BARHI Sweeps Free From Food Awards 2026, Offering the UK On-Trade a Food-First Alternative to Beer and Cider

World's first lightly sparkling date-based alcoholic beverage secures four major accolades and launches 30 litre kegs alongside 330 ml bottles for pub and bar dispense.

LONDON, UK — The UK's craft beverage and pub sector has a new, award-winning category bridging the gap between premium drinks and spice-rich gastronomy. BARHI, the world's first lightly sparkling date-based alcoholic beverage, has secured four major accolades at the Free From Food Awards 2026, cementing its viability as a high-quality, food-first alternative to traditional beers and ciders on tasting menus and pub bars.

To support its rapid expansion into the UK hospitality sector, BARHI has officially launched 30 litre kegs along with 330 ml bottles, tailored specifically for pub and bar dispense, providing pub-goers with a seamless way to elevate their culinary pairings.

A 16-Year Journey to Reverse the Brewing Process

While most beers and ciders are developed for standalone flavour and paired with food as an afterthought, BARHI was engineered in reverse. The project began in 2010 when founder Vikas Thakker identified a culinary gap: a significant portion of consumers felt traditional Western alcoholic drinks failed to properly complement heavily spiced dishes, such as Indian or Thai food.

Because Vikas Thakker did not consume alcohol before, he approached the brewing process entirely free from traditional industry biases. Instead, he spent over a decade focusing purely on the gastronomy: how taste, texture, and aroma interact with complex culinary spices. The result is a 6% ABV lightly sparkling date-based alcoholic beverage, crafted entirely from fresh Barhee dates and ethically sourced honey to act as the perfect culinary companion.

"I always felt there was a gap in the way we looked at food and alcohol. Most alcoholic drinks are created first, and the pairing comes later. With BARHI, I wanted to reverse that idea. I started with the food, especially spice-rich cuisines, and built the drink around what would truly complement those flavours."

VIKAS THAKKER — Founder & Director, Vintage Brewery UK Ltd

Sweeping the Free From Food Awards 2026

Consumer demand for premium, "better-for-you" choices has never been higher in the pub and hospitality trade. BARHI answers this call through its uncompromising food-first philosophy, resulting in a drink that is naturally gluten-free. It contains zero added sugars, using only the natural sugars from dates and honey, and maintains a low-carbohydrate, low-calorie profile of just 1.52g carbs and 115 kcal.

This meticulous, allergen-conscious approach was heavily validated at the Free From Food Awards 2026, where BARHI took home:

Gold – Drinks – BARHI Spiced (infused with star anise and honey)

Silver – Drinks – BARHI Original (fresh Barhee dates and honey)

Runner-Up – Product of the Year – BARHI Spiced

Runner-Up – Sustainability – BARHI

For cellar managers, pub-goers, and drinks writers looking for the next phase of fermentation innovation, BARHI is currently available in 30 litre kegs along with 330 ml bottles. It provides an inclusive, food-led drinking experience unlike anything currently on the market.

About BARHI

BARHI is the world's first lightly sparkling date-based alcoholic beverage. Developed entirely around a food-first mentality, it is designed to sit naturally alongside flavour-rich cuisines. At 6% ABV, the beverage is naturally gluten-free, contains no added sugar, and is distinctly low in carbs and calories.

For more information:

Vikas Thakker, Founder & Director, Vintage Brewery UK Ltd

E: vikas@barhimeads.co.uk T: 07727 199966

W: www.barhimeads.co.uk

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