All you need to know about alcohol consumption in Bhutan

The Bhutanese love their alcohol. But every Tuesday, known as “Dry Tuesday”, the sale of alcohol is not permitted. What’s up with that?

All you need to know about alcohol consumption in Bhutan

The Bhutanese have a solid alcohol culture. They serve alcohol as a sign of respect. They use it to show honour and hospitality. It is offered to welcome guests, confer well wishes, and send off loved ones. Alcohol is used to wash down the food, consumed as a dessert, and drunk before bed.

The beloved archery tournaments are booze-filled. If it’s not already obvious, the Bhutanese love their alcohol. 

Foreigners have been surprised by the high-quality alcohol found in Bhutan. One foreigner assumed incorrectly that Bhutan would be like her neighbouring countries where big international companies controlled the local breweries.

But Bhutan is not the same. Although Bhutan is small, it is home to some of the best alcohol in the region, not to mention a growing craft beer industry. 

Here are some alcoholic beverages you can find in Bhutan:

1. Ara

Ara is the national drink of Bhutan, made with the liquid produced from fermented grains. It is usually creamy, clear, or white in colour.

Other than at religious events, ara can be found in abundance at archery tournaments. Some archers claim that alcohol improves their aim!

2. Chang

Similar to ara, chang is made from fermented grains. In a way, it’s traditional beer. Locals brew it at home for personal consumption. It keeps them warm during the cold winter.

3. Bhutanese beer

As mentioned above, Bhutan brews their own beer. In fact, you should plan a visit to Bumthang Brewery or Namgay Artisanal Brewery!

Some popular local beers are:

  • Druk 11000
  • Druk Premium Lager
  • Druk Supreme
  • Thunder 15000 Strong
  • Red Panda Weiss Bear

4. Bhutanese liquor

Bhutan also has some nice liquor. They are:

  • K5 Whiskey
  • Grain Whiskey
  • The Silver Jubilee
  • Special Courier
  • Prophecy

4. Bhutanese wine

Fun fact. US-based Bhutan Wine Company has collaborated with Bhutanese partners to build the first fine-wine vineyard in Bhutan, known as the Yusipang Vineyard.

Some Bhutanese wine to try are:

  • Takin Red Wine
  • Vintria Shiraz Dry Wine
  • Zumzin Peach Wine

You can purchase Zumzin Peach Wine or K5 Whiskey on Bhutan Natural online store

Read more about these popular Bhutanese beverages

Tuesdays in Bhutan are known as “Dry Tuesday”

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the Bhutanese love to drink. There are more than 5,400 bars across Bhutan, even a few clubs in Thimphu. 

However, every Tuesday is known as “Dry Tuesday”. On that day, the sale of alcoholic beverages is not permitted. The bars do not sell alcohol every Tuesday. 

Why Tuesday?

British author James Montague tweeted that he asked a Bhutanese barman why they picked Tuesday out of all the days in a week. Was it a Buddhist thing? The barman responded, “No. We had to pick a day.”

Source: James Montague

Source: James Montague @ Twitter

The rationale behind Dry Tuesday is sombre. It was introduced as part of an attempt to curb alcohol abuse in Bhutan.

The negative impact of alcohol in Bhutan

According to a published report, there is one alcohol outlet for every 177 Bhutanese. The easy access to alcohol—may it be illicit or cheap industrial ones—has caused alcohol harm in Bhutan to become a serious problem.

survey conducted in Bhutan showed that more than 58% of the respondents in eastern Bhutan suffered from alcohol disorders. Of the 36.4% of adults who consumed alcohol in the past year, 10.5% had binged. Furthermore, up to 50% of harvested grain in each household is used to brew alcohol. Also worrying is the growing problem of alcohol-usage in underage youth.

According to Movendi International, Bhutan is facing an addiction epidemic. 

But the Bhutanese government did not rest on their laurels. In 2016, the country established The National Policy and Strategic Framework to Reduce Harmful Use of Alcohol. The report suggested strategies to reduce alcohol harm through ten different areas:

  • Leadership, awareness, and commitment
  • Health service response
  • Community response
  • Drink-driving policies and countermeasures
  • Regulating physical availability and quality of alcohol
  • Regulating alcohol promotion and advertising
  • Taxation and pricing policies
  • Reducing the negative consequences of drinking and alcohol intoxication
  • Reducing health impacts from illicit alcohol and informally produced alcohol
  • Monitoring and surveillance

In 2020, the Bhutanese government implemented GST Reforms that put a 100% tax on alcohol. According to Movendi International, the GST Bill 2020 imposed a 20% Excise Equalisation Tax on all unhealthy commodities, and a 100% tax on alcohol and tobacco.

Can you carry alcohol into Bhutan?

You can absolutely carry alcohol around in Bhutan. You can enjoy a beer in a public space too. However, there are two things to note:

  • All foreigners are allowed to carry a maximum of 1 litre of alcoholic spirit on them
  • Some religious sites and monasteries have restrictions on carrying alcohol within the premises

That said, there is no need to carry your own alcohol into Bhutan, as the country already has an abundance of it, and the Bhutanese would love to share it with you. Bottoms up!



Related Posts

6 popular beverages to enjoy in Bhutan

From butter tea to different types of alcohol, Bhutan has something for everyone.

May 11, 2021 10:54

Selling and buying of tobacco products are no longer illegal in...

Bhutan introduced a new law on tobacco. This new act permits the sales, distribution, buying, possession, and...

Nov 09, 2021 11:23

Passion and Purpose: Buddhas, Rockets, and the Road Less...

Nestled on the slopes of Bhutan’s Trongsa district, the quiet village of Chendipji looks much the same as it did sixty...

Aug 14, 2025 15:18

GMC Governor Dr Lotay Tshering Visits Ground-Up Initiative in...

GMC Governor Dr Lotay Tshering visits Ground-Up Initiative’s new site in Khatib, Singapore, gaining insights into...

Aug 13, 2025 16:49

Passion and Purpose: I Came for Work, but Bhutan Changed My Life

In this heartfelt interview, James Low shares how a two-year posting in Bhutan unexpectedly blossomed into a decade-long...

Aug 06, 2025 12:56

Latest

News

Bhutan to Host Unprecedented Global Peace Prayer Festival in November 2025

Bhutan will host the Global Peace Prayer Festival in November 2025, featuring rare rituals, Kalachakra empowerment, and historic nuns...

Sep 02, 2025 15:43

Bhutan to Host Its First-Ever Fashion Week in October 2025

Bhutan is set to host its first-ever Bhutan Fashion Week from 27 October to 1 November across Bumthang, Paro, and Thimphu, themed around the...

Aug 29, 2025 09:32

Features

Passion and Purpose: Buddhas, Rockets, and the Road Less Travelled

Nestled on the slopes of Bhutan’s Trongsa district, the quiet village of Chendipji looks much the same as it did sixty years ago—stone...

Aug 14, 2025 15:18

GMC Governor Dr Lotay Tshering Visits Ground-Up Initiative in Singapore: A Lesson in Community-Led Sustainability

GMC Governor Dr Lotay Tshering visits Ground-Up Initiative’s new site in Khatib, Singapore, gaining insights into community-led...

Aug 13, 2025 16:49

Business

High Altitude, Higher Ambitions: Bhutan Enters the Wine World

Bhutan has officially stepped onto the global wine stage with the debut of The Himalayan, a record-breaking 7.57-litre bottle auctioned by...

May 23, 2025 16:38

Most Popular Bars in Thimphu

Discover Thimphu’s vibrant nightlife, where traditional Bhutanese drinks meet modern cocktails in the city’s top bars and lounges. Unwind...

Feb 10, 2025 16:14

Sports

NBA Stars Visit Bhutan: A Historic Slam Dunk for Local Basketball

For the first time in history, four NBA players have visited Bhutan, igniting nationwide excitement and inspiring a new generation of...

Aug 05, 2025 10:10

Zimbiri Makes History as First Bhutanese Woman Elected to SAFF Executive Committee

Zimbiri has made history as the first Bhutanese woman elected to the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Executive Committee, a landmark...

May 28, 2025 10:49

Tourism

Beyond Phobjikha Why Khotokha is Bhutan’s Hidden Gem

Khotokha Valley in Wangduephodrang is a serene wetland sanctuary, home to endangered Black-necked Cranes and recognised as one of Bhutan’s...

Aug 28, 2025 09:50

From Double-Digit Growth to Global Awards: The Story of Guwahati Airport

Discover how Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, ranked 12th in India, is soaring with record passenger growth,...

Aug 11, 2025 10:33

Lifestyle

Bhutan Celebrates World Music Day with a Soulful Gathering in Thimphu

Bhutan marked World Music Day with a vibrant concert in Thimphu, featuring over 90 artists despite the rain. Discover how music is shaping...

Jun 23, 2025 16:37

What's in a Name? Discover Bhutan's Unique Naming Tradition

In Bhutan, names are traditionally given by monks and not tied to family lineage. Visitors can experience a traditional naming ceremony at...

Jun 03, 2025 14:04

Subscribe to our newsletter

Never miss out on new happenings and news stories!

newsletter

Download Daily Bhutan Mobile App

Connecting with us just got easier!

android app
apple app