Eastern states of India for years.

Overview:

He-Man 9000 by Yuksom Breweries is here to redefine your moments of relaxation and celebration. Characterised by a distinctive hay-like malt profile, this brew boasts a vibrant, spritzy carbonation that tantalises and epitomises the genre. For an ultra-super strong beer, He-Man 9000’s bitterness level is quite controlled and easy on the palate. Resist. Sip, and let its hoppy top notes dance across your skull. This beer is a near-perfect example of a pale ale that checks all boxes. True brew enthusiasts and fans of strong beverages will undoubtedly appreciate this quintessential classic from Yuksom Breweries.

Verdict: With its bold flavor and smooth finish, this beer transcends seasons and occasions, making it a must-have on everyone’s list.

“Our comprehensive list of the best beers of 2024 exemplifies the variety of flavors and practices that elevate beer to an art form, embodying the spirit of craftsmanship and innovation.”

TheGlitz.Media

Bad Monkey

Style: Super Strong

Brewery: Sinq Beverage Pvt.Ltd

ABV: 8%

Bad Monkey, a product of SINQ BEVERAGE PVT LTD, has captured the hearts of consumers across India and beyond, known for its premium taste and quality. Its strong national demand reflects the brand’s dedication to excellence. With ambitions extending beyond India, the brand now aims to conquer international markets, exporting to Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East. Each CAN represents a step in their bold journey to become a global icon, delighting new audiences worldwide.

Overview:

Don’t let the grumpy monkey with a cigar clenched in its mouth intimidate you – Bad Monkey provides some serious suds action. Another classic strong ale that captivates from the moment it’s poured, revealing a striking frothy crown with a clear golden colour tone. Crafted with Himalayan water using barley and hops from Europe and North America, this brew offers a sophisticated sensory experience. The first aroma on the nose bursts with citrusy notes, promising a vibrant taste profile. Upon sipping, it has both a waxy bitterness and a lightening touch of citrus. The finish is quick, which speaks to how clean it’s brewed. We enjoyed it.

Verdict: Bad Monkey is wallet-friendly flavour bomb. Epic taste without the epic price.

Maka Di Belgian Blanche

Style: Wheat Ale

Brewery: Latambarcem Brewers

ABV: 4-5%

Overview:

Maka Di claims “This is a wheat beer with attitude. It’s cool. It’s spicy. It’s laid back, yet zesty.” We couldn’t agree more. This well-carbonated wheat ale offers an enticing blend of flavors with prominent citrus notes. On the nose you’ll find aromas of coriander, cumin, and Sicilian lemon peels. As you sip, you’ll notice distinct notes of cumin and coriander seeds that harmonise beautifully with the citrussy flavors of orange and lemon peels. With its light and hazy appearance, this beer presents a delightful, easy-drinking experience. This beer isn’t just to be sipped but to be savored, offering a sublime experience that stands out among wheat ales.

Verdict: A superior weekend afternoon crusher, by all means.

Rupee

Style: Basmati Rice Lager

Brewery: Dorchester Brewing

ABV: 4.75%

It might seem crazy to include a beer not available in India in our ultimate playlist segment, but this multi award-winning beer is an exception. It deserves recognition for being the first Indian American beer brand brewed in Portland, Maine.

Overview:

On a recent trip, we got to taste Rupee beer, and it stood out in every way—rich flavor, smooth texture, and a delightfully crisp finish. Brewed using imported basmati rice—a grain synonymous with premium quality—the lager incorporates maize, malted barley, and a trio of hops. This carefully curated blend delivers a nuanced flavor profile that breaks away from conventional beer trends. With lower carbonation levels, it offers a lighter, more refined drinking experience. Designed to pair perfectly with Indian, spicy, and international cuisines, Rupee redefines the art of craft beer.

Verdict: This Rupee is worth its value in dollars! If you’re a beer aficionado traveling to the US, we highly recommend giving it a try.

Geist James Bond

Style: Belgian-Style Strong Blond Ale

Brewery: Geist Brewing Co.

ABV: 7.7%

From a humble basement brewing setup in 2005 to their current sophisticated operation, Geist Brewing Co. has dramatically transformed while maintaining an unwavering commitment to delivering the freshest beer possible. They source their malts exclusively from passionate international artisanal maltsters who employ time-honored heritage techniques, ensuring consistently exceptional quality in every brew.

Overview:

This Belgian-style strong blond ale offers a delightful sensory experience. With a typically complex flavor profile, the Geist James Bond, with a subtle sweetness, is robust but super easy thanks to heavy hints of fruit flavors, balanced by a noble hop bitterness. The taste is complemented by a slight spiciness from the Belgian yeast, which imparts notes of clove and pepper. The mouthfeel is smooth and medium-bodied, with a noticeable but balanced alcohol warmth. The finish is smooth, leaving a pleasant, lingering taste that invites you to take another sip. Overall, it’s a harmonious blend of sweetness, fruitiness, and spice, making it a truly enjoyable beer.

Verdict: A delightful mix of sweet, spicy, and hoppy flavors in every can. Stock up your cooler and settle in for a cozy winter retreat.

Peoples Lager

Style: Goan Rice Lager

Brewery: Goa Brewing Co.

ABV: 4.5%

From Goa, Peoples Lager by Goa Brewing Co. is dedicated to crafting unique, nonconformist beers with a deep respect for nature and local communities. They brew these distinctive beers in small batches, adapting to the changing seasons, lifestyles, and moods. Each batch is unfiltered to maximise flavor, often featuring a haze or sediment. The ingredients are sourced directly from local growers and the finest foreign farms, using whole farm produce to ensure the highest quality and authenticity in every sip.

Overview:

Peoples Lager presents a clean and clear taste with a refreshing mouthfeel, making it an ideal thirst-quencher. The use of Ukdo (parboiled) rice introduces a unique flavor profile, adding subtle maltiness with grassy and woodsy notes. This beer offers a pleasant bitterness that is well-balanced, and the fizzy texture contributes to a delightful drinking experience. The toasted flavors from the rice blend seamlessly with the malty undertones, resulting in a pleasant and nuanced palate that refreshes and satisfies.

Verdict: It delivers on both drinkability and delight.

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***TheGlitzTip: No matter what you’re drinking, make sure you always drink responsibly. TheGlitz does not promote binge or underage drinking.