TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
The new wave of Indonesian craft beer
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Flavorful: Islands of Imagination (IOI) creates unique flavors inspired by Indonesia’s rich culture and local produce. (Courtesy of IOI) (Courtesy of IOI/Courtesy of IOI)
I
ndonesian craft beer is on the rise, with local breweries producing unique, high-quality beer despite the difficulty of obtaining an alcohol production permit.
Back in 2012, when South Jakarta's establishment Coffeebeerian started serving home-brewed India Pale Ale (IPA)-styled beer, the customers' response was less than encouraging. Many "didn't like the taste" and found it "bitter and tasted like jamu [Indonesian traditional herbal medicine]”. It's hardly surprising since, for decades, Indonesian beer drinkers have been accustomed to the more common lager-style beer from big brands such as Bintang, Anker and Bali Hai, among others.
These days, beer enthusiasts would be able to find craft beer in most alcohol-serving establishments in the country. While many remain imported from Japan, the United States and Australia, local breweries have started to join the party, giving local beer enthusiasts more options to quench their thirst.
Getting into craft beer in his formative years in Australia, half Irish-half Balinese Putu Wiranatha didn't find many beer options every time he returned to Bali. So, he decided to start his brewery to produce locally-made, high-quality beer. In the midst of 2020, his brand, Kura Kura, was established.
Initially only served on tap at dozens of venues in Bali, Kura Kura saw a lot of growth when it started selling its products in cans. While not disclosing the numbers, Putu said their sales had gone up 400 percent compared to when it began. Their Island Ale, in particular, became the brand's best-seller.
"It's technically an American pale ale, but it's our interpretation of what a perfect beer to drink in Bali is like," Putu explains, "It's light, has a good amount of bitterness and a lot of tropical aromas."
