The traditional alcoholic drinks of India are a lot more diverse than the modern liquor market suggests. The indigenous people of India had been making their drinks long before the bottled spirits became a part of the common man's life, and these drinks were closely connected to their culture, rituals, and everyday life. 

One such traditional drink is handia rice beer, a naturally fermented rice drink that has been a part of the culture in eastern India, especially Jharkhand for ages.

This guide is an adventure through the history of handia rice beer, the amount of alcohol in it, the traditional methods of brewing, its cost, and even the adverse effects of handia drink consumption, thus providing a true and complete understanding of this exceptional fermented rice beer.

What Is Handia Rice Beer?

Handia rice beer is a traditional fermented rice beer made using cooked rice and a natural herbal starter culture known as ranu or bakhar. It is mildly alcoholic, earthy in taste, and widely consumed by tribal communities during festivals, social gatherings, and agricultural celebrations.

Unlike commercial beers, handia is:

• Unfiltered
• Naturally fermented
• Free from artificial additives
• Closely tied to cultural identity

This makes it not just a drink, but a living tradition.

Origin of Handia Rice Beer

The origin of handia rice beer can be traced back centuries to the indigenous tribes of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and parts of West Bengal. Communities such as the Santhal, Munda, Ho, Oraon, and Bhumij tribes have preserved this brewing tradition through oral knowledge passed down across generations.

Historically, handia was brewed:

• To celebrate harvest festivals like Sarhul and Karam
• As a ritual offering to tribal deities
• To strengthen community bonds during social events

For these communities, handia is not seen as “alcohol” in the modern sense, but as a sacred fermented rice drink connected to nature and spirituality.

Traditional Rice Beer of Jharkhand: Cultural Significance

Jharkhand’s most iconic traditional rice beer handia is far more than a beverage, it is a reflection of tribal life, belief, and togetherness. Deeply woven into rural culture, handia represents respect, gratitude, and a sense of belonging, where food and drink are shared as symbols of connection rather than indulgence.

In many villages, offering handia to a guest is a mark of true hospitality. It is shared from earthen pots during festivals, weddings, harvest feasts, and village gatherings, bringing people together as equals and reinforcing community bonds. These moments of collective drinking dissolve social barriers and strengthen relationships across generations.

Handia is also closely tied to the land and its cycles. It is offered to deities and ancestors during festivals like Sarhul, Karma, and Sohrai as a gesture of thanks for fertile soil, healthy crops, and communal well-being. Brewed using forest herbs and age-old methods, handia stands as a living tradition, rooted in nature, passed down through generations, and central to Jharkhand’s tribal identity.

How Authentic Handia Is Made (Traditional Brewing Process)

Authentic handia brewing is slow, natural, and deeply artisanal.

Ingredients Used

• Parboiled rice
• Ranu (fermentation starter made from forest herbs, roots, and rice flour)
• Clean water
• Earthen pots

Traditional Brewing Steps

1. Rice is cooked and cooled naturally
2. Crushed ranu tablets are mixed into the rice
3. The mixture is stored in earthen pots
4. Natural fermentation begins within 2–3 days
5. The beer matures over 5–7 days

The result is a cloudy, mildly sweet fermented rice beer with earthy aromas.

Alcohol Content of Handia Rice Beer

One of the most searched questions is about the alcohol content of handia.

• Handia drink alcohol percentage typically ranges between 2% to 4% ABV
• The strength depends on:
• Fermentation duration
• Quantity of ranu used
• Environmental temperature

Compared to commercial beer, handia is low-alcohol, making it suitable for slow, social consumption rather than intoxication.

Taste Profile of Handia Rice Beer

Handia offers a completely different experience from bottled beers:

• Mildly sweet
• Slightly sour
• Earthy and herbal
• Light-bodied and refreshing

Its flavor reflects the forest herbs used in fermentation, making every batch slightly unique.

Handia Rice Beer Price

Since handia is not commercially bottled, the handia rice beer price remains affordable.

• Local village price: ₹20 to ₹60 per serving
• Festival or weekly markets (haats): ₹50 to ₹100 per pot

* Prices vary based on region, demand, and brewing quality.

Handia Drink Side Effects: What You Should Know

While handia is natural, moderation is key.

Possible Side Effects

• Overconsumption may cause mild acidity
• Homemade batches may vary in hygiene standards
• Fermentation inconsistency can affect alcohol strength

Who Should Avoid It

• Pregnant women
• People with liver conditions
• Those sensitive to fermented foods

Consumed responsibly, handia is generally considered gentler than distilled spirits.

Is Handia Healthy?

Traditionally, handia was believed to:

• Aid digestion
• Provide cooling relief in summer
• Restore energy after farm labour

While not a health drink in scientific terms, its natural fermentation and lack of chemicals make it culturally valued as a wholesome beverage.

Handia vs Commercial Beer

Read also: The 10 Best Wheat Beers 2026 in India

Final Thoughts

Handia rice beer is a lot more than just a fermented beverage, it is a representation of Jharkhand’s tribal tradition, eco-friendliness, and social life. 

Its long history of production, low alcohol percentage, reasonable cost, and the use of traditional brewing techniques all contribute to the idea that the alcohol culture of India did not start with bars but rather with woods, plantations, and festivities, handia being a witness to all these. 

As interest in indigenous beverages grows, handia deserves recognition not just as a drink, but as a cultural legacy worth preserving.