Why This Win Matters for Indian Beer

Indian beer is often seen as a domestic story, strong lagers dominating in sales, lighter lagers holding casual appeal, and craft beer growing in urban centers. But when an Indian strong lager competes and wins on an international stage, it reshapes that story.

On 18th August 2025, in Hong Kong, the Asia Beer Challenge held its annual judging. Unlike many consumer-vote awards, this competition is known for rigor: beers are assessed through a triple-blind tasting by leading importers, distributors, and buyers. No branding, no bias, just the liquid in the glass.

This year, DeVANS’ Godfather Super 8 secured a Gold Medal in the Strong Lager category. It’s more than just a trophy. It signals that India’s long-dominant strong lager style can stand shoulder to shoulder with international players. For DeVANS, it’s recognition of consistency and brewing quality. For Indian beer drinkers, it’s validation that what’s poured in their glass can hold its own abroad.

Meet Godfather Super 8 – India’s Bold Strong Lager

To understand why this win matters, it helps to know the beer itself.

DeVANS Modern Breweries Ltd, founded in 1961, has long been a respected name in India’s beer industry. Its Godfather range launched in 1984, quickly becoming synonymous with strong beer in the northern belt of India. Over time, it built a reputation for being robust yet approachable.

Godfather Super 8 is the powerhouse of that lineup. Introduced as the strongest variant, it boasts 8% ABV, pushing the upper legal limit for beer in most Indian states. It’s not just about strength, though. Super 8 aims to offer flavor depth, smoothness, and drinkability that distinguishes it from other “high alcohol” beers.

Here’s a quick snapshot:

This foundation explains why Super 8 isn’t just a “strong beer”  it’s a brand built on nearly four decades of consumer trust.

Tasting Notes and Flavor Profile

Many strong beers, especially in India, often face criticism: too harsh, too boozy, or unbalanced. Super 8 manages to surprise in this regard.

What drinkers often note:

• Malt-forward sweetness: caramel, toffee, molasses, and hints of dark fruits.
  
  
• Full body with warmth: the alcohol provides a noticeable but not burning finish.
  
  
• Smooth character: despite being 8%, it avoids the aggressive bite common in some strong lagers.
  
  
• Aroma depth: rich malt with faint bitterness, offering more complexity than lighter Indian lagers.
  
  

Think of it this way: if mainstream lagers are about refreshment, Super 8 aims for substance. It’s a beer to sip, not just gulp. This aligns with the expectations of Asian beer competitions, where flavor balance is as important as strength.

Price & Availability Across India

Beer pricing in India is notoriously uneven due to state-controlled excise systems. What costs ₹155 in Jaipur might be ₹190 in Mumbai, even for the same bottle. Still, Godfather Super 8 positions itself as affordable within the premium strong lager category.

Here’s a look at recent pricing (approximate MRP/retail, mid-2025):

Key takeaway: For a beer that just won a gold medal, the pricing remains within reach of regular consumers. It’s not positioned as an ultra-premium product, but rather as a quality strong lager at an accessible price point.

Also Read: Top 7 Fruit Beer Brands in India (2025): Taste, Price & Where to Buy

The Significance of the Asia Beer Challenge Win

Winning at the Asia Beer Challenge carries weight for several reasons:

• International credibility: The medal confirms that Indian brewing standards can meet global benchmarks.
  
  
• Marketing edge: Award wins translate into stronger branding opportunities, from packaging shout-outs to advertising campaigns.
  
  
• Consumer pride: For Indian beer lovers, it’s satisfying to see a homegrown strong lager recognized abroad.
  
  
• Export potential: Distributors across Asia often track medalists; this could open up new trade routes for DeVANS.
  
  

For Godfather Super 8, the medal helps it shed the stereotype that Indian strong beers are purely “high alcohol” rather than “high quality.”

Challenges Strong Lagers Face in India

Despite the award, it’s not all smooth sailing for Super 8 or its peers in the strong lager category.

1. Regulations:
   
   
• Beers above 7% ABV are subject to stricter scrutiny in several states.
  
  
• Some regions outright restrict high-strength beers, limiting distribution.
  
  
2. Pricing sensitivity:
   
   
• Taxes push up prices unevenly across India.
  
  
• Consumers often compare value with lighter lagers or even local spirits.
  
  
3. Taste preferences:
   
   
• While strong lagers dominate in volume sales, younger urban drinkers are increasingly exploring craft beers and session lagers.
  
  
• Winning global awards may help reposition strong lagers as “quality beers,” not just “alcohol-heavy beers.”
  
  

This means DeVANS must balance tradition (appealing to its loyal northern consumer base) with modernity (competing with craft trends and premium imports).

What This Means for the Future of Indian Beer

The Asia Beer Challenge win isn’t just a personal victory for DeVANS — it’s a signal of change in how Indian beer is perceived globally.

• For breweries: It shows that investing in brewing quality, not just scale, can pay off in international recognition.
  
  
• For consumers: It validates the experience of drinking strong lagers as more than just a budget choice.
  
  
• For the industry: It could encourage more Indian brewers to participate in global competitions, raising standards across the board.
  

India has historically been seen as a “spirits-first” country, but beers like Super 8 winning medals are slowly shifting the narrative.

Key Takeaways for Beer Lovers

• Godfather Super 8 is one of the strongest beers legally brewed in India, at 8% ABV.
  
  
• It delivers rich malt flavor, warmth, and surprising smoothness for its strength.
  
  
• Pricing remains accessible, ranging roughly from ₹95 for 330 ml to ₹190 for 650 ml, depending on state.
  
  
• The Asia Beer Challenge Gold Medal (2025) confirms its quality internationally.
  
  
• For Indian beer, this represents a step toward greater credibility and visibility in global markets.
  

Final Thoughts

DeVANS’ Godfather Super 8 winning gold at the Asia Beer Challenge 2025 is more than a medal story — it’s a turning point for how Indian strong lagers are perceived. With a balance of strength, smoothness, and affordability, Super 8 has always had loyal fans at home. Now, with international recognition, it has the chance to earn a wider following abroad.

For beer lovers in India, it’s a reminder to revisit a classic that continues to prove its worth. For the global beer scene, it’s a signal that Indian breweries are ready to claim their space on the international stage.

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