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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