Is there wine made in Bhutan?

Yes. Zumzin is a Bhutanese peach wine at 12% ABV, pleasant and fruity. Vintria is a Shiraz at 13.5% ABV, considered the best local wine. Takin Red Wine is a sweeter, more affordable option.

Ara is a traditional Bhutanese distilled spirit made from barley, rice, wheat, potatoes, or buckwheat. It can be either fermented or distilled, and is deeply embedded in Bhutanese hospitality and ceremony. It is usually homemade rather than commercially bottled.

Chang (or Chhaang) is a traditional fermented grain beer made from rice, maize, or millet, common across the Himalayan region. In Bhutan it is brewed at home and served at festivals and gatherings — mildly alcoholic, slightly sour, often drunk warm.

Bhutan Drinks Guide — Beer, Whisky & Wine in the Land of the Thunder Dragon

Q: What is the best beer in Bhutan?

Druk 11000 is the most widely available Bhutanese beer — a strong lager at 8% ABV brewed in Pasakha. Red Panda, an unfiltered Hefeweizen from Bumthang Brewery, is rarer but considered the craft highlight.

Q: What whisky is made in Bhutan?

K5 Himalayan Whisky (blended, named after the 5th King, bottled in Gelephu) is the most widely available. TER is an 18-year aged single malt, rare and expensive. Special Courier is a popular local blended whisky.

🍺 The Beers of Bhutan

From a cult Himalayan microbrewery to the nation's most ubiquitous lager.

Weiss Beer · ~5% ABV

Red Panda

Bhutan's cult craft beer — an unfiltered Hefeweizen from Bumthang Brewery, the country's first microbrewery. Small-batch and hard to find outside central Bhutan. Aromas of banana, clove, and lemon.

Small-batch Bumthang Unfiltered

Craft Original

Strong Lager · 8% ABV

Druk 11000

The most widely-recognised Bhutanese beer. Named after the Thunder Dragon — Bhutan's national symbol — and brewed in Pasakha with Himalayan spring water. Found in every shop and restaurant across the country.

Druk Lager

The everyday sessionable lager from Bhutan Brewery — lighter than its sibling Druk 11000, available in 650ml bottles and 500ml cans. The default house beer in many Thimphu restaurants.

Sessionable Available in cans Widely stocked

Traditional Beer · Varies

Chang

Bhutan's ancient grain beer — fermented from rice, maize, or millet and brewed in homes across the Himalayas. Served warm at festivals and gatherings. Slightly sour, mildly alcoholic, deeply cultural.

Traditional Festival drink Home-brewed

Traditional

🥃 Spirits & Whisky

Bhutan produces some of the world's most unusual whiskies — and one of the oldest traditional spirits in the Himalayas.

K5 Himalayan Blended Whisky bottle — Gelephu Distillery, Bhutan

Blended Whisky · 48.2% ABV

K5 Himalayan Whisky

Named in honour of His Majesty the Fifth King. Blended and bottled at the Gelephu Distillery under the Bhutanese Army Welfare Project: 65% Scottish malt (8–12 year, ex-bourbon and sherry casks) blended with 35% Bhutanese organic grain spirit distilled with Himalayan glacial water.

Royal tribute Gelephu 750ml · ~$89

Most Famous

TER 18-year Single Malt Whisky bottle — Bhutan

Single Malt · 40% ABV

TER Whisky

Tér means "treasure" in Dzongkha — and this 18-year aged single malt earns the name. Rare, exquisitely smooth, and released in 2019 in tiny quantities. One of the most collectable whiskies to emerge from South Asia. Often out of stock.

18-year aged Limited release 700ml · ~$315

Rare

🥃

Blended Whisky · 42.8% ABV

Special Courier

One of Bhutan's oldest commercial whiskies, first produced in 1983 and blended over four years with selected malt. Extremely popular locally — often out of stock in Thimphu shops. At around Nu 300 (~$6) it is exceptional value and a genuine local institution.

Since 1983 Local favourite ~Nu 300

🏺

Traditional Spirit · Varies

Ara

Bhutan's ancient homemade spirit, distilled or fermented from barley, rice, wheat, potatoes, or buckwheat depending on the region. Deeply embedded in Bhutanese hospitality — guests are typically offered Ara as a gesture of welcome. Not commercially bottled; try it at a village homestay.

Traditional Home distilled Ceremonial

Traditional

🍷 Wine in Bhutan

Bhutan produces a small but interesting range of wines — including a peach wine unique to the Himalayas.

Peach Wine · 12% ABV

Zumzin

Made from natural, ripe Bhutanese peaches — this unique Himalayan fruit wine is fragrant, easy-drinking, and unlike anything you will find elsewhere. Works as an aperitif, with meals, or as a dessert wine. 700ml bottle.

Peach wine Bhutanese fruit ~$38 export

Unique

🍷

Shiraz · Dry Red · 13.5% ABV

Vintria Shiraz

Widely considered the best wine produced in Bhutan, made in collaboration with international wine experts. A dry Shiraz at 13.5% in a standard 750ml bottle. Priced at Nu 250 locally, it pairs well with Bhutanese red meat dishes and momos.

Dry red Best local wine Nu 250

Top Pick

🍷

Red Wine · Sweet · ~12% ABV

Takin Red Wine

Named after Bhutan's national animal, the takin, this is an affordable and approachable local red wine with a noticeably sweet character. At Nu 100 (~$1.20) it is one of the most accessible Bhutanese-made wines and widely found in local shops.

Sweet style Very affordable Nu 100

Breweries & Distilleries

Where Bhutan's drinks are actually made.

Bumthang Brewery

📍 Jakar, Bumthang (central Bhutan)

Bhutan's first microbrewery, linked to Swiss honorary citizen Fritz Maurer, who brought cheese-making and brewing to the Bumthang valley. It produces Red Panda in small batches. Visitors can usually tour the brewery and taste Red Panda at the source.

Products: Red Panda Weiss Beer

Bhutan Brewery Pvt Ltd

📍 Pasakha, Chhukha (near Phuentsholing)

Commissioned in 2006 in the Pasakha industrial estate near Bhutan's southern border with India. The country's main commercial brewery and maker of the most widely-distributed Bhutanese beers.

Products: Druk 11000 Strong Lager, Druk Lager

Gelephu Distillery

📍 Gelephu, Sarpang (southern Bhutan)

Operated under the Bhutanese Army Welfare Project, this distillery is home to Bhutan's most celebrated spirits. It produces K5 Himalayan Whisky — the first whisky blended and bottled in Bhutan — along with other spirits including Special Courier and TER.

Products: K5 Whisky, TER Single Malt, Special Courier, Bhutan Grain Whisky

Watch This Space

Craft Scene

📍 Thimphu

Bhutan's craft scene is nascent but stirring. A handful of Thimphu bars (Mojo Park, Old Factory, Drunken Yeti) now import craft beers and experiment with premium pours. As tourism grows, expect this to develop. We'll update this section as new players emerge.

Status: Emerging — check back for updates

Where to Drink in Bhutan

From the capital's live music bars to remote festival grounds.

🏙️ Thimphu

The capital has the best bar and restaurant scene, centered around Norzin Lam. Well-known spots include Mojo Park (live bands on weekends), The Alchemy Pub, Drunken Yeti (fills up fast, known for creative cocktails), and Old Factory (industrial-chic, craft focus). Hotel bars stock local and imported drinks.

✈️ Paro

Most visitors arrive via Paro's international airport. The town has several restaurants serving local beers and whisky alongside traditional Bhutanese food. A cold Druk after the dramatic mountain landing is practically a ritual among frequent visitors.

🏔️ Bumthang

Make the journey to central Bhutan and visit Bumthang Brewery — the source of Red Panda beer. A USD 5 tour typically includes a tasting. The valley is also home to producers of traditional Ara spirit; a village homestay is the best way to experience it.

🏞️ Punakha

Bhutan's former capital and a popular stop on the tourist trail. Guesthouses and small restaurants serve beer and spirits here, though selection is more limited than Thimphu. The setting — between two rivers beneath a massive dzong — makes any drink taste better.

🎉 Festivals (Tsechus)

Bhutan's Tsechus (religious festivals) are the best places to try Chang and Ara alongside locals. The Paro Tsechu (spring) and Thimphu Tsechu (autumn) are the most accessible for visitors and draw huge local crowds.

🛍️ Buy to Take Home

K5 Whisky and Zumzin peach wine are the best souvenirs. Look for them in Thimphu duty-free and larger shops. Check your airline's duty-free allowance — most permit 1–2 bottles of spirits and wine for personal import.

Plan Your Bhutan Drinks Trip

Everything you need to know to get there and drink well.

📋

Visa & Entry

Most nationalities apply for an e-visa via a licensed tour operator, and pay a Sustainable Development Fee of USD 100 per person, per night (fixed at this rate through August 2027). Indian nationals enter on a permit; Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals can get a visa on arrival. Always confirm current rules before booking.

Official Visa Info →

🗓️

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November) offer the best weather and coincide with the major Tsechu festivals — prime time for drinks and culture. Monsoon (June–August) brings rain but fewer tourists and lower demand for guesthouses.

✈️

Getting There

Drukair and Bhutan Airlines operate the only commercial flights into Paro International Airport. Routes connect via Delhi, Kolkata, Bangkok, Singapore, and Kathmandu. The mountain approach to Paro is one of the world's most spectacular — and nerve-wracking — landings.

Drukair →

💰

Drink Prices

Local beer is very affordable: a 650ml Druk costs roughly BTN 75–85 in a shop (~$1). K5 Whisky runs around Nu 1,500–2,000 locally. Zumzin peach wine is around Nu 350–450. Hotel and tourist bars charge a premium but rarely exceed USD 8 for a drink.

Book Your Bhutan Trip

Bhutan requires travel through a licensed tour operator. Start with the official Department of Tourism site to find an authorised operator.

Plan Your Trip with Trek Bhutan

Everything you need to know

Bhutan Drinks Guide

Is alcohol legal in Bhutan?

Yes. Bhutan has no alcohol prohibition. Beer, whisky, wine, and spirits are freely available in restaurants, bars, and shops throughout the country. Bhutan produces its own whiskies (K5, TER, Special Courier), wines (Zumzin, Vintria), traditional spirits (Ara), and beers (Druk 11000, Red Panda). The country has introduced strict tobacco bans but alcohol remains unrestricted.

What is the best beer in Bhutan?

Druk 11000 is the most widely available — a strong lager at 8% ABV brewed in Pasakha, found everywhere from Thimphu restaurants to roadside shops. Red Panda, an unfiltered Hefeweizen from the Bumthang microbrewery, is rarer but widely regarded as the craft highlight and worth seeking out if you travel to central Bhutan.

What whisky is made in Bhutan?

K5 Himalayan Whisky (blended, 48.2%, bottled in Gelephu) is the most famous and accessible — named after the 5th King and produced under the Army Welfare Project. TER is an 18-year aged single malt released in 2019, rare and priced around $315 internationally. Special Courier (since 1983) is the popular everyday local blended whisky at around Nu 300.

Is there wine in Bhutan?

Yes. Zumzin is a unique Bhutanese peach wine (12% ABV, 700ml), pleasant and fruit-forward. Vintria Shiraz (13.5%, 750ml) is considered the best local wine — a dry red made with international expertise. Takin Red Wine is a sweeter, more affordable option at Nu 100. Imported wines are also widely available in Thimphu restaurants and hotels.

What is Ara?

Ara is Bhutan's traditional homemade spirit, distilled or fermented from barley, rice, wheat, potatoes, or buckwheat depending on the region and season. It is deeply embedded in Bhutanese hospitality — guests are typically offered Ara as a gesture of welcome and goodwill. It is not commercially bottled in any significant way; the best place to try it is at a village homestay or during a festival.

What is Chang?

Chang (also spelled Chhaang) is a traditional fermented grain beer made from rice, maize, or millet, common across the Himalayan region including Bhutan. It is brewed at home and served at festivals and community gatherings — mildly alcoholic, slightly sour, and usually drunk warm from a bamboo vessel. It is a very different experience from commercial beer and one worth seeking out at a local festival.

Can you bring alcohol out of Bhutan?

Yes, within your home country's customs limits. K5 Whisky and Zumzin peach wine are excellent choices to bring home. They are available at larger shops in Thimphu and duty-free at Paro airport. Check your airline and destination country's duty-free allowance (typically 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine).