Traditional beers of India that you need to know!

We are pleased to inform you that on this International Beer Day, we have got for you a list of traditional beers from various regions of India so that you know where to move to once the pandemic is over!

If we say beers are the next most preferred drink for Indians, after Chai, it might not be wrong! At every meet-up and gathering, we like to have our hands at beer while talking about lives with our friends. But do you know that the ones that we drink are not the only beers that are produced in India? Yes, there are a lot of traditional beers made by the locals of various parts of the country that taste nothing less than heaven! So, on this International Beer Day, let's dive into checking the local beers of our place.

1. Handia- Jharkhand

Beer might be our go-to drink for meet-ups, but for the tribals of Jharkhand, it is much more than this. Handia, a rice-beer is considered a sacred drink for Santhals and Munda tribes who have been making it for centuries. They use Ranu, a herbal root mixture in the fermentation process, and it is not surprising to see them consuming this beer with all three of their meals.

2. Chhang- Arunachal Pradesh

Just 30 Km from the Sino-Indian border lies a valley in the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, which is much popular for producing Chhang. This traditional home-brewed local beer is made from millet or rice and is fermented with nurtured yeasts. For the Tagins, Bokar, and Pailibo, and other tribes who live in the valley, Chhang is their 'welcome drink'. You go there, and usually, they will offer this drink to you before serving anything else!

3. Tongba or Jaand- Sikkim

Tongba can often be seen if you visit the northeastern state, Sikkim. It is prepared from grain millets in 15 days. Not only this, after it is made, the Tongba is also kept for a total of 6 months before opening it for consumption. While the Jaand is the original name of the drink, the name 'Tongba' has been taken from the vessel in which it is prepared.

4. Chulli- Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is very popular for making a variety of beer in the most traditional way. One such beer is Chulli which belongs to the Kinnaur region. You will be amazed to know that Chulli, which is made from apples and apricots, is said to have healing properties too!

5. Lugdi- Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Do you remember the scene where the characters from 'Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani' were seen having a drink to survive the cold? They were referring to none other than Lugdi. It is a common drink of Manali, which is made from fermented rice and barley. Another amazing part about this drink is that it is considered a cultural heritage for the Adi and Mishing tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.

6. Apple Cider- McLeod Ganj and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh

And now, let's talk about one of the best substitutes of beer which is popular among the locals as well the tourists in McLeod Ganj and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. Made with apples and mixed with alcohol amounting to 8%, apple cider or hard cider tastes sweet and fizzy. If you get to attend the local weddings of Himachal, you will also get to see the popularity enjoyed by this drink among the locals!

While there might be more such traditional beers made in the local parts of India, we request you to put the names here that belong to your region!

Also Read: Home delivery of alcohol now possible in Delhi!

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