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Portland, Maine — Rupee Beer, named Best Beer to Pair with World Food, is a multi-award-winning line of Indian-inspired beers specially crafted to complement Indian, spicy, and global cuisines.

Since launching in 2020, Rupee Beer has stayed true to its mission: reimagining how beer pairs with bold, flavorful global dishes. After successfully entering the Pacific Northwest with its launch in Washington state, Rupee is excited to announce its expansion into Oregon, bringing its total U.S. distribution footprint to 22 states.

A Portfolio Crafted for Global Flavor
Rupee Beer has earned widespread acclaim for its thoughtfully designed lineup, which includes:

Basmati Rice Lager (flagship)
India Pale Ale
Mango Wheat Ale (summer seasonal)
Non-Alcoholic option
Darjeeling Hard Tea

Each beer is brewed to balance and enhance the spices and complexity of Indian and international cuisines. The range was developed in collaboration with legendary master brewer Alan Pugsley, a 40-year industry veteran who has helped launch more than 100 beer brands worldwide.

About the Founders

Brothers Van and Sumit Sharma, sons of Indian restaurateurs with over 50 years in the business, grew up surrounded by the vibrant flavors of Indian cuisine. After their family immigrated to Maine from Europe, the brothers noticed a clear gap: reliable, high-quality Indian beer was hard to find in a state often described as one of the least diverse in America.

Following time living in London and Australia, the Sharmas returned to Portland, Maine during the pandemic. Drawing on their family heritage and frustrated by the lack of beers that truly paired well with spicy Indian food, they created Rupee Beer — a fresher, locally crafted alternative designed specifically for bold, global dishes.
Partnering with Alan Pugsley — a British expat in Maine and longtime fan of Indian cuisine — the brothers built Rupee Beer to educate American drinkers on the art of thoughtful beer-and-food pairing.

National Growth Continues

Now distributed in 22 states, including the new addition of Oregon, Rupee Beer remains focused on its core mission: elevating the global dining experience one perfectly paired pint at a time.

About Rupee Beer

Rupee Beer was founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic by brothers Van (Vanit) Sharma and Sumit Sharma in Portland, Maine. As sons of Indian restaurateurs who immigrated from London (via Europe) to Maine in the early 1990s and opened some of the state’s first Indian restaurants, the brothers grew up immersed in bold, spicy flavors and the family business. Frustrated by the lack of quality Indian beer options — especially in a then-homogeneous state like Maine — and inspired by their experiences living abroad in London and Australia, they set out to create a better alternative: a crisp, refreshing, lower-carbonation beer specifically designed to pair with Indian, spicy, and global cuisines without overwhelming the food.

Partnering with legendary British expat master brewer Alan Pugsley (a 40+ year veteran who co-founded Shipyard Brewing and has helped launch over 100 brands worldwide), the Sharmas developed their flagship Basmati Rice Lager using traditional Indian-inspired recipes. Launched commercially in 2021 initially as a complement to to-go orders at their family’s Bombay Mahal restaurant, Rupee Beer quickly gained traction for its smooth, food-friendly profile. The brand has since expanded its portfolio to include an India Pale Ale (putting authentic Indian flavors “back” into the style), seasonal Mango Wheat Ale, a Non-Alcoholic option, and Darjeeling Hard Tea.

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MONTCLAIR, N.J. — Montclair Brewery has launched Lumumba Smoked Ale, the newest addition to its annual Black History Month Beer Series. The beer is now available in the Montclair taproom and through select distribution partners.

The brewery’s Black History Month series celebrates influential Black leaders, culture, history, and resilience through carefully crafted beers. Lumumba Smoked Ale offers a smooth malt profile layered with refined smoky character, delivering a distinctive yet highly approachable drinking experience.

Later this month, the brewery will re-release its Limited Edition Doby Caramel Pale Ale, another standout in the series that honors baseball legend and former Montclair resident Larry Doby. A special Black History Month to-go beer flight featuring a mixed four-pack of beers, along with music and art, will also be part of the month’s celebrations.

Lumumba Smoked Ale pays tribute to Patrice Lumumba, the Congolese nationalist leader who played a pivotal role in ending colonial rule in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He became the country’s first Prime Minister in 1960 and was widely seen as one of Africa’s most promising new voices before his assassination in 1961 amid Cold War tensions. Historians note that his left-leaning politics led him to fall out of favor with Western powers. Today, his legacy remains a powerful symbol of independence, sovereignty, and African self-determination.

The brewery chose to honor Lumumba after renewed global attention during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. A dedicated Congolese supporter, Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, gained international recognition by attending matches dressed as Lumumba and holding a motionless pose throughout Congo’s games — a living tribute that mirrored the famous Lumumba statue in Kinshasa. The powerful gesture sparked widespread media coverage and brought Lumumba’s historical significance back into the global spotlight.

The beer’s can label features a photo of the well-known Lumumba statue in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, along with a small image of Michel Nkuka Mboladinga.

“As a former football (soccer) player, coach, and lifelong fan of the tournament, seeing that powerful tribute to Lumumba during the matches was incredibly moving,” said Leo Sawadogo, Co-owner and Head Brewer of Montclair Brewery. “Lumumba represents courage, leadership, and the pursuit of independence — values that deserve continued recognition. Creating this beer was our way of honoring that legacy while sharing an important story with our community.”

Both Lumumba Smoked Ale and the returning Doby Caramel Pale Ale will be available in the Montclair Brewery taproom and at select distributors and retail partners while supplies last, offered in cans and on draft.

In addition to the beer releases, Montclair Brewery is hosting a full calendar of Black History Month programming throughout the month, including live performances by musicians connected to the African diaspora and an art exhibition featuring works by Sydnei Smith Jordan on display in the taproom.

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LONE TREE, Colo. — Lone Tree Brewing has introduced Peach Wheat Ale, now available in cans and on draft throughout Colorado. The refreshing, fruit-forward beer takes the place of the brewery’s longtime flagship, Peach Pale Ale, in its year-round lineup.

The brewing team at Lone Tree has long excelled at incorporating real fruit into its beers, earning multiple awards for the beloved Peach Pale Ale. As consumer demand for juicy, fruit-enhanced beers continues to grow, the brewery is excited to debut this updated recipe—one that honors one of its earliest creations while delivering a fresh, modern take.

Peach Wheat is built on a classic American Wheat Ale foundation, featuring generous additions of real peaches. Bold hop character brings notes of tropical fruit, candied peach, and apricot that perfectly complement the soft wheat and pale malt backbone. It pours a hazy soft orange with a medium body, approachable bitterness, and a clean stone-fruit finish.

“The end of Peach Pale Ale marks the close of an important chapter for us, but we’re thrilled to welcome the brighter, more fruit-forward flavors of this new wheat ale,” said Jerry Siote, Director of Brewhouse Operations at Lone Tree Brewing. “The most successful breweries honor tradition while staying willing to experiment and evolve with customer preferences. Peach Pale played a key role in our growth, teaching us how to balance real fruit with a ‘beer-first’ philosophy. Collaborating with Hopsteiner helped us highlight Alora hops in the new Peach Wheat, which deliver beautiful notes of peach, yuzu, sweet melon, and apricot.”

Peach Wheat is currently available on draft and in 6-packs to go at both Lone Tree Brewing locations in Lone Tree and Parker, as well as at retailers and venues across Colorado.

About Lone Tree Brewing Co.

Founded in 2011, Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery to open in Lone Tree, Colorado, in Denver’s south metro area. More than a decade later, it remains a beloved community staple with two welcoming tasting rooms: the original location near Park Meadows Mall in Lone Tree and the newer Lone Tree Brewing Parker in the heart of Parker, Colorado.
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