Haywards 5000 Lager

Name: Haywards 5000 Lager
Brand: United Breweries

More malt, more body — Haywards 5000 is the Indian lager for drinkers who want a bit of substance

🍯 Sweet & Honeyed

United Breweries

Distillery

India

Country

5.00%

ABV

7.2/10

Rating

★★★½★

7.2/10

Multiple States Est. 1983 5.00% ABV

Tasting Notes

Colour & Appearance

Golden amber, slightly deeper than Kingfisher Premium

Nose & Aroma

Grain malt, mild caramel sweetness, cereal notes and faint hop bitterness

Palate & Taste

Medium-bodied by Indian lager standards with noticeable malt sweetness and a slightly more assertive bitterness than Kingfisher Premium. The caramel note is more apparent when it warms slightly

Finish

Medium-short with malt and a mild dry bitterness

History & Background

Haywards has been an Indian beer brand for decades, originally positioned as a fuller-flavoured lager for drinkers who found the standard Kingfisher-style too light. The 5000 is not an ABV reference — it was a marketing decision that stuck. The slightly higher malt content gives it more body than most Indian session lagers and has earned it a loyal following in North India.

Production & Maturation

Production Method

Made from barley malt and hops with a higher malt proportion than most Indian lagers. Cold lagered for clarity.

Aging & Maturation

Cold lagered at low temperature. No barrel ageing.

Distillery

United Breweries

Founded

1983

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 5000 in Haywards 5000 mean?

Nothing technical. The 5000 was a branding choice designed to suggest strength and substance. The beer is 5% ABV, marginally stronger than Kingfisher Premium at 4.8%, but the main difference between them is body rather than alcohol. The name became shorthand for a slightly fuller Indian lager.

Haywards 5000 price in India

Haywards 5000 Lager 650ml costs around Rs 140 in Delhi, Rs 125 in Goa, Rs 155 in Karnataka and Rs 170 in Mumbai. The 330ml can is available at select premium outlets and costs around Rs 80 in Delhi and Rs 70 in Goa.

Haywards 5000 vs Kingfisher Premium — which is better?

Haywards 5000 has more malt body and a slightly more assertive character. Kingfisher Premium is lighter and more refreshing. Both are priced similarly in most states. The choice depends on whether you want a crisper session lager or something with a bit more weight. For heavier North Indian food, Haywards holds up better.

Is Haywards 5000 a strong beer?

Haywards 5000 Lager is 5% ABV — standard lager strength. It is a session beer. Haywards also makes a separate strong beer variant at higher ABV. Do not confuse them. If you see Haywards 5000 Strong on the shelf, that is a different product.

What food pairs well with Haywards 5000?

The slightly richer malt character makes Haywards 5000 a better match for heavier food than a lighter lager. It works well with seekh kebabs, tandoori chicken, dal fry and spiced snacks. The mild bitterness cuts through oil-based preparations effectively.

Similar to Haywards 5000 Lager

kingfisher-premium-lager,carlsberg-premium-lager,kingfisher-strong

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.

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Last updated: June 2026