Photo: Bunta Beer’s citrus-forward non-alcoholic lager in its signature pink can, designed to complement bold Indian flavours while reflecting a modern British-Indian identity.
Bunta Beer Reinvents Pairings
Bunta Beer, a non-alcoholic Indian craft lager, launches in the UK to complement spice-led cuisine, blending cultural inspiration, modern identity and sustainability through innovative brewing and material design.
A new player has entered the UK’s evolving drinks scene with the launch of Bunta Beer, a non-alcoholic Indian craft lager designed specifically to complement bold, spice-led cuisine. Founded by 27-year-old entrepreneur Gunikka Ahuja, the brand aims to modernise the long-standing “curry and a pint” tradition by offering a lighter, more food-friendly alternative.
Bunta Beer debuts with listings at a mix of contemporary restaurants and independent retailers, including Kricket, Aspen & Meursault, Vintopia Wine, East West Pizza and Londis N16. Its arrival reflects a broader shift in the UK’s Indian dining landscape, where innovative restaurants have redefined the category, but drinks pairings have often lagged behind.
Highlights
- Bunta Beer launches as the UK’s first non-alcoholic Indian craft beer
- Founded by 27-year-old entrepreneur Gunikka Ahuja
- Designed specifically to pair with Indian food and spice-led dishes
- Debuts with listings at Kricket and select independent retailers
- Flagship product is a 0.5% ABV citrus lager with orange peel and coriander notes
- Inspired by the cultural reference of “Bunta” and traditional Banta soda
- Targets the outdated “curry and a pint” pairing culture
- Developed to be light, crisp and palate-cleansing
- Brand identity reflects modern British-Indian culture
- Buntatex™ innovation transforms brewing waste into biodegradable materials
- Positioned at the intersection of food, culture and sustainability
Ahuja identified this gap firsthand. Raised in New Delhi and later working in textile innovation at Adidas, she was inspired during visits to London, where she noticed that while Indian food had diversified, beer choices remained limited. “Within a few sips, I felt disappointed—harsh, overly bitter, heavy, and gassy,” she explains. “Before I’d even started eating, I’d already switched to a soft drink.”
The result is Bunta’s flagship product: a 0.5% ABV citrus lager brewed to enhance rather than overpower food. With subtle notes of orange peel and coriander seed, the beer mirrors flavour profiles commonly found in Indian cooking while offering a crisp, refreshing finish designed to cleanse the palate.
The brand’s name draws from Indian cultural references, specifically “Bunta,” a term used in North India for the marble stopper found in traditional codd-neck bottles used for fizzy drinks like Banta soda. The nostalgic nod aligns with Ahuja’s broader vision of blending heritage with modern sensibilities.
Beyond beverages, Bunta Beer is also positioned at the intersection of sustainability and material innovation. Ahuja is developing Buntatex™, a biodegradable textile made from brewing waste, which will be used for packaging and branded merchandise in the coming months. The initiative reflects a growing interest in circular production models within the food and drink industry.
Visually, the brand departs from conventional Indian design tropes. Its pink can features a cartoon-style illustration inspired by Ahuja’s brother, symbolising a new generation of consumers who embrace cultural identity while making different lifestyle choices, including reduced alcohol consumption.
For Ahuja, Bunta Beer represents more than a product launch; it is part of a wider cultural movement. “Modern Indian identity is not about rejecting tradition, it’s about evolving it,” she says. “There’s a new wave of chefs pushing things forward—which is exactly why drinks need to catch up.”
With its focus on flavour pairing, low alcohol content and sustainability, Bunta Beer is positioning itself as a contemporary alternative for both restaurant settings and home dining—aiming to become a go-to accompaniment for Indian food across the UK.
