A Revolution Brewing
- Prasanna Vee
- Oct 12
- 6 min read
As someone who has spent years traversing the globe with an insatiable curiosity for local brewing cultures, I've witnessed a fascinating dichotomy in the world of beer. While a craft beer revolution sweeps across continents, transforming palates and brewing landscapes, some of the world's largest beer-drinking nations remain stubbornly anchored in what I call "Lager Land" – a monotonous universe dominated by a handful of mass-produced, diluted beers that taste remarkably similar regardless of which brand you choose!
My recent travels to Turkey crystallized this observation most strikingly. Landing in Istanbul, I expected the familiar beer landscape I'd encountered in so many emerging markets – a handful of dominant lagers and little else. In fact, Turkey was a member of this Lager-verse even a few years back and offered me nothing more than an EFES lager! However, what I discovered in this trip instead was nothing short of revelatory. Turkey's craft beer scene had exploded with creativity, innovation, and quality that rivaled established craft beer destinations. This unexpected discovery compelled me to write this blog, to share what I've witnessed and to highlight the stark contrast between markets embracing the craft beer revolution and those stubbornly resisting it.
The Great Divide in Beer Culture
For a world traveler who’s sampled beers in every corner of the globe, few things have fascinated me more in recent years than the quiet yet powerful beer revolution unfolding around the world. It’s not about mass-produced lagers anymore—it’s about creativity, character, and craft. Yet, what strikes me is how unevenly this wave has spread.
Take India and Sri Lanka, for example. Both nations boast enormous populations of beer enthusiasts and centuries-old relationships with fermented beverages. India, with its 1.4 billion people and rapidly growing young population that travels, experiments, and craves diversity, innovation in beer remains painfully limited. Sri Lanka, an island nation with a vibrant social culture and significant beer consumption, seems perfectly positioned for a craft beer explosion. Yet, walk into most bars, restaurants, or liquor stores in either country, and you'll find the same tired lineup: light lagers, more light lagers, and perhaps a premium light lager for special occasions.
The selection is devastatingly limited in these places. Mainstream brands dominate with an iron grip, offering variations on the same theme – crisp, clean, and utterly predictable. The notion of a hoppy IPA, a complex Belgian-style ale, or an experimental sour beer remains largely foreign to the average consumer in these markets. The infrastructure exists, the consumer base is massive, and the innovation potential is enormous, yet the craft beer revolution has barely scratched the surface.
Step outside, though—and the picture changes dramatically. Over the past few years of globetrotting, I’ve witnessed an incredible evolution and revolution of beer culture across the world. Nations I've once witnessed to be trapped in a “single beer universe” are now bursting with new-age brewers, microbreweries, and experimental taprooms redefining what beer can be.
And one country that truly surprised and delighted me during my recent travels is Turkey.
Hopping From Ordinary to Extraordinary
Not too long ago, Turkey's beer landscape looked disturbingly similar to India's or Sri Lanka's – dominated by a few major brands producing standard lagers for mass consumption. But something shifted recently. A new generation of brewers, inspired by global trends and armed with passion and creativity, began challenging the status quo. Today, Turkey's craft beer scene has blossomed into something truly beautiful. From Istanbul to Ankara, Izmir to smaller cities across the TurkAgean coast, independent breweries are popping up like hops on a bine. These aren't just breweries producing "alternative lagers" – they're crafting bold IPAs bursting with tropical fruit notes, rich stouts with coffee and chocolate complexity, tart goses perfect for hot Mediterranean summers, and experimental brews that push the boundaries of what beer can be.
What makes Turkey’s story remarkable is how authentically local its transformation has been. The new generation of Turkish brewers didn’t wait for multinational brands or foreign investment — they simply began creating, experimenting, and pushing boundaries.
A Global Movement
This isn’t just Turkey’s story. The craft beer renaissance here is part of a broader trend sweeping across the world. I've been witnessing this personally across my travels: from tiny fishing villages in remote Faroe Islands to sprawling European capitals, from South American cities to remote Pacific islands – the craft beer revolution is everywhere. Brewers are experimenting, consumers are responding, and beer culture is evolving. Population size doesn't dictate innovation; passion does.
For example, take the case of Greenland, another Arctic territory with a population of just 56,000 people spread across the world's largest island. Just a decade ago, Greenland's beer scene was dominated by a single brewery producing standard lagers. Today, microbreweries are crafting innovative beers using locally sourced ingredients – including water from 2,000-year-old icebergs! They're producing IPAs, stouts, and experimental brews that celebrate Greenlandic culture while embracing global craft beer trends.
The tiny island nation of Taiwan presents another fascinating transformation. Not long ago, Taiwan Beer's lagers monopolized the market, and craft beer was virtually non-existent. Fast forward to today, and Taiwan boasts over 40 craft breweries producing everything from traditional German-style weizens to hop-forward American IPAs and experimental fruit-infused ales. Breweries like Taihu, Zhongmen, Jim & Dad, and Sunmai have created a vibrant beer culture that rivals the top craft beer destinations of America.
Singapore, despite its tiny size and historically restrictive alcohol regulations, has similarly embraced the craft beer revolution. A mere 10 years ago, the Lion City was dominated by mass-market lagers with minimal variety. Today, breweries like Brewlander, Brewerkz, and Archipelago Brewery are producing world-class beers. The government has even adapted regulations to support microbreweries, recognizing craft beer's contribution to Singapore's reputation as a culinary and cultural destination.
And finally, the most extraordinary example is Svalbard – the northernmost inhabited archipelago on Earth, sitting deep in the Arctic Ocean between mainland Norway and the North Pole. This remote Norwegian territory has a population of barely 2,500 people, most of whom live in Longyearbyen. The climate is harsh, the location is isolated, and the logistics of brewing in such an environment are nightmarish. Yet even Svalbard has a thriving craft brewery! Despite the challenges of importing ingredients to one of the planet's most remote locations, despite the small local market, despite everything working against them, they've committed to brewing quality craft beer. Imagine that: in the land of polar bears and midnight sun, you can sip on a locally made ale crafted with glacier water!
If a tiny Arctic settlement - with one of the world’s harshest, most remote environments - can sustain a craft brewery offering diverse, interesting beers, what's stopping major markets with millions of consumers? So why not in India or Sri Lanka? The demand is there. The talent is there. What’s missing is the push for diversity — the courage to brew something beyond the ordinary
The Evolution and Revolution
What we're witnessing is both an evolution and a revolution. It's evolutionary in the sense that it's happening gradually, brewery by brewery, consumer by consumer, as palates develop and appreciation grows. But it's revolutionary in its impact – completely transforming drinking cultures, creating new industries, supporting local economies, and bringing creativity to a product that had been commoditized and standardized for decades.
Countries that were trapped in the "single beer syndrome" are breaking free. Consumers who thought beer meant one thing are discovering it can mean a thousand things. The new generation of beer drinkers demands more – more flavor, more variety, more authenticity, more story. They want to know who brewed their beer, what ingredients went into it, and what makes it special. They're willing to pay more for quality and character over bland consistency.
Turkey exemplifies this transformation perfectly, while India and Sri Lanka serve as reminders of what happens when markets resist change and innovation stagnates. The infrastructure and consumer base exist in these countries – what's missing is the entrepreneurial spirit, regulatory support, and cultural shift that would allow craft brewing to flourish.
Cheers from the Road 🍻
The craft beer revolution isn't slowing down; if anything, it's accelerating. As I continue my travels, I'm constantly delighted by new discoveries – a tiny brewery in an unexpected place, an innovative beer style I've never encountered, a region embracing its brewing heritage in creative ways. The future of beer is unquestionably diverse, innovative, and absolutely delicious. Because ultimately, beer is not just a beverage; it’s a mirror of culture, innovation, and taste. And the world is finally waking up to that. For countries still stuck in Lager Land, the message is clear: the world has moved on. Consumers everywhere are developing more sophisticated palates and higher expectations.
So here’s to the revolution in our glasses—the one that’s making beer exciting again. Cheers to the brave brewers pushing boundaries, the adventurous consumers supporting innovation, and the beautiful beer revolution happening all around us.
Because life’s too short for boring beer. 🍻
Comments