Beer gets high on greens, low on carbs

Beer is a beverage often associated with the embarrassing beer-belly that has become a trademark of those who haven’t quite learned the art of moderation. But in a development that could bring a smile to the faces of all those malted-barley fans conscious about their health as well, a new bio-beer has been launched in Tamil Nadu. In what is claimed to be the first of its kind product made from a unique process, the bio-beer blended from 12 different medicinal herbs including Aloe Vera, Ashwagandha and Phyllanthus Niruri was introduced in the burgeoning Puducherry beverages market recently.

The product Lady Bird Bio-beer is the brainchild of Dr B. Srinivas Amarnath of Advaith Biotech. Speaking to this newspaper, the recipient of the President’s award for research in alternative medicine said, “The bio-beer was created after extensive research and successful test trials. It is made from the finest Indian roasted malt, imported German CO2 Hops, enriched with natural bio-alkaloids and polysaccharides, unlike the regular variants that are enriched with synthetic flavours, glycerine and sugars.”

He adds, “Bio-beer smells and tastes like regular beer but it also has several therapeutic properties. Besides protecting the functioning of the liver, it reduces the blood cholesterol levels, slows down the aging process and lowers the risk of Hepatitis. And it also contributes towards maintaining the Bilirubin at normal levels.”
One of the USPs of the Lady Bird Bio-beer is that it’s free from the strong odour that is characteristic of alcohol and is quite pleasant to drink. The beer has been brewed at Impala Brewery in Goa. The beer will be available in two variants including strong (with an alcohol content of seven per cent) and premium lager (with an alcohol content of five per cent).

Dr Amarnath explains, “The beer received an overwhelming response during its test marketing in 2007 and we patented it recently. Having emerged successful from the trial runs, the Bio-beer is now exported to Europe, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.” He adds, “It will be launched in Goa by September this year followed by the Union territories of Chandigarh and New Delhi. Following this, the beer will be introduced to Andhra Pradesh and other States in a phased manner.”