The History of Indian Home-brewing

If you thought home-brewing was a quirky, modern-day hobby picked up by urban enthusiasts, think again. In India, brewing at home is as old as the land itself. From tribal villages in the Northeast to coastal towns in Goa, fermentation has been part of everyday life for centuries.

Of course, the styles and flavours have changed, from earthy rice beers to fruity wines and craft beers bubbling in modern apartments. But the idea has remained the same: turning simple ingredients into something that brings people together.

Let’s take a journey through the fascinating history of Indian home-brewing.

Picture of a map of India

Ancient Brews and Tribal Traditions

The story begins thousands of years ago, with indigenous communities across India who discovered that grains and fruits, left to rest, would transform into intoxicating brews.

• In Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, villagers still make Handia, a rice beer fermented with a special herbal starter cake. It isn’t just a drink — it’s an offering in festivals, marriages, and rituals.

• The Ao Nagas of Nagaland prepare Zutho, a cloudy rice beer that carries sweet and tangy flavours.

• In Meghalaya, locals enjoy Kyat, another rice-based brew often served in bamboo mugs.

• In Kerala and coastal Karnataka, toddy tapping (fermenting the sap of palm trees) has been practiced for centuries, producing a frothy, slightly sour drink consumed fresh.

For these communities, brewing wasn’t about luxury or experimentation. It was about culture, tradition, and connection. Sharing a brew meant sharing life.

Colonial Encounters and European Influence

When the British arrived, they brought with them their own brewing culture. Beer, ale, and rum became part of the colonial social fabric. European-style breweries began to emerge in cities like Kolkata, Shimla, and Bangalore to cater to officers who longed for a taste of home.

Interestingly, this colonial wave also influenced Goan households. Under Portuguese influence, Goa began producing feni (distilled from cashew apples or coconut sap). Families often brewed small batches for personal use, blurring the line between home-brewing and local industry.

This mix of tribal tradition and colonial introduction meant that India had two brewing streams running side by side, one rooted in ancient rituals, the other shaped by European tastes.

The Quiet Decline

After Independence, India’s relationship with brewing shifted. Industrialisation meant large-scale breweries started dominating the market. Lager beer, whisky, and rum became widely available, leaving little space for traditional or homemade brews.

On top of that, state regulations and excise laws made home fermentation legally grey. Unlike baking or pickling, brewing suddenly carried a sense of “taboo.” Urban households moved away from the practice, and tribal traditions were dismissed as “local” or “rustic.”

By the late 20th century, home-brewing in cities had almost vanished, surviving only in pockets of rural India.

The Modern Revival

Fast forward to the 2000s, and something changed. The global craft beer movement reached Indian shores, and with it came curiosity about brewing as a hobby. Young professionals who had traveled abroad returned with stories of microbreweries, fruity ciders, and garage experiments.

Today, India is seeing a small but passionate resurgence in home-brewing:

• DIY Beer & Wine Kits: With starter kits now available online, even a beginner can try their hand at brewing.

• Workshops & Clubs: Cities like Bangalore, Pune, and Goa host workshops where hobbyists learn to ferment beer, wine, or kombucha.

• Fruit Wines: Entrepreneurs are experimenting with mango, pineapple, and jamun wines, inspired by global trends and local produce.

• Probiotic Brews: With the wellness movement, kombucha and kefir are finding their place alongside traditional alcohol-based brews.

Of course, legal restrictions still exist, most states don’t allow selling what you brew at home, but that hasn’t stopped enthusiasts from experimenting in their kitchens.

History of Indian Home-brewing, Why This Revival Matters?

This new wave of home-brewing isn’t just about alcohol. It’s about reconnecting with tradition in a modern way. For tribal communities, brewing always carried social significance. For today’s urban brewers, it’s about creativity, curiosity, and the joy of making something yourself.

In many ways, the two streams are meeting again. Home-brewing in India has gone full circle, from being a sacred tradition, to being overshadowed by industrialisation, to coming back as a hobby that celebrates both heritage and innovation.

Final Sip

So, when you hear about someone fermenting wine in their apartment or brewing beer in a bucket, know that they’re part of a much older story. A story that stretches from bamboo mugs in Nagaland to sleek tasting glasses in Goa.

Home-brewing in India isn’t just a trend. It’s a revival of something ancient, adapted to the present, and bubbling with possibilities for the future.

After all, there’s something magical about creating your own drink. You’re not just brewing alcohol, you’re brewing community, history, and a little bit of yourself.

Curious to explore more about wines and brewing? Join our community of wine lovers and home-brewers, whether you’re raising a glass at dinner or experimenting with your first batch, we’ve got stories, tips, and inspirations waiting for you.