ABV: 0.0%
Calories per bottle: 78 (24 per 100ml)
If you’ve ever had a curry, you’ve probably had a Cobra, and it’s all thanks to the British-Asian entrepreneurs Karan Bilimoria and Arjun Reddy. Recognising our fondness for washing down a lamb korma with a lager, in 1989 they founded the Cobra company in their south London flat. Their aim was to brew a beer that was less gassy than most lagers and less bitter than traditional ales, especially for drinking with Indian food.
In 2005, the original 4.8% ABV Cobra Premium was joined by Cobra Zero. Using a recipe created by the Bavaria Brewery in the Netherlands, it’s made with a special yeast that doesn’t create alcohol, rather than having the alcohol removed at the end. Like Bavaria’s alcohol-free offering, it can therefore claim to be 0.0% ABV.
Tastewise, we’d say that Cobra Zero has the same smooth flavour as the Premium beer and is equally low on gas. Surprisingly malty for a lager, it goes well with Indian food, of course; but shouldn’t be kept just for curries, as it makes a decent accompaniment to any dish, especially when well-chilled on a hot day.
Look is often almost as important as taste, and the presentation of this beer is great, using a green glass version of the iconic Cobra bottle (elephants, crossed swords and all).
Cobra Zero also guarantees itself a diverse audience by being approved by the Vegetarian Society and certified kosher by the London Beth Din.
