28 States Brewing Has Blended Indian Flavors in SF

The San Francisco brewery creates unique beers by incorporating South Asian spices and ingredients.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Beer

Bold vector editorial illustration of a stainless steel brewing vessel containing golden beer, saffron threads, and coriander seeds. — 28 States Brewing is expanding its footprint in San Francisco, offering a unique craft beer lineup infused with traditional South Asian spices. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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28 States Brewing has carved out a niche in San Francisco by producing beer infused with distinct Indian flavors. The operation, which began professional production in 2025, now distributes over a dozen varieties to locations throughout the Bay Area.

Why it matters

The brewery is leveraging South Asian culinary traditions to differentiate its craft beer profiles from traditional offerings. This fusion approach has gained traction in the local market, leading to increased sales activity over the past four months.

28 States Brewing produces 12 distinct beer varieties with an annual output of 270 barrels. Its Koko Singh Vienna lager features a 5.5% alcohol content and is brewed with cocoa nibs and vanilla beans.

The players

28 States Brewing

This San Francisco-based craft brewery specializes in creating beer profiles inspired by the culinary traditions and ingredients of India.

Barebottle Brewing

This Bay Area brewery formed a strategic distribution collaboration with 28 States Brewing in 2025.

The details

Operating from a basement beneath Sushi Sato in Lower Nob Hill, the brewery utilizes specialized techniques like toasting saffron and coriander seeds to infuse its products. The founder transitioned the brand from homebrewing to a professional scale following a successful distribution partnership.

2025: A collaboration with Barebottle Brewing secured official distribution for the brand.
Past four months: The brewery experienced a period of dramatic sales growth.

Culture Shift

28 States Brewing exemplifies a shift toward hyper-localized craft beer that mirrors the broader rise of fusion food and beverage trends in urban markets. By prioritizing niche, ingredient-led identities, the brewery navigates a crowded market through cultural differentiation.

Consumers in the Bay Area can find these unique craft varieties at select restaurants and bars ranging from Fremont to Glen Ellen. The growth of the brand suggests increased accessibility for those interested in trying locally produced beers with non-traditional flavor profiles.

The takeaway

Smaller, specialized breweries are finding success by focusing on unique, ingredient-forward identities that appeal to adventurous palates. Exploring local craft partnerships can often lead drinkers to discover regional flavor innovations that are not found in mass-market brands.