New Delhi, April, 2026 – Kati Patang, the trailblazing Indian premium beer brand, is proud to announce that its signature Saffron Lager has been awarded a Bronze Medal at the prestigious London Beer Competition 2026.
The brew was recognized for its technical excellence and unique ‘spiced beer’ profile on the global stage. Furthermore, it was specifically commended for its commercial viability and its sophisticated integration of Himalayan saffron.
Sharing his thoughts at this global recognition, Shantanu Upadhyay, Co-founder & CEO of Kati Patang Lifestyle Limited, said, “This recognition by the London Beer Competition underscores our commitment to brewing excellence and operational precision. It also reinforces our value proposition to global distributors and shareholders alike. None of our brews are ‘me-too’. Each one swirls unique and has native ingredients that tease the Indian palette and appeal to a global audience.
He further added, “After being recognised as one of the best beers in India and winning accolades at the Berlin and New York International Beer Competitions, this award reinforces the fact that Indian companies can produce world-beating products that are as good as, if not better than, the best globally.”
"Winning at the London Beer Competition validates our mission to redefine craft beer globally and showcases the massive potential of Indian craft beer" said Lata Upadhyay, Co-founder & Chief Brand Officer of Kati Patang. "This bronze medal reflects our passion for creativity and our commitment to using honest, Indian ingredients like saffron from Kashmir to create a world-class experience".
Strategic Global Positioning
This global accolade follows a period of rapid international expansion for the brand, including the recent acquisition of a majority stake in CHADKP HOLDINGS LIMITED, the parent company of Chadlington Brewery and The Tite Inn, Oxford. This win solidifies Kati Patang’s mission to introduce bold, authentic Indian flavours to the mature craft beer markets of the West and also serves as a highly credible validation of the brand’s ability to compete at an elite global level.
In February 2025, Kati Patang received global recognition at the New York International Beer Competition (NYIBC) after winning the gold medal for its Saffron Lager and being named ‘India Brewery of the Year’. The NYIBC is the only international beer competition judged exclusively by trade buyers using a rigorous blind-tasting process.
A Masterclass in Spiced Brewing
Kati Patang Saffron Lager is a beer with a golden twist – light-bodied, distinctive, clean and crisp. It is gently steeped in Saffron from Kashmir, and is available in its gluten-free avatar in the UK.
The Saffron Lager represents the company’s ‘India-In-A-Bottle’ philosophy, blending traditional brewing techniques with premium indigenous ingredients. The judges noted the product’s ‘clean mouthfeel and refreshing finish’, highlighting its potential as a versatile offering in the global premium-dining and retail segments.
The judging panel at the London Beer Competition comprised of top-tier cicerones, sommeliers, and retail buyers who noted the beer's ‘clear gold and very pale’ appearance. Their official tasting notes highlighted:
- Aromas: Sweet corn and gentle spice with subtle coffee notes.
- Palate: A crisp mouthfeel leading to a clean, refreshing finish.
- Signature Ingredient: Authentic saffron sourced from Kashmir, which provides a distinctive, lingering aromatic profile.
About The London Beer Competition
The London Beer Competition looks to recognize, reward, and help promote beer brands that have successfully been created to identify with and target a specific beer drinker. For any beer brand to earn its place on a retailer’s shelf or a restaurant’s beer list - and then vitally stay there - it needs to be marketable and consumer-driven and not just produced in the general hope it can find enough people willing to sell and buy it.
That is why the London Beer Competition is different. It will single out and shine the spotlight on those beer brands that consumers really want to buy and have a clear market value for trade buyers.
It judges beer in three key areas
- Their quality.
- Their value for money.
- What they look like.
To be an award winner, you need to have a top-quality beer that offers both the trade and the consumer great value for money, and you need to look good and truly stand out on the shelf and on the back bar.
The goal of the London Beer Competition is to provide trade buyers and consumers a valuable benchmark for understanding which beers would make a compelling addition to a bottle shop, supermarket, or restaurant list, and for end consumers, it is to buy beers that offer the best quality for the price it sells for with great packaging.
About Kati Patang
Kati Patang Lifestyle Limited, a BSE-listed company, owns the award-winning premium craft beer brand Kati Patang through its subsidiary Empyrean Spirits Private Ltd. The brand is known for truly Indian beers crafted for the world with uniquely Indian ingredients such as saffron, turmeric, ginger, and peppercorn. Available in India, the UK, and the US, Kati Patang is one of the most recognisable independent craft beer brands from India, growing at double-digit year-on-year rates, fuelled by strong consumer loyalty and community-driven storytelling.
