Kochi: A Polish beer brand with a uniquely Malayali name is all set to make its Kerala debut. ‘Malayali’ beer, the flagship product of Hexagon Spirits International, a beverage startup founded in Poland by Palakkad natives Chandramohan Nalloor and Sargeev Sukumaran, will soon be available at the Kochi airport’s duty-free shop.

Launched in 2022, the Malayali beer series has reached 17 countries in less than two years and is now gearing up for its Indian launch. After India, the next stop is Oman. The company is targeting a turnover of 3.3 million euros this year.

Ironically, starting a beer company had never crossed the minds of Chandramohan, then serving as Business Relationship Director at the Indo-Polish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IPCCI), or his friend Sargeev, a startup mentor and designer with Samsung. But then came an unexpected twist. Just four days before a shipment of five tonnes of rice flakes from Varanasi reached the port in Hamburg, the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, triggering a currency crisis. Faced with unusable inventory and few options, the duo stumbled upon the idea of brewing beer using rice flakes. The name Malayali was inspired by a real-life moment during Operation Ganga, the Indian Government’s mission to rescue citizens stranded in Ukraine. The duo noticed that a majority of the volunteers involved were Malayalis. That spark turned into an idea: why not name the beer after the ever-present Malayali spirit?

What began as a light-hearted nod to honour the community soon became a powerful brand. “The emotional pull and strength of the name exceeded anything we expected,” the duo said. When Malayali beer hits shelves in Kerala, each can will carry the tagline: “Wherever you go, I am here.” And in true Kerala style, it will also bear a cheeky Malayalam message: “Saadhanam kayyil undo?” (Got the stuff in your hand?)