Usage of Alcohol in India

Prior to British Raj, Bhang, and Afeem were the major recreational beverages of Indian folk

Use of alcohol was limited to Rajas and the poor labor. British rulers opened liquor shops. It became fashionable among Indian Babu Jee to use and offer alcohol at their western style parties. The use of alcohol started among educated and middle class. Mahatma Gandhi was opposed to alcohol consumption. On Gandhi's insistence, the constitution of India incorporated a language opposing alcohol consumption. In 1977, India imposed total prohibition that lasted two years. Now, Bhang and Afeem are illegal and just a foot note of culture past, Alcohol is legal in most of the states.

Do Indians drink Alcohol?

Alcohol has been the choice of recreational beverage among poor and rich. After Independence, the middle class India supporter of Gandhi started to look down on alcohol consumption as an "evil".

What is Thara?

Tharra is equivalent version of Moonshine or Country Liquor in United States. This is made by fermenting the mash of sugar cane juice and ground up pulp in large terracotta spherical container. The fermented mash is distilled to near 90% alcohol. Good Tharra is comparable to Vodka. Unfortunately, hundreds of villagers die each year form copper formaldehyde poisoning induced during distillation.

What is Toddy?

Toddy is made by collecting sap from an un-opened flower from Coconut Palm tree. Some one climbs up the tree and puts a gash in the flower and ties a terracotta tumbler. The sap is collected and naturally fermented. After two to four days, the tumbler is removed. It is already fermented to about 15% alcohol like a wine and ready to be consumed.

Who were Kalhaar?

In the olden days the liquor shops were owned by business men who were called Kalhaar.

What is India Pale Ale?

During British Raj, the breweries from England shipped beer in large drums via sea to India. By the time the beer reached India, the time and temperature altered the flavor to make it un-drinkable. So, the breweries started to use more hops to reduce this deterioration. People liked the new hops enriched flavor and India Pale Ale was born. Nowadays, many micro-breweries in United States produce India Pale Ale (IPA). My personal favorite is Goose Island brand.

What are best commercial alcoholic products of India?
There are two products.
India produces quality competitive Rum, Blended Whiskey as well as many beers. These items are discussed in "stocking spirits" and "stocking beers". India also produces wines but they lack international edge.

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