Vault Brewery turns Telangana-grown Sonamasuri rice into a crisp lager

Rice beer is found across India, and many regions boast their own versions — from handia in Jharkhand to zutho in Nagaland to apong in Arunachal Pradesh. Taking inspiration from this heritage, Vault Brewery in Hyderabad now offers Biyyam, a rice lager brewed with organically grown Sonamasuri rice from Rayaparthi village in Warangal, Telangana. This varietal, chosen for its delicate aroma, low starch content and smooth texture, is grown without chemical fertilisers or pesticides. The result is a crisp, pale yellow lager with floral notes, subtle sweetness and very low bitterness.

Head brewer Sathish Pogulakonda says, “It has a crisp mouthfeel, not much hoppiness, and a clear-to-sweet aftertaste that pairs well with our chicken kaju pakodi or pizza.”

As Vault’s managing director Karthik Vegesana puts it: “We wanted something refreshing yet grounded in the region. Biyyam is a tribute to our farmers, our land, and drinkers who want beer with character and clarity.”

Currently, Biyyam is on tap exclusively at Vault Brewery in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.