UB Export.. Hmm… Heard of this beer? The world knows UB or United Breweries for their king of good times King Fisher and its variants. KF is popular and almost everyone knows it and can identify their trademark jingle Ullalalala eee ooo. You can see them in cricket matches and any other major events. They sponsor many of them.
UB Export in the House !
What the world is yet to discover is one of their product that goes by the companies name and yet remains one of the most underrated beers of all time. UB Export. It comes in two variants, premium and strong, UB export beer still remains one of the cheapest beer in the market and yet one of the most delicious ones out there. I haven’t really seen this being sold in other places in India. Karnataka remains one of the places destined to savor its taste and guard this closely kept secret.
Yella OK, Cool Drink Yake?
Most people in Karnataka can relate to the ad by superstar Upendra saying Yella ok, cool drink yake? (all is ok but why cool drink?) to signify its low cost. This was when the cost of a pint was around Rs. 35. At present a pint of UB export premium still costs 55 and the strong costs 60. I was used to Kalyani Black and other brands from Delhi including the ubiquitous KF. This ad not only made me curious, it was also a dream come true since it saved me a lot of money and as a student, getting a beer for that price was priceless.
What’s Changed?
Thats the best part.. Nothing !!. At a time when breweries and their fancy craft beers are changing the way people perceive beers and also changing their palate, UB export still remains a beer that they would definitely enjoy. This remains my go to beer after all the craft beers or imported beers I might have had during the day. This beer also is my travelling partner for any trips or drives I undertake. There is always a stock of UB at my place, at any given time.
KF has itself gone through a lot of changes in its recipe and has also got many new variants such as Storm, Ultra, Ultra Max and the latest which is Witbier to keep up with the the hordes of craft and imported beers that have exploded in the market… UB Export still continues to be the same beer without any change in taste and still continues with only two variants UB Export premium and UB export Strong; and yet holds its fort.
UB in Modern Times
You might want to search for coriander notes in a wit or banana/bubblegummy notes in a hefe, a blast of citrus or grapefruity hit of hops in an IPA or some piney/grassy dank notes in other beers. The craft beer enthusiast’s vocabulary is quite extensive in terms of flavor definitions. UB export will most definitely not meet any of these criteria. This is a simple beer that does not deserve these fancy vocabulary. There is just one word that defines this and that word is “refreshing:. This is just a refreshing commercial lager that has to be drunk chilled, chilled being the most important word here. So, put the analysis mode to rest and just enjoy the beer without bothering about the taste. There is no hops jumping at you or hidden notes that wants to be discovered or hiding. It’s all there in plain sight (or taste). It’s also the least complicated drink as it does nothing to the palate except refresh the senses. A chilled UB export mug can put right even the most direst of situations and moods. . If KF is king of good times, this is the monarch.
What do I usually have this with?. A spicy peanut masala and roasted papad. That’s all it takes for a good time. Try it, you will thank me later.
UB has been synonymous with our growing years from 18 onwards , absolutely, chilled it has to be and resonates with the common man
I haven’t tried this… damn. I need to… sadly, now there is even lesser chance of getting a pint here in Kerala