Rupee Beer Expands into Michigan Through Statewide Partnership with Imperial Beverage

Award-winning Indian-inspired beer brand brings its global food-focused portfolio to Michigan, introducing consumers across the state to a new approach to beer and food pairing.

PORTLAND, MAINE — Rupee Beer, the award-winning Indian-inspired beer brand recognized for its ability to complement global cuisine, is bringing its distinctive portfolio to Michigan through a new statewide distribution partnership with Imperial Beverage.

The expansion represents another significant step in Rupee Beer’s national growth strategy, making its signature Basmati Rice Lager and India Pale Ale available to restaurants, retailers, and beer enthusiasts throughout Michigan. Rupee aims to introduce more consumers to beers specifically crafted to complement the flavors of international cuisine.

Founded on the belief that beer can do more than simply accompany a meal, Rupee Beer is redefining the relationship between the glass and the plate. Its distinctive approach combines familiar beer styles with inspiration from Indian culinary traditions, creating versatile, food-friendly beers designed to bring out the best in a wide range of dishes.

Bringing a New Beer Experience to Michigan

Michigan’s diverse food culture, vibrant restaurant industry, and appreciation for craft beverages make it a natural market for Rupee Beer’s continued expansion.

Rupee is particularly focused on expanding the tradition of pairing beer with flavorful, spice-driven dishes. While beer has long played a central role in Indian dining and the British curry-house tradition, the brand sees significant opportunity to introduce this experience to a broader American audience.

The goal is simple: encourage consumers to explore how the right beer can complement, balance, and elevate the flavors of a meal.

A Portfolio Inspired by Food, International Flavor, and Tradition

Rupee Beer was created with food pairing at its core. Rather than treating beer as an afterthought to the dining experience, the brand develops its products to work alongside bold seasonings, aromatic spices, and a wide range of global cuisines.

The portfolio includes:

Basmati Rice Lager: The brand’s flagship offering, brewed for a light, crisp, and refreshing finish that pairs naturally with Indian cuisine and other flavorful international dishes.

India Pale Ale: A distinctive IPA inspired by the historical connection between India and British brewing, offering another option for consumers who enjoy more pronounced hop character.

Mango Wheat Ale: A seasonal, fruit-forward beer featuring mango-inspired flavor, designed to complement spicy, tropical, and aromatic foods.

Non-Alcoholic Beer: A non-alcoholic option that allows consumers to enjoy the Rupee food-pairing experience without the alcohol.

Darjeeling Hard Tea: An extension of the brand’s India-inspired philosophy, drawing on the country’s rich tea heritage.

Rupee Beer was developed by master brewer Alan Pugsley, a British-born brewing pioneer with more than four decades of experience and a career spanning more than 100 beer brands worldwide.

A Family Story Rooted in Food and Hospitality

Rupee Beer was founded in 2020 by brothers Vanit and Sumit Sharma, whose family has more than 50 years of experience in the restaurant business across multiple countries.

Growing up in a family of Indian restaurateurs, the brothers developed an appreciation for the relationship between food, culture, and hospitality. Their experiences living in London and Australia further shaped their understanding of how beer can enhance the dining experience, particularly when paired with the bold flavors of Indian cuisine.

After returning to their hometown of Portland, Maine, during the pandemic, they identified an opportunity to bring something new to the American beer market.

Despite the growing popularity of Indian restaurants throughout the United States, the brothers saw relatively few beers developed specifically to complement Indian food. They launched Rupee to help close that gap, creating a brand that celebrates culinary discovery while making food pairing approachable for everyday consumers.

Today, that original vision continues to guide the company’s expansion into new markets.

Imperial Beverage Partnership Supports Statewide Growth

The partnership with Imperial Beverage marks an important milestone in Rupee Beer’s continued expansion across the United States.

By working with an established Michigan distribution partner, Rupee is positioned to build relationships with restaurants and retailers throughout the state while introducing its food-focused portfolio to a wider audience.

Since its launch, Rupee Beer has continued to expand beyond its New England roots, building a growing national presence and pursuing new opportunities to bring Indian-inspired beer to consumers across the country. The Michigan launch adds another important market to that journey.

For the Sharma brothers, expansion is about more than increasing distribution. It is about introducing a different way to think about beer, encouraging consumers to explore new world flavors, and celebrating the role that food and drink play in bringing people together.

“Rupee is about discovery,” said Sharma. “We want people to experience how the right beer can bring out the flavors of a dish and make a great meal even better. Michigan is an exciting opportunity for us, and we’re looking forward to working with Imperial Beverage to bring that experience to consumers across the state.”

With its arrival in Michigan, Rupee Beer continues to build on its mission to connect beer, spice, and global cuisine one meal and one pint at a time.