Rupee Beer Unveils Exquisite New India Pale Ale in Time for India's Grandest Festival

In a bid to rekindle the essence of India in the world of India Pale Ales (IPAs), Rupee Beer is set to launch its highly anticipated IPA just in time for India's most celebrated holiday. While many might associate IPAs with India, the history of this beer style has deeper English roots than one might expect.

The IPA, short for India Pale Ale, has a history that diverges from its name's suggestion. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't born in India but in England. As IPAs continue to surge in popularity among the craft beer community, a pertinent question arises: why do IPAs bear the name 'India,' while the majority of beers consumed in India are closer to American-style pale lagers?

The lineage of today's IPAs can be traced back to 19th century British India during the British Raj, a nearly 90-year period of British rule starting in 1858 when the governance of the East India Company was transferred to Queen Victoria's Crown. At this historical juncture, English ales were dispatched to India, destined for the British Indian army and the British expatriates residing in the subcontinent. During the arduous six-month sea voyages, beer often spoiled due to harsh conditions, prompting the addition of extra hops, which acted as a natural preservative.

In today's craft beer landscape, virtually every brewery boasts a flagship IPA, and the style has gained immense popularity across America in the last decade. IPAs are celebrated for their bold flavors and elevated alcohol by volume (ABV), adding to their charm. From juicy New England IPAs to the bitter west coast variations, this beer style offers an array of aromas, tasting notes, and limitless versatility.

Thanks to the profound influence of the British Empire on global history, its time in India left an indelible mark on the world of beer. The lengthy sea journeys to India transformed the taste of beer, making it hoppier and more bitter, akin to the beloved IPAs of today.

Rupee Beer, boasting a world-renowned master beer brewer from England, recognized as one of the craft beer industry's most influential figures, with a portfolio of over 100 global beer brands, has crafted a British-Indian style IPA. This beer offers a subtle hop character and a smooth finish, paying homage to the historical connection between Britain and India. Rupee is set to restore the 'India' to India Pale Ale with the grand release of its IPA just in time for Diwali, India's most significant festival.

About Rupee Beer

Named Best Beer for World Food and featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, BuzzFeed, The Boston Globe and numerous other global publications, Rupee is on a mission to create easy to drink beers which dismantle the traditional beer drinking experience. Rupee focuses on the way their beers are brewed, and how consumers of the beer feel when pairing beer and global flavors. Rupee’s award winning recipe is brewed with rice, maize, malted barley, and three types of unique hops allowing it to feel super smooth, light and have lower levels of gas and fizz.

Fifth generation entrepreneurs and sons of Indian restaurateurs, Van & Sumit Sharma found themselves continually frustrated they could never find Indian beer in Maine – the least diverse state in America where their family immigrated to from the U.K. in the early 90’s. They decided to not only create their own beer, but set out to game change the food & beverage industry in a bold and diverse way.

“Being Indian, born in London and having grown up in the states, we knew in our journey as a beer brand that the time was going to come to give the public what they had been asking for being an Indian beer company. For almost two two years, the number one question we get at craft beer festivals across America has been “where is your IPA?” Ahead of the largest holiday in India, Diwali, we are very excited to premier Rupee’s highly anticipated India Pale Ale brewed to the original style of an English ale”.

Rupee Beer became the first Indian inspired brand to be sold at select national retailers such as Costco, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Total Wine, as well as top international restaurants, liquor stores. It also was recently sold at Fenway Park as the first Indian brand sold at Major League Professional Sports.