Inspired by place, shaped by community, and poured with pride – the rise of Indonesian craft beer captures both tradition and modern taste.
Brews on the Rise
Riding the new wave with Kura Kura Beer
Born amid the global pandemic, Kura Kura Beer has become more than just a drink – it has emerged as a symbol of craftsmanship, resilience, and the easy rhythm of island life. What began as a simple dream of a father-and-son duo, Putu and Kadek Wiranatha, to brew fresh, authentic craft beer in Bali, has since transformed into a cultural movement that is reshaping Indonesia’s beer scene.
From its early batches to its growing portfolio, Kura Kura has created beers that embody the island’s laid-back soul. Crisp Lager, smooth Easy Ale, tropical Island Ale, refreshing Session Hazy, and the bold New England IPA – all brewed with care, patience, and personality. Each bottle carries a taste of Bali: unhurried, approachable, and unmistakably real.
But the essence of Kura Kura lies not only in its recipes, but in its identity. Its name, which means turtle in Indonesian, pays homage to Balinese folklore, where the island itself was believed to rest upon a turtle’s back. The turtle, in turn, is a living emblem of balance and cultural grounding, a reminder that Kura Kura is as much about heritage as it is about hops.
Today, the brewery has gone far beyond Bali’s shores. From Lombok and the Gili Islands to Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya, Kura Kura has built a loyal following across Indonesia. Its reach now extends internationally too, with exports to Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia, as well as collaborations with acclaimed breweries in Portugal and Australia. Each step is a testament to Bali’s growing presence in the global craft beer conversation.
As co-founder Putu puts it, “When you’re drinking Kura Kura, you’re drinking the good stuff. Real beer with real personality. We took the time to source the finest ingredients, fine-tuned the recipes, then brewed things nice and slow, for that mellow, island flavour.”
Tenggara Brewing Co. crafts culture and community
Jakarta may not be the first city that springs to mind when one thinks of craft beer, but Tenggara Brewing Co. is rewriting the narrative with a uniquely Indonesian approach to brewing. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Leon from Australia and Liz from Indonesia, the label began as a modest home-brewing experiment in 2018. Today, it is a rising force in Southeast Asia’s beer scene, celebrated for both its creativity and its authenticity.
At the heart of Tenggara is a philosophy: beer should be about more than hops and malt. It should be a bridge between maker and drinker, and a reflection of culture and community. True to this ethos, their recipes are original, deeply personal, and often accented with local ingredients that tell a story of place.
Their debut brews set the tone. Harmoni, a balanced IPA, nods to both the Jakarta neighbourhood of the same name and the harmony of biscuity malt and tropical hop aromas. Limelight, a tart wheat beer brightened with local lime, evokes the zest of a tropical afternoon. Both came wrapped in artwork by young illustrator Zeeva Zenitha, whose visual storytelling mirrors Tenggara’s playful spirit: wayang-inspired scenes for Limelight, a bustling Jakarta pasar for Harmoni.
The portfolio soon expanded. Buzzed, a Summer Honey Wheat Ale, uses wild Indonesian honey for a dry, floral finish – an ode to the country’s diverse landscapes. And O’Merah, perhaps their most daring creation, reimagines the classic Irish Red Ale with Javanese cardamom and Papuan vanilla, making it very likely the first Indo-Irish Red Ale ever brewed.
In a market dominated by global names, Tenggara Brewing Co. stands apart by staying close to its roots: two people, a shared passion, and a commitment to craft beer that is proudly Indonesian yet universally inviting.
Beaches Beer: brewing Bali as it is
Some beers are about escape. Beaches Beer is about being here. Light, crisp, and unpretentious, it was created with Bali’s rhythm in mind – a beer shaped for its heat, its pace, and its contradictions.
Bali is not only the sunsets and rice terraces seen on postcards. It is the humid air that clings to the skin, the daily ceremonies that weave into the chaos of motorbikes and incense smoke, the sense of order hidden within the seeming disorder. Beaches Beer is born from that reality. It doesn’t try to imitate a tropical lifestyle; it simply fits into it.
The line-up is refreshingly straightforward. Cerveza (4.6% ABV, 16 IBU) is a light-bodied lager designed to quench any thirst. Crisp and clean with a citrus finish, it is classic, crushable, and perfect for every session under the island sun. On the other hand, the Pale Ale (4.5% ABV, 30 IBU) delivers a burst of flavour with tropical notes, beautifully balanced and low in bitterness – approachable yet full of character.
Behind the label is Samara “Sam” Fuss, an Australian brewer who traded big-city brewing for Bali’s slower, more grounded way of life. Her approach is stripped back and honest, much like the island itself. First produced in Jakarta, Beaches Beer eventually found its natural rhythm in Bali, where today it appears everywhere – from beachside coolers to market fridges and barbecues with friends.
What sets Beaches apart is not only its taste, but its attitude. There are no grand promises of paradise, no glossy branding. It is a beer made for being present, a companion to the moments that make Bali what it is: untamed, communal, and always real.
IOI Beer brews stories from 17,000 islands
Based in Karangasem, Bali, the microbrewery of Islands of Imagination (IOI Beer) has quickly risen to international recognition, crowned Country Champion Brewery 2024 at the Asia Beer Championship in Singapore – a milestone that firmly places Indonesia on the regional craft beer map.
Founded by Laura and Pieter Prinsloo, IOI Beer was born with a singular vision: to brew small-batch beers that carry the stories of Indonesia’s 17,000 islands. Each recipe is inspired by local fruits, spices, and traditions, transforming the archipelago’s rich ingredients into a liquid narrative. From Flores Bajawa Arabica coffee and Kalimantan honey to Jatiluwih rice and salak fruit from Karangasem, every release becomes a celebration of place, culture, and community.
At the 2024 Asia Beer Championship, IOI’s creativity shone brightly with several category distinctions. The Coffee Porter – a smooth, bold pour infused with Flores Bajawa coffee – took home a Gold Medal in the Porter category. The Padiluwih Lager, crisp and refreshing with rice from Bali’s famed terraces, earned a Chairman’s Selection in the International Lager category. Meanwhile, the Honey Kölsch, infused with Sumatra’s Dark Acacia honey, captured the judges’ attention with its delicate floral notes.
But IOI Beer is not just about brewing. Since its launch in 2022, the brand has become a fixture in Bali’s lifestyle and creative scenes, supporting music, food, and cultural festivals. Their anniversary celebration, Summer Sours, brought playful new creations like Mangotopia, Berry Sour, and Soursop Sour – releases that reflected both Indonesia’s tropical abundance and IOI’s experimental spirit.
Raising the bar with Island Brewing
The journey of Island Brewing began with Mattia’s passion as a homebrewer, which in 2019 led to the launch of Black Sand Brewery, a Canggu hotspot for beer enthusiasts. By 2022, rising demand inspired the leap to Island Brewing’s state-of-the-art facility in Kaba Kaba, just a stone’s throw from Canggu. What started as small-batch experimentation quickly grew into a brewery capable of shaping Bali’s beer scene at scale – but the heart has always remained the same: crafting fresh, unpretentious beers designed to bring people together.
The brewery’s line-up reflects that balance of craftsmanship and easy-drinking appeal. The Pilsner is crisp and sunset-ready at 4.1% ABV, while the Summer Pale Ale offers more body and hop character. The Small Hazy bursts with tropical notes of mango and nectarine, and the Light Lager keeps things clean at just 3.5% ABV. Collaborations with Black Sand Brewery add further depth, from a balanced IPA to a gently sweet, refreshing Kölsch – proof that there’s always a reason to raise a glass.
Michael King, head of brewing operations at Island Brewing, explains that the brand’s story has always been about more than just beer. “You’ll often find us at the beach or supporting grassroots events hosted by local brands and communities,” he says. “We make an effort to have our cold beers available anywhere our fans flock to – whether that’s a beachside warung far off the beaten path or a small convenience store around the corner.”
That spirit of collaboration also extends to the brews themselves. Through their Black Sand label, Island Brewing partnered with Expat Roasters to create the Coffee Blonde, infused with Kintamani single-origin honey coffee beans for a crisp golden body laced with floral notes, delicate honey, and subtle sweetness.
For the future, the mission is clear: to keep shaping a scene that’s still young but full of potential. “Beer has been the ultimate social connector for centuries,” Michael says, “and it’s not going away. Our hope is to continue as stewards of the craft, not just for Bali, but for all of Indonesia – showing people what ‘Time Well Spent’ really means.”
Go with the beer flow
South+East Brewing Co.
For those seeking Bali’s most dynamic beer experience, look no further than South+East Brewing Co. in Kerobokan. Surrounded by rice fields yet buzzing with creative energy, this pioneering taproom has the distinction of being Indonesia’s first with 24 rotating taps, showcasing the best of the nation’s burgeoning craft beer scene.
Founded by the team behind boutique brewery Islands of Imagination (IOI), South+East is more than just a beer garden. With over 200 seats across indoor, garden, and open-air rice field areas, it’s a destination where craft meets community. Weekends come alive with live bands, DJs, and acoustic sets, turning a simple pint into a celebration.
The name, South+East, is a nod to the founders’ roots – South Africa and Indonesia – and this cultural fusion carries through to the kitchen. Guests can graze on creative small bites like South African Biltong in a Bowl, Curry Puffs, and Beef Rendang Spring Rolls, or indulge in hearty mains from Peri-Peri Chicken to Crispy Pork Belly with rice. True to its heritage, the venue also fires up a traditional South African Braai, grilling steaks, boerewors, and pork belly over open flames – a feast designed to be savoured with a cold beer in hand.
The adventure doesn’t stop in Kerobokan. In May 2025, the team launched Issho Izakaya Taproom in Petitenget – a stylish sister venue offering its own 24 taps alongside Japanese-inspired highballs, cocktails, and a curated wine list. Between the two, South+East Brewing Co. has secured its place at the forefront of Bali’s evolving drinking culture, inviting locals and visitors alike to explore, taste, and celebrate beer in all its forms.
Black Sand Brewery
Set against the emerald backdrop of Canggu’s rice fields, Black Sand Brewery has become one of Bali’s most vibrant destinations for craft beer and convivial gatherings. More than a brewery, it is a place where beer, food, and community intertwine – drawing locals, travellers, and beer enthusiasts to its sprawling beer garden and lively kitchen.
Since opening its doors in 2019, Black Sand has embodied the belief that beer is best savoured with good company. What began as founder Mattia Morri’s pursuit of creating finely crafted brews has grown into a venue that celebrates the full experience of eating, drinking, and connecting. Today, guests can enjoy the pioneering creations of Black Sand alongside the award-winning releases from Island Brewing, all poured fresh on-site.
The space itself mirrors the spirit of Bali – laid-back, sociable, and effortlessly stylish. With over 200 seats spanning its modern brewery hall and open-air beer garden, Black Sand invites long afternoons that slip into evenings of laughter, music, and clinking glasses. The food menu is as compelling as the beers, offering a mix of hearty classics and refined plates designed to pair seamlessly with every pour. One thing is for sure, the kitchen shares the same ethos as the brewery: quality without compromise.
At its heart, Black Sand Brewery is about more than what’s in the glass. It’s about the moments created around the table, the friends made over a shared pitcher, and the sense of discovery that comes with exploring Bali’s thriving craft beer scene.