INDIA doesn’t spring to mind as a country where beers reigns supreme.
In fact my first encounter with beer and India was at a little bus stop in the middle of no where.
While waiting for the bus and in a desperate effort to rehydrate, the only option outside of water (which was a non no) and soft drink was hot beer.
That stayed with me for many decades so it was with some reluctance I decided to "brave Kingfisher Lager" - one of the country’s top drops (apparently).
After sampling this, I just wish they’d had some so many years ago – I wouldn’t have care if the bus never came!
This is a very appealing beer – a rich golden colour with a tight, white head.
It has a malty/hop aroma but not pronounced which `masks’ the flavour you get fright from the very first mouthful.
It is fruity (like some pale ales) with a slight sweetness to it and a distinct bitter aftertaste which surprisingly doesn’t linger.
At first I found Kingfisher a bit ‘wanting’ – lacking a full body which I really enjoy, but by the third mouthful, the clean crisp nature of Kingfisher had set in and I found this to ber an extremely sessionable beer.
Kingfisher definitely has a place in the Aussie market – even if it is brewed here under licence.
I think it is an ideal summer beer, thirst quenching and raw you back for more.
It is light in the gut and while it doesn’t have a robust flavour, the combination of a bitter/sweet aftertaste will give it very broad appeal.
I would recommend this with seafood and whit meat, especially chicken and of course good Indian curries with rice.
At 5 percent, it’s no lightweight beer so be advised, don’t plan on doing too much after a session on this little treat.
This is a great social beer which will find flavour with plenty of female drinkers or those looking for a refreshing beer that isn’t compromised by having lime or lemon added to it.
MY TIP
Serve this nice and cold, even chilled. Kingfisher Lager is an ideal beer to sit back and relax with as the weather heats up or at social events. It is a premium beer so expect to pay around $15 per 330ml six pack but I suspect after you have tried a few, you may be inquiring about the price per carton from your national retail outlet.