Solan Brewery - One of the Oldest Breweries in the World

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Solan is a quaint hill station situated in the foothills of the mighty Himalayan range. Largely surrounded by lush green forests and enchanting hills, Solan is perched at an altitude of 1600 m. The town gets its name from the most revered Hindu goddess in the area - Shoolini Devi. The hill station has been nicknamed the ‘Mushroom City of India’ as it is the largest producer of mushrooms in the country.

Solan is among the top tourist destinations in India. The captivating monasteries, ancient religious sites and alluring architectural marvels are some of the many things that are worth exploring in Solan.

The hill station is also home to Solan Brewery, also known as Kasauli Brewery, which is celebrated as one of the oldest breweries in the world. Established by an Englishman named Edward Abraham Dyer as Dyer Breweries in 1855, it is now run by Mohan Meakin Ltd. Situated at a short distance from the Solan Railway Station, this brewery in Kasauli is one of the most interesting tourist places in town. It has now been converted into a distillery and is visited by thousands of tourists every year.

Establishment of Solan Brewery


During the late 1820s, Edward Dyer moved from England to India to set up the first brewery in Kasauli. He brought brewing and distillation equipment with him from England and Scotland. Dyer selected Kasauli as the location for the country’s first brewery because of the easy availability of fine spring water in the region and the pleasant climatic conditions.

Later in 1835, the brewery was moved to Solan, closer to Shimla, because of the abundant supply of fresh spring water. The brewery in Kasauli was converted into a distillery. It is the oldest operating distillery in Asia and also one of the oldest whiskey brewing distilleries in the world, which is among the many reasons that attract several tourists to its fold every year!

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Since then, Kasauli Brewery has been producing the country’s first single malt whiskey - Solan No. 1. It is also the only malt whiskey produced in the Himalayan region. Solan Brewery has also been producing Asia’s first beer brand - Lion Beer, since 1835.
 

Best Time to Visit Solan Brewery


Solan Brewery is open to the public throughout the year. It is a must-visit place for those looking to enjoy one of the finest single malt whiskeys in a serene atmosphere amidst the foothills of the mighty Himalayas!

Pamper yourself to an extravagant stay at our resort in Solan - Suryavilas Luxury Resort & Spa. Our cosy accommodations come fitted with contemporary benefits to ensure optimum comfort. We also offer a wide range of luxurious wellness programs for a rejuvenating experience amidst the mountains. To our guests’ delight, Suryavilas is situated at a comfortable distance from many tourist and travel hubs in town and 24.1 km from Solan Brewery.