After spending a good six months at a vineyard and winery, all I could think, talk, sense and feel was wine. On a trip to Delhi in early March 2016, I was first introduced to this latest kid on the block in the Beer industry. Sitting at a plush Malayali speciality restaurant in Saket, I requested for tasters. My friends were intently waiting for my judgement on the beer to choose. There were not many to choose from, which made my job easy.
The two choices on offer were the Bira White Ale and the Bira Blonde Lager. Both these varieties felt like whiff of fresh air. While for most people beer is beer, I prefer to know and understand what I am drinking. Since we couldn’t really choose between which we wanted to try we ordered for a growler of the White Ale as well as the Blonde Lager. I must admit I am partial to the Bira Blonde Lager simply because it’s the kind of beer I prefer.
Bira 91 was launched in February early this year. While the brand says ‘Imagined in India’ this one is currently brewed in Belgium. The 91 in the name refers to India’s country code. Their mascot is an adorable monkey who reminded me of Mojo Jojo from the Powerpuff girls and is fun just like their beers.
The Bira91 White is typically the Belgian style Witbier, which is made of wheat and is low in bitterness. This pale golden but cloudy beer is flooded with aromas with the citrus and coriander being the outstanding ones and a hint of spice. And like most wheat beers this one is smooth, invigorating and an alcohol content of 4.9%.
The Bira 91 Blonde is a lager which is extra malty and has a distinctive bitterness. This clear beer is loaded with aromas, alcohol content of 4.9% and bitter hops grown in the Himalayas for that perfect taste, where the bitterness comes in right at the end. Bira is definitely refreshing, smooth and easy as compared to the other Lagers available in the market.
Bira 91 is available in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Pune.
A huge thanks to Cerana Beverages for this delight called Bira91.
