Wine & drink in Bhutan
Including Bumthang Valley Spirits Region. On the map.
The vibe
Bhutan’s spirits, such as rakshi and tsampa drinks, dominate the local drinking scene, with limited beer and wine. The best time to sample them is during spring or summer festivals when the community gathers. The vibe is intimate, with locals sharing drinks in small bars or at home, not a tourist tasting circuit.
Bumthang Valley Spirits Region
Bumthang District
Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Bumthang is the heart of Bhutanese spirits production, famous for the traditional distilled grain spirit known as Ara. Visitors can experience the authentic home-brewing culture and local distilleries that utilize high-altitude grains like buckwheat and barley.
Access. Accessible by road from Paro or Thimphu; travelers can arrange guided village visits to witness traditional Ara distillation processes.
Notes. Best visited during the autumn harvest season; bookings for distillery tours are best made through local cultural guides.