Adi Apong Rice Beer Brewing East Siang Arunachal Pradesh

Apong is a traditional rice beer brewed by the Adi community of East Siang, Upper Siang, and Dibang Valley districts of Arunachal Pradesh from fermented glutinous or ordinary rice using the Chi starter (a dried fermentation cake made from medicinal plants). The brewing process involves cooking rice, cooling it, mixing with powdered Chi starter, fermenting in bamboo vessels for 3-7 days for mild Poro Apong (cloudy beer) or 15-20 days for stronger Tapu Apong (clear beer). Apong is central to Adi community social life, offered at festivals including Ponung, weddings, and agricultural rites. The traditional Chi recipe incorporating specific Himalayan medicinal plants is family knowledge. Commercial bottled Apong is being developed under Arunachal food processing initiatives. The craft brewing tradition has cultural heritage protection under the NE India intangible cultural heritage documentation program.