International Beer Day is truly our favourite time of the year. A time to celebrate beer in all its forms. There’s nothing quite like a cold beer to cool down on a steamy day at home or after work.

Whether you are an IPA guy or a witbier gal, a pro stout’er or a lager newbie, all beer aficionados would agree that nothing pulls people together like the perfect combination of grain, hops, water, and yeast. And while you may drink it to celebrate a sporting event or on a city date at the local bar, August 4 this year is all about celebrating the drink itself.

And to help you celebrate International Beer Day, TheGlitz has picked eight different beers worth seeking out to jam with friends. Two are international imports. Six are domestic brands, to help you make the most of it.

PERONI

One of the most popular brands in the world, Peroni is probably best known worldwide for its pale lager. Established in 1846, this Italian masterpiece has made its mark as the quintessential Italian beer.

Style: Pale Lager
Nose: The beer, when opened, has a very strong, happy smell. The aroma is a bit metallic and somewhat reminiscent of weed. Once you let it settle, you’re treated to an aroma of grainy malts, grassy hops, and maybe a hint of corn.
Palate: Brewed with superior ingredients for a unique, uplifting taste, Peroni Nastro Azzurro is pale golden, crisp, and refreshing, with a delicate balance of bitterness, citrus, and aromatic notes, ending with a clean finish.
ABV: 5.1%

Availability: Limited

Peroni is exclusively imported by Aspri Spirits.

Aspri Spirits is India’s leading importer and distributor of the finest alco-bev from around the world. They have been sourcing wonderful premium spirits since 2004. The extensive portfolio of Aspri Spirits includes Gin, Tequila, Liqueur, Vodka, Beer, Whisky, and more.

COOPERS

Welcome to Australia’s iconic Pale Ale. A refreshing, smooth, easy-drinking ale that is sure to turn heads.

Style: Pale Ale
Nose: Pale Ale is a hop-forward beer with a malty flavour. Brewed with pale malt and ale yeast, it bridges the gap between stouts and lagers.
Palate: Fruity and floral characters, balanced with crisp bitterness using the finest raw materials and traditional ale brewing techniques.
ABV: 4.5%

Availability: Limited

Coopers Original Ale is exclusively imported by VBev.

VBev is India’s leading importer and distributor of the finest alco-bev from around the world. They have been sourcing wonderful premium spirits since 2004 and represent some of the world’s major Wineries and Spirit brands. The extensive portfolio of VBev includes Whisky, Vodka, Tequila, Beer, Baijiu, Brandy, Aperitifs, Wine, and more.

LONE WOLF

Coinciding with International Beer Day, Lone Wolf, a new-aged homegrown beer brand launched two new premium variants to their repertoire. Lone Wolf Alpha and Lone Wolf Mavrick. Lone Wolf Mavrick is a light and crisp, all-day 100% malt lager, whereas Lone Wolf Alpha is a Belgian Witbier with a twist.

It will have the customary citrus and coriander notes, but it is much lighter-bodied than traditional Belgian Witbiers, making it the ideal summer beverage. Both of these variations have an ABV of less than 5%.

Tasting Notes:

The beer’s nose is exactly what you expect from a classic brew. You’ll find aromas of citrus and coriander. On the palate, it’s very drinkable. Overall, a well-balanced citrus-driven beer. It’s the kind of beer you’ll want on hand at all times.

Available: Limited

TUBORG ICE DRAFT

This April, reinforcement in the Tuborg family made a grand entry: filtered at -1°C, Tuborg Ice Draft was launched with much fanfare for all beer lovers in India. This golden brew owes its crisp, easy finish to its soft hay-like malty character, a refreshing barley base, and a touch of earthiness from the yeast that adds some complexity. Unlike what Tuborg has introduced to date, Ice Draft is gimmick-free but executed flawlessly.

Style: Lager Pale
Nose: Soft, floral, fruity, and spicy notes peek out from a body with just a touch of pleasant hoppy aroma.
Palate: Very crisp and refreshing, it provides waves of hops and barley flavours throughout the palate, with no bitterness at all to the finish. Straight up, this beer rules.
ABV: 4.2%

Availability: Across India

SIMBA

India’s first bottled stout and a premium-segment Belgian-style Witbier. It delights beer lovers with its citrusy, lemongrass, and yeast characteristics. It pours a hazy golden colour with a fluffy white head and a refreshing combination of fruity and herby flavours. Consider it a perfectly acceptable gateway beer.

Style: Wit
Nose: You pick up coriander and lemongrass with a hint of orange peel.
Palate: The palate is more of the same, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
ABV: 5%

Availability: Limited

KATI PATANG

This amber-gold delight comes from a brewery called Kati Patang. Brewed in Bhutan, made from Himalayan spring water, slightly less malty and more hoppy. Right off the bat, nothing super groundbreaking here, but a great lawnmower beer on a lazy afternoon. If this is convincing enough, we suggest you give it a try.

Style: Amber Ale
Nose: Expect a slightly cloudy appearance with notes of all-natural malts and aromatic hops.
Palate: Despite its high hop content, Kati Patang maintains a smooth and well-rounded profile with a creamy caramel finish.
ABV: 4.8%

Availability: Limited

BIRA 91

A happy, hoppy, fresh, tropical session Indian Pale Ale with zesty aromas and a bitter finish. This IPA is brewed with Northwest USA-sourced Citra and Mosaic hops and balanced with Pomelo juice, which results in a memorable, hoppy, flavorful beer. Perfect for sweltering evenings with a friend or two, this beer is to be drunk by the glass, not by the taster.

Style: American IPA
Nose: On the nose, it offers a “tropical traffic jam of aromas.” Expect notes of pineapple. mango and a touch of malty honeyed biscuit.
Palate: The finish is a memorable mix of fruity sweetness and pleasant bitterness.
ABV: 4.5%

Availability: Across India

BeeYoung

BeeYoung, India’s first strong craft beer by Kimaya Himalayan, is known for combining great ingredients to create delectable handmade drinks. Handpicked two-row Argentina barley lends the perfect maltiness, while sortex rice and yeast make up for the smooth flavour. This phenomenal brew is a near-perfect example of an excellent, strong stout that checks all the boxes.

Style: Strong Craft
Nose: It smells like a citrus grove in bloom. Soft and gently bitter yet full of flavour and funk.
Palate: Charmingly gentle on the palate. The finish of this brew is further accentuated by Columbus and Styrian Golding hops. Overall, magical.
ABV: 7.2%

Availability: North India

Cover image courtesy: Darlene via Unsplash