Matcha beer? Know about a new Japanese-inspired beer being served in Mumbai

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Matcha has moved beyond the teacup and desserts, and it is finding an unexpected new companion and you may have heard of it being included in many different types of dishes and drinks but beer is definitely new. 

The matcha beer has been created by Independence Brewing Company as they bring matcha and beer together, and call it ‘Say Konnichiwa’, a matcha beer that gives the classic European Light Lager a distinctly green, seasonal twist.

Inspiration for matcha beer

For matcha enthusiasts, Gen Z beer drinkers and anyone curious about what happens when two very different drinking cultures meet, this is one creation, and it coincides with Halloween as it is being served this weekend. Inspired by the ritual of whisking matcha and the playful imagery of a witch brewing her next potion, ‘Say Konnichiwa’ brings a little theatre to the beer glass. The matcha is whisked separately before being poured into the lager, creating a striking green-hued drink that feels right at home in the Halloween spirit.

The concept draws on matcha’s growing presence in contemporary food and drink culture. Deeply rooted in Japanese tea traditions, matcha has found fans across the globe, from Kyoto, where matcha beers are part of the local brewing landscape, to London, where the format has recently made its way onto menus. The craft brewery brings its own interpretation to the trend, pairing matcha with an easy-drinking European Light Lager.

At 4.5 per cent ABV and 22 IBU, the lager provides a light, crisp base for this seasonal creation. The result is an unconventional take on the familiar beer experience, built around an ingredient that has captured the imagination of a new generation of food and beverage enthusiasts.

If you are curious about the flavour profile, then the matcha adds a subtle earthy, grassy character with delicate green tea bitterness and a hint of umami. It complements the lager’s crisp, clean profile, creating a refreshing beer with a gentle, lingering tea-like finish without overpowering the base beer.

Named Say Konnichiwa, meaning “say hello” in Japanese, the beer hopes to appeal to the devoted matcha fan or those simply looking for an unexpected addition to their Halloween plans this year.

Available from October 30 at select outlets, ‘Say Konnichiwa’ is a unique take on the matcha craze in India amid the country’s love for craft beer.

Where: Across all Independence Brewing Company outlets in Mumbai and Pune
When: October 30 and 31

New microbrewery and taproom launches in Dadar this October

Amid Mumbai’s growing experiments with food and drink, the city’s beer lovers also have a new place to sip on craft beers called Madwater Brewery, and it is neither in Bandra nor in Lower Parel, but in Dadar, close to the railway station in Ruby Tower.

The 10,000 sq. ft. new brewery and taproom in Mumbai is built with a sustainability-led approach to design and materials, brings together in-house brewing, a Michelin Guide executive chef Gurudatt Sawant, who leads the kitchen and Bombay-inspired decor.

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