Bengaluru is unequivocally the beer capital of the country — both Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, the CEO of Simba beer, and we can agree on that. The craft beer brand, already popular in Goa and Delhi, finally launched in Bengaluru last week. In our interview we speak to Prabhtej about how it all began and why it took so long for the lion’s roar to reach the IT capital.
Prabhtej, who comes from a business family in Chhattisgarh recalls, “My grandfather used to sell liquor going around on a cycle.” Fast forward to 2008, Prabhtej who was studying in the UK was very impressed with the beer culture and decided to create a craft beer brand that India could really call its own. “We wanted to start immediately. We got our own license and set up our own brewery in. We even faced some opposition from the villagers, so it took a long time,” he says. The brand eventually launched in Goa in 2017.
Prabhtej says they studied the Bengaluru market for a long time before finally deciding to make their way here. Although they wanted to launch in May, their plans were delayed due to the elections. The Simba Wit is light and crisp with notes of orange peel, coriander and lemongrass. The malt is imported from Germany. The Simba Stout is rich and creamy with flavours of coffee and chocolate.
The ingredients for the stout are imported from France. “We would love to do an IPA, but the logistics of beer transportation in India do not allow us to do it yet,” he explains. Although the city is saturated with breweries, Prabhtej is not deterred by the competition. “I think the market is real fun right now” he shares, adding, “Many of the city-based breweries are also releasing their own bottled beers. I think together we will all build an industry,” he enthuses. Next on the cards, Simba has its eyes on Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad and more styles of beer on offer.
Rs. 110 upwards. Available across the city
anagha@newindianexpress.com
Twitter: @anaghzzz