Craft beer is all the rage at the moment, and Indonesia is joining in the fun. In the past, the Indonesian beer industry didn’t show much variety, with pilsener or lager the only options available. With the arrival of Stark, however, the country now produces its own craft beer in the northern part of Bali.
Founded by beer enthusiasts Bona Budhisurya and Jacob Suryanata, the name Stark derives from the German language and means “strong” which not only rings true for the taste of the beer but also for the aspirations and hopes of the brewery that intends to conquer the country by storm. “Stark Craft Beer is the only premium craft beer in Indonesia, and the only one produced in Bali,” Bona explained. “We are ready to spoil fellow fans of beer with high quality and unparalleled taste.” During a recent event, Stark presented its new collection of craft beer with six different variants that will cater to the different palates and preferences of its consumers.
“We wanted to provide Indonesians with a selection of beers to choose from, so they can explore the various tastes and enjoy the distinctive character of each beer in our collection,” Bona said. The collection includes wheat and dark wheat beer, as well as the more unique Indonesian Pale Ale (IPA) – Stark’s own interpretation of the English IPA (Indian Pale Ale) that was first developed in Britain in the early 19th century.
The Indonesian version is made with a new technique called dry hopping that reduces the bitterness of the beer and comes with a herbal and citrus aroma. The Low Carbohydrate Lager is a viable option for those who aim to lead a health-conscious lifestyle but still don’t want to refrain from enjoying a nice cold glass of beer every now and then.
Of course, opening a brewery in a tropical country offers a plethora of possibilities when it comes to trying out a myriad of flavours. Stark’s Mango and Lychee Ale are the results of these experiments: they are fruity and refreshing, yet the mango and lychee flavours are not so strong that the ales could be mistaken for lemonade; the beer taste remains predominant.
Bona said that the team behind Stark dreams big – in addition to the Indonesian market, they are also set to expand to Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan.
Cheers, mate! www.stark-beer.co.id
