Where to Find Indian Beer Across Albany, Schenectady & Saratoga County Tue, Sep 22, 2026 | imported beer India is one of the fastest-growing beer markets in the world. And while most people in the US associate Indian food and drinks culture with incredible cuisine and chai, the beer side of the picture has been quietly getting very interesting. Indian lagers are built for a specific job — cutting through heat, spice, and bold flavour. That makes them genuinely versatile, not just a novelty pick at a grocery store. Beer Universe stocks Indian beer across all 15 locations in Upstate NY — from Albany down to Kingston and up through the Saratoga corridor. Here's what's on the shelf and why it's worth knowing about. Why Indian Beer Works So Well Most Indian beers are lagers — crisp, well-carbonated, and designed to stay refreshing in serious heat. That same quality makes them excellent with food and easy to drink across a full meal or an afternoon in the sun. • High carbonation cuts through spicy food better than heavier beers • Clean malt profile doesn't compete with bold flavours — it complements them • Slightly higher ABV than typical American lagers — usually 5% to 8% • Versatile enough for Indian food, Thai, BBQ, or just a cold one on a hot day They're also consistently well-made. The big Indian brands invest seriously in brewing quality — Kingfisher, for example, is brewed under licence in multiple countries to strict standards. The Indian Beers Worth Knowing Kingfisher — The Name Everyone Recognises Kingfisher is the best-selling Indian beer in the world, and the most widely available Indian beer in Albany, NY and across the Beer Universe network. Light gold, clean, well-carbonated — it's the benchmark for the style. • Kingfisher Premium Lager — the original. Crisp, mildly hoppy, works with everything • Kingfisher Strong — higher ABV version at around 7.5%. More body, still refreshing • Kingfisher Ultra — the premium tier. Smoother finish, slightly more complex than the standard Taj Mahal — The Smooth One Taj Mahal is Kingfisher's main competition in the Indian lager market and the choice of people who want something slightly smoother and less bitter. It's brewed to be pairing-friendly rather than standalone-drinking. If you're putting together a spread of Indian food, Taj Mahal is usually the more considered choice. Flying Horse Royal Lager — The Strong One Flying Horse Royal Lager is one of India's most distinctive exports — a premium strong lager that sits at around 7.2% ABV and earns its place by actually tasting like a proper beer, not just a high-ABV novelty. Brewed by United Breweries — the same group behind Kingfisher — Flying Horse has its own character. It's fuller-bodied than Kingfisher Premium, with a slightly sweet malt base and a clean, dry finish that keeps it drinkable despite the higher strength. • ABV around 7.2% — strong by design, built for the Indian market where stronger lagers are a mainstream category • Richer malt body than standard Indian lagers — more substance, still easy-drinking • Pairs well with bolder food — lamb dishes, chargrilled meat, heavily spiced curries • A solid choice if you've had Kingfisher Strong and want something with a bit more character Flying Horse isn't the most widely available Indian beer in the US market, which makes finding it at Beer Universe a genuine win for anyone who knows what they're after. Indian Beer Across All 15 Beer Universe Locations Albany & Capital Region Beer Universe Albany carries the widest Indian beer selection in the network. Indian beer in Albany, NY is available year-round at the Central Avenue location, with 1-hour delivery across Albany County. Troy's three stores cover Rensselaer County. Indian beer in Troy, NY is stocked at Troy-Northern, Troy-5th Ave, and Troy-Hoosick — all offering pickup and local delivery. Wynantskill rounds out the eastern Rensselaer County coverage — a solid neighbourhood stop for anyone in that part of the region. Schenectady County Two locations cover Schenectady from both ends. Indian beer in Schenectady, NY is stocked at both Schenectady-Kelton on the south side and Schenectady-Union in the central city — pickup or 1-hour delivery from whichever is closest. Schenectady has a growing South Asian community and the demand for Indian beer here has been building steadily. Saratoga & Warren County Beer Universe's four newest stores now bring Indian beer in Saratoga, NY within reach for the first time without a Capital Region drive. • Malta — southern Saratoga County • Saratoga — central Saratoga Springs • Wilton — Saratoga Springs corridor • Queensbury — Warren County and Glens Falls area Hudson Valley — Kingston & Saugerties Ulster County's two locations both carry Indian imports. Indian beer in Kingston, NY is available at 403 Washington Avenue for pickup or 1-hour delivery. Saugerties on Ulster Avenue covers the Catskill corridor. If you're hosting an Indian food night in a Catskill rental, Indian beer in Saugerties, NY is a quick pickup on the way in. Greene & Montgomery County Coxsackie on Route 9W carries Indian beer for Greene County. Amsterdam serves Montgomery County — and is a useful stop for anyone heading north with a cooler to fill. Both locations stock Indian beer in Amsterdam, NY and Indian beer in Coxsackie, NY as part of the imported beer range. What to Pair With Indian Beer Indian lagers were designed with food in mind. Here's how to match them: • Kingfisher Premium — butter chicken, tikka masala, biryani. The clean bitterness stands up to creamy sauces • Taj Mahal — milder dishes like dal, vegetable curries, or grilled tandoori chicken • Flying Horse Royal Lager — lamb rogan josh, slow-cooked mutton, chargrilled kebabs. The higher ABV and fuller body handle bold, rich flavours well They also work perfectly well outside Indian cuisine — BBQ, spicy wings, grilled fish, and pizza all pair naturally with a cold Indian lager. Find Indian Beer at Your Nearest Beer Universe 15 locations across Upstate NY. Kingfisher, Taj Mahal, Flying Horse Royal Lager and more — in stock for pickup, curbside, or 1-hour delivery. 🍺 Shop Imported Beer → 📍 Find Your Nearest Location → Frequently Asked Questions What Indian beers does Beer Universe carry? Beer Universe stocks a range of Indian imports including Kingfisher Premium, Kingfisher Strong, Kingfisher Ultra, Taj Mahal, and Flying Horse Royal Lager across its 15 locations. Availability varies by store — check online or call your nearest location for current stock. Where can I find Indian beer in Schenectady, NY? Beer Universe has two Schenectady locations — Schenectady-Kelton on Kelton Avenue and Schenectady-Union on Union Street. Both carry Indian beer in the imported section and offer pickup and 1-hour local delivery. What is Flying Horse Royal Lager? Flying Horse Royal Lager is a premium strong lager from India, brewed by United Breweries — the same group behind Kingfisher. It sits at around 7.2% ABV, with a fuller body and richer malt character than standard Indian lagers. It pairs well with bold, spiced food and is a good choice for anyone who wants more substance than a regular Indian lager. Can I get Indian beer delivered in Albany or Troy? Yes. Order at beeruniversestore.com, select your nearest Beer Universe location, add Indian beer from the imported section, and choose 1-hour delivery at checkout. Available from Albany, all three Troy locations, Schenectady, and all other Beer Universe stores within their local delivery zones. By Jasraj Dhandi
