Cobra

Cobra Beer is a British lager brand founded in 1989 by Lord Karan Bilimoria in Fulham, London, created to be a smoother, less carbonated alternative to typical British lagers. The beer was initially brewed in Bangalore, India, at the Mysore Brewery, and first imported to the United Kingdom in 1990. Production moved to the United Kingdom in the mid-1990s, with the brand brewed under contract by Charles Wells Ltd from 1996.

The concept behind Cobra was shaped by a specific need: a beer that could be drunk with food without causing bloating, designed to complement spicy cuisine. Bilimoria positioned it as a smoother, more balanced lager that would appeal to ale and lager drinkers alike. The name itself came from a focus group: the brand was originally planned to be called Panther, but Cobra was judged more appealing and the name was changed at the eleventh hour.

The brewing recipe includes malted barley, rice, maize, wheat and three varieties of hops, with the process emphasising controlled fermentation and reduced carbonation. Cobra is manufactured in Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire, as well as in Rodenbach, Belgium, and in Patna in the Indian state of Bihar.

In 2009, the company went into administration. It was rescued through the formation of a joint venture with Molson Coors, and as of 2024 is fully owned by Molson Coors. The brand's annual retail sales exceeded $250 million as of 2018.

Cobra produces an alcohol-free lager alongside its main range, and exports to around 40 countries as of 2023.

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