Simba Stout

Name: Simba Stout
Brand: Toit Brewpub and Simba Beer

Dark, roasted and surprisingly approachable — India's benchmark craft stout

🍯 Sweet & Honeyed

Toit Brewpub and Simba Beer

Distillery

India

Country

7.00%

ABV

8.3/10

Rating

★★★★★

8.3/10

Durg, Chhattisgarh Est. 2016 7.00% ABV

Tasting Notes

Colour & Appearance

Very dark brown, almost black with a tan head

Nose & Aroma

Roasted coffee, dark chocolate, slight caramel, vanilla and warm molasses

Palate & Taste

Full-bodied with strong roasted coffee and dark chocolate character. The bitterness is smooth rather than aggressive — it comes from the roasted malt rather than hops. At 7% ABV there is warmth without being overwhelming. One of the most complex packaged beers made in India

Finish

Long and warming with coffee, dark chocolate and a roasted bitterness that lingers

History & Background

Simba Beer was founded in 2016 in Chhattisgarh and named after the lion. The Stout is the most ambitious product in the range — brewed to 7% ABV with a significant proportion of roasted malt giving the dark coffee and chocolate character. It was one of the first craft stouts to achieve national distribution in India and introduced a lot of Indian craft beer drinkers to the style.

Production & Maturation

Production Method

Made from malted barley including chocolate malt and roasted barley. The roasted malts provide colour and flavour. Hops are used primarily for bittering. Ale production with top-fermenting yeast.

Aging & Maturation

No lagering. Ale fermentation.

Distillery

Toit Brewpub and Simba Beer

Founded

2016

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Simba Stout the best Indian craft stout?

Among nationally distributed packaged stouts, yes. Simba Stout has the strongest distribution, consistent quality and a roasted coffee-chocolate profile that is genuinely impressive. Brew pubs across India produce excellent stouts, but for a bottle you can buy anywhere Simba is the benchmark.

Simba Stout price in India

Simba Stout 650ml costs around Rs 260 in Delhi, Rs 230 in Goa, Rs 280 in Karnataka and Rs 310 in Mumbai. The 330ml can costs around Rs 155 in Delhi and Rs 135 in Goa. At 7% ABV the 330ml is a sensible single serve without committing to a full 650ml.

Is Simba Stout very bitter?

The bitterness is noticeable but smooth. It comes from the chocolate malt and roasted barley rather than aggressive hopping — a coffee-like roasted bitterness rather than a sharp hop bite. Think strong black coffee rather than bitter medicine. Most first-time stout drinkers come back for it.

What food pairs well with Simba Stout?

The roasted bitterness cuts through rich, fatty Indian preparations extremely well. Dal makhani, butter chicken, lamb rogan josh. For non-Indian food, dark chocolate and strong cheeses are the classic stout pairings. The coffee notes work particularly well alongside slow-cooked meat dishes and biryani.

Should I serve Simba Stout cold?

Stouts are traditionally served warmer than lagers — between 8 and 12 degrees Celsius. Take the can or bottle out of the fridge 10 minutes before drinking. Serving ice cold flattens the coffee and chocolate aroma significantly.

Similar to Simba Stout

bira-91-white,white-rhino-hefeweizen,hoegaarden-white

About the Author

Shivam Sharma

I am the founder and editor of The Spirit Atlas. With a deep appreciation for fine spirits, I built this platform to be the most helpful and honest spirits guide for Indian readers — covering everything from Scotch and Indian single malts to rum, gin and tequila, along with prices across every major Indian state. My goal is simple: to make the world of spirits a little more approachable for everyone.

Website

Last updated: June 2026