Malayali Beer
Malayali Beer is a hybrid rice-based lager brewed in Poland by Kerala-born entrepreneurs.[1][2] Launched in November 2022, the beer blends Indian rice flakes with European hops.
History
Malayali Beer was conceived by Chandramohan "Chandu" Nallur and Sargheve Sukumaran, following supply chain disruptions caused by the Russia–Ukraine war. The pair sought to repurpose approximately 20 tonnes of surplus Indian parboiled rice flakes, originally imported for the hospitality sector. With technical input from Polish-based Malayali brewer Lijo Phillip (creator of Kalikut 1498), the team developed a hybrid beer that succeeded on its third brewing attempt on November 13, 2022.
Branding and Production
The beer’s label combines Malayalam typography with a stylized face wearing Kathakali headgear and sunglasses—a nod to actor Mohanlal. The name "Malayali" was chosen to reflect community identity and pride, especially after the word gained emotional significance among Keralites during the Ukraine evacuation crisis.
Malayali Beer is brewed in Poland using locally sourced hops and Indian rice flakes, producing a light-bodied lager designed to pair with spicy and global cuisines.
Launch and Reception
After its initial batch in November 2022, Malayali Beer became commercially available in Poland in July 2023. By the end of that year, it had sold around 36,000 bottles, and by August 2024, an additional 155,000 bottles were sold. The beer is stocked in over 117 establishments in Poland—including 39 in Warsaw—ranging from Indian restaurants to Mexican and Italian bars. According to distributors, the beer outsold Kingfisher three-to-one in some locations.[3]
Expansion
Distributed via Little India Group, Malayali Beer has been licensed for private events, including weddings. Malayali is currently present in 14 countries including the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and will soon be available in 26 countries by December 2025, making it the third largest brand for an Indian beer brand and overall sixth in the world among all beer brands. The two-year-old company was valued at 45 crores with an investment of 9 crores from UAE-based investors in January 2025.
The company currently has:
- Malayali Premium (~4.8% ABV)
- Malayali Power (~7.5% ABV)
- Malayali Habibi (~0.0 % ABV)
Cultural Impact
Malayali Beer has garnered attention among the global Malayali diaspora for its strong cultural identity. The product received enthusiastic responses online, especially on platforms like Reddit[4], where users celebrated it as a symbol of Malayali pride abroad.
See also
References
- ↑ "Meet the Malayali beer, brewed in Poland". The Week. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ "Meet Malayali Beer, brewed in Poland by Keralites". Onmanorama. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ "Kerala to Krakow: How Malayali Beer found its home in Poland". The Hindu. February 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ↑ "Reddit reaction to Malayali beer". Reddit. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
External links
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