🥃 Arak Bali
Indonesian distillate of fermented palm sap (lontar, coconut, sugar palm) from the island of Bali; since 2020 production has been regulated by Bali Governor's Decree No. 1/2020.
Arak Bali is a traditional strong drink from the Indonesian island of Bali, a distillate of fermented palm sap that locals call nira. The sap is collected from the flower clusters of lontar, coconut or sugar palms, then fermented and distilled in simple village stills. Its strength is not standardised and depends on the distillation. Since 2020 production has been regulated by Bali Governor's Decree No. 1/2020.
Law and status. Governor's Decree No. 1 of 2020 on traditional Balinese fermented and distilled drinks covers arak, tuak and brem, including for religious ceremonies. It provides for labels, producer cooperatives and supervision but, according to provincial authorities, does not allow free trade. Governor Wayan Koster declared 29 January Arak Bali Day.
Production. According to a 2023 report from the village of Merita in Karangasem district, a collector climbs 30–40 lontar palms every day and cuts the flower clusters with a special knife, and the sap drips into a vessel. 'Lau', the root or bark of local trees, is added to the sap, which then ferments and goes to distillation. One cycle takes 3–5 hours and yields about 3 litres of arak.
Counterfeits. In 2022 the governor demanded the closure in Karangasem of the production of 'sugar arak', a distillate of sugar and synthetic yeast which, in his words, harms farmers, taste and health. Karangasem is the main arak region, with about 1,800 farmers in six districts. Some of the output already has BPOM approval and excise stamps.
Why this matters to you. A more reliable arak comes in a labelled bottle with an excise stamp and BPOM approval; spirit without a label may be counterfeit and dangerous. Palm sap makes the drink traditional, not healthy. Do not confuse it with Levantine arak, an anise drink made from grapes, or with Sri Lankan arrack, which is also a palm distillate. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| Legal basis | Governor of Bali Decree No. 1/2020 on traditional Balinese fermented and distilled drinks |
|---|---|
| Raw material | fermented sap (nira) from the flower clusters of lontar, coconut and sugar palms |
| Distillation method | simple village distillation; one 3–5 hour cycle yields about 3 litres |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Arak Bali → kind of → 🍶 Asian spirit traditions → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation
- Packed in
- 🍷 Wine label
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🍶 Asian spirit traditions
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Sri Lankan arrack, 🥃 Feni, 🥃 Lao Khao, 🥃 Arak, 🥃 Mahua, 🥃 Lambanog, 🥃 Punsch (Swedish punsch)
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Bali arak is healthy because it is made from palm sap?
No. The raw material is natural, but in the bottle it is ethyl alcohol. Locals have long considered it a 'warming' drink, but the WHO reminds us that there is no safe amount of alcohol.
What is Arak Bali made from?
From fermented sap (nira) from the flower clusters of lontar, coconut and sugar palms. Bali's authorities consider a distillate of sugar and synthetic yeast ('arak gula') a violation of Decree No. 1/2020.
How does Arak Bali differ from Levantine arak?
The names are similar, but the drinks differ. Balinese arak is a palm distillate without anise, while Levantine arak is grape spirit distilled with anise, which turns milky with water.
What is 'arak gula'?
'Sugar arak' is a cheap distillate of sugar and synthetic yeast. In 2022 the governor of Bali demanded the closure of such production in Karangasem, as it undermines traditional arak and threatens health.
When is Arak Bali Day celebrated?
On 29 January, by governor's decision No. 929/03-I/HK/2022, to commemorate the adoption of Decree No. 1/2020.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation — Yeast eats the sugar in the must and releases alcohol and carbon dioxide.
- 🍷 Wine label — The sticker on a bottle: who made it, where from, the year and strength.
- 🥃 Feni — Feni is the spirit of Goa, India, distilled from fermented cashew apple juice or coconut toddy. The name has been an Indian GI since 2009; cashew feni is double-distilled and bottled at 40–45.5% ABV.
- 🥃 Punsch (Swedish punsch) — Punsch (Swedish punsch) is a highly sweetened, slightly spicy Swedish liqueur based on Indonesian Batavia arrack, around 25% ABV. Early punsch was served hot; from the mid-1800s it was bottled and drunk well chilled.
Similar
🥃 Sri Lankan arrack · 🥃 Mahua · 🥃 Lambanog · 🥃 Lao-Lao · 🥃 Munbae-ju · 🥃 Raksi (Nepali home distillate)
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- ANTARA News Bali (24.12.2022): Governor Koster sets 29 January as Hari Arak Bali (SK Gubernur Bali No. 929/03-I/HK/2022), marking Pergub Bali No. 1/2020; BPOM permits and excise stamps
- ANTARA News Bali (21.02.2022): Governor asks to close sugar-based arak production in Karangasem — traditional arak from palm sap (aren/jaka, kelapa, rontal); 1,798 arak farmers in six districts
- detikBali (29.01.2023): Kisah kasih perajin arak Bali — Merita, Labasari, Abang, Karangasem: lontar sap, 30–40 palms a day, 3–5 hours per distillation, ~3 l
- Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Sui Generis 3(4), Oct. 2023, Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha: Implementasi Pasal 14 ayat 3 Pergub Bali No. 1/2020 (labelling of Arak Bali in Buleleng)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)