Overview: Saltborn’s Simba brand has secured two honours at the prestigious World Beer Awards 2026, marking a significant milestone for the New Delhi-based brewery. The accolades join previous recognitions from 2025, ensuring every variant in the current portfolio holds awards recognition across two consecutive years.
The Full Story
Saltborn, the collective behind homegrown beverage brand Simba, has earned two honours at the prestigious World Beer Awards 2026, with Simba Wild awarded Silver and Simba Lager receiving Bronze. The latest accolades build on Simba Wit and Simba Stout being recognised at the World Beer Awards 2025, bringing all four variants in Simba’s current portfolio into the awards fold across two consecutive years. The World Beer Awards is an international competition recognising excellence across the global beverage industry. Beverages are judged through blind tastings by specialist judges, with recognition based on taste and quality. Winning at the awards therefore represents a meaningful mark of quality and international credibility for beverage brands.
For Simba, the recognition comes at a defining moment as the brand celebrates ten years of brewing in India and enters its next decade. From establishing its own brewery and championing small-batch craft beverages to building a portfolio spanning Wit, Stout, Lager and Wild, Simba’s journey has been rooted in experimentation, quality and a belief in doing things differently. Commenting on the recognition, Ishwaraj Singh Bhatia, Co-founder, Simba and ZigZag, said, “When we started Simba ten years ago, we set out to build a beverage brand rooted in craft, quality and a genuine belief in what we were brewing. Having Simba Wild and Simba Lager now join Wit and Stout at the World Beer Awards, with every variant in our portfolio recognised internationally, is a proud moment for us. It speaks to the consistency we have built over the years and the belief we have always had in making beverages that stand for something. A decade on, seeing that journey reflected across our entire portfolio is incredibly rewarding.”
Over the last decade, Simba has evolved from a homegrown label into a distinctive cultural brand, building its presence through music, creativity and community. Platforms such as Simba Uproar, First Time with Simba, Simba Garage and Simba Wagwan have created spaces for consumers to engage with the brand beyond the glass, reflecting Simba’s belief that beverages are as much about the experiences and communities around them as they are about what is being brewed.
Production & Profile
Launched in July 2026 as the newest addition to Simba’s portfolio, Simba Wild has earned Silver within weeks of entering the market. Crafted around a crisp, refreshing character, Simba Wild brings together subtle malt notes and delicate hop aromas, with a balanced profile designed to offer flavour without compromising drinkability. Simba Lager, meanwhile, adds a Bronze to the portfolio. One of Simba’s established offerings, the expression is defined by its clean, refreshing character and approachable profile, representing the brand’s ability to create distinctive expressions across styles while retaining a clear focus on flavour and quality.
Brand & Industry History
For Simba, the recognition comes at a defining moment as the brand celebrates ten years of brewing operations in India and enters its next decade. About Saltborn, the collective is described as a visionary redefining the landscape of premium consumer experiences. Built on high-quality craftsmanship, authenticity and innovation, it brings together a diverse portfolio of products and experiences that stay true to their origins while embracing modernity and creativity. Its portfolio includes Simba and ZigZag, with ambitions extending beyond alcoholic beverages.
What This Means
Together, the honours represent a decade-long brewing journey that has seen Simba build a portfolio of distinct styles, earn international recognition and continue to champion Indian craft brewing on the global stage. With each of its four current variants now recognised by the awards, the achievement marks a significant milestone for the Indian beverage brand and reflects a consistent focus on brewing across distinct styles.
Consumer Takeaway
With Simba Wild and Simba Lager now joining Simba Wit and Simba Stout as World Beer Awards-recognised beverages, the latest honours mark more than another year of accolades. The portfolio offers consumers access to distinct styles ranging from Wit and Stout to Lager and Wild, each carrying international recognition for taste and quality.
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