Hunter Lager 650ML is a 7.5% ABV European-style strong lager brewed in India by Som Distilleries & Breweries Ltd., sold in a 650ml bottle. Distinguished from typical Indian strong beers by its use of Hersbrucker hops — a variety traditionally associated with German lagers — Hunter brings a notably different hop character to the segment. Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5% | Origin: Madhya Pradesh & Karnataka, India | Style: European Strong Lager | Brewery: Som Distilleries & Breweries Ltd. Production & Heritage Som Distilleries & Breweries Ltd., headquartered in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, produces Hunter Lager at facilities in both Madhya Pradesh and Hassan, Karnataka. The brew uses imported malts sourced from Argentina and Chile, combined with Hersbrucker hops from Germany — a deliberate choice that separates Hunter from many Indian strong lagers relying on domestic or generic hop profiles. Hersbrucker is a noble-adjacent German landrace hop known for its mild, herbal, and slightly spicy character, which keeps the bitterness restrained even at the higher ABV. The result is a low-IBU strong lager where the hop presence is subtle, appearing primarily in the aftertaste before giving way to the beer's warming alcohol. Tasting Notes Aroma: Cereal grains and pale malt dominate the nose, with faint corn sweetness underneath. There is little aggressive hop aroma — the scent stays clean and grain-forward. Taste: The entry is crisp and light-bodied for a 7.5% beer, with pale malt and a soft corn note across the mid-palate. The sweetness is moderate, and the Hersbrucker hops emerge briefly at the back, adding a gentle herbal bitterness before the alcohol warmth takes over. Despite the higher ABV, the overall impression remains surprisingly drinkable. Finish: A faint bitter note closes out the sip, drying the palate without lingering harshness. The finish is medium-short, with residual malt sweetness and a noticeable but not overpowering alcoholic warmth. How to Drink Hunter Lager Hunter Lager is best served cold — between 4°C and 7°C — straight from the bottle or poured into a chilled pilsner glass to showcase its golden color and white head. Its crisp, malt-forward profile and moderate bitterness make it a solid companion for food. A Michelada works well here, as the tomato juice and lime offset the beer's sweetness and temper the alcohol. A Shandy (equal parts lager and lemonade) tones down the ABV for a lighter afternoon drink. For something bolder, a Boilermaker paired with an Indian whisky creates a straightforward, no-fuss combination that plays to the beer's simple malt backbone. Best For Casual weekend sessions with friends who prefer strong lagers Pairing with spicy Indian street food or barbecue Trying a German-hop-influenced alternative to mainstream Indian strong beers Hot-weather drinking where a cold, higher-ABV lager is the goal Frequently Asked Questions What does Hunter Lager taste like? Hunter Lager delivers a crisp, malt-driven profile with light corn sweetness and a faint bitter finish from Hersbrucker hops, all wrapped in noticeable but smooth alcohol warmth at 7.5% ABV. How does Hunter Lager compare to Kingfisher Strong? Both occupy the Indian strong lager segment, with Kingfisher Strong at approximately 8% ABV and Hunter at 7.5%. Hunter's use of German Hersbrucker hops gives it a slightly more herbal, restrained bitterness compared to Kingfisher Strong's more assertive grain-forward character. Is Hunter Lager good for pairing with food? Yes — its crisp body, low bitterness, and clean malt character make it an easy match for spicy and fried foods, where it refreshes the palate without competing with bold flavors. Where is Hunter Lager made? Hunter Lager is brewed by Som Distilleries & Breweries Ltd. at production facilities in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and Hassan, Karnataka, India. What foods pair well with Hunter Lager? Spicy chicken tikka benefits from the beer's cold, crisp body cutting through the heat. Fried samosas match well against the malt sweetness. Grilled kebabs complement the light grain notes. Biryani pairs naturally, with the lager cleansing the palate between rich, spiced bites. Simple salted peanuts or chips also work as a straightforward snack pairing. What sizes does Hunter Lager come in? Hunter Lager is commonly available in the 650ml bottle, which is the standard large-format size widely sold across India. Is Hunter Lager worth the price? Hunter Lager positions as a value-tier strong lager in the Indian market, competing directly with other mass-market strong beers while differentiating itself through imported South American malts and German Hersbrucker hops — a notable production choice at this price segment. Why Hunter Lager? In a crowded Indian strong lager market dominated by a handful of legacy brands, Hunter Lager carves out its identity through a specific production decision: Hersbrucker hops imported from Germany. This is not a common choice at the value tier, where most breweries prioritize cost over hop provenance. The combination of Argentine and Chilean malts with that German hop variety gives Hunter a cleaner, more restrained bitterness than many of its direct competitors. For drinkers looking for a strong lager that keeps the alcohol in check with a crisper, less syrupy malt profile, Hunter delivers a credible alternative at an accessible price point.
