BENGALURU: Beer city Bengaluru is literally high on spirit these days. The pub city, with one of the largest number of microbreweries in India is opening up to niche spirits and offbeat liqueurs. Chances are that the city is bored with beer and is looking for novelty.
What else explains microbreweries setting their sights on the cocktail and spirit segment. Big Brewski Brewing Company is opening a craft cocktail bar on its premises soon. Partner-owner Pravesh Pandey said, “About 28% of our revenue came from cocktails, which is a big deal for a microbrewery. The taste buds of Bengalureans have evolved. Many are bored of beer and want something new.”
Also, apparently, classic cocktails like margaritas and Long Island Iced Teas do not make the cut anymore. Pandey, for one, is, therefore, adding homemade bitters and tinctures, dandelion root, and Malagueta chili pepper, besides new spirits like Duck Vodka and Amaris and liqueurs like Peruvian Pisco, Limoncello and Fernet.
Xoox Brewmill is launching beer cocktails. They, too, have added homemade baileys, kahlua and syrups to keep the segment innovative. Managing director Rekhansh Karamchandani says, “Despite beer being our USP, we had to give importance to cocktails as it contributes to a whopping 35% to our revenue. Bengalureans aged between 25 and 38 dine-out at least twice a week. We need to experiment to make them our repeat customers in this fierce market.”
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Raghunandan Prasad, founder of Yellow Submarine microbrewery, attributes the trend to a market saturation due to the microbrewery onslaught. “There are 48 microbreweries in Bengaluru. JP Nagar alone will see six microbreweries soon. The market is getting divided and saturated,” he said.
Cocktails and spirits make business sense more than anything. “Since the investment is huge for a microbrewery, it is as good as running a factory along with a pub. A fancy cocktail bar is less risky, requires less space and is easier on the pocket.”
The rise in brand-engagement programmes at resto-bars is an indicator of the transition. Kitty-Ko at The Lalit is hosting Globe In The Glass to introduce niche liquor brands like Beluga and Botanist to bar owners and enthusiasts.
Ken Pritchard, senior VP for international sales and marketing at Sula Vineyards, said, “There is an increasing interest among consumers to try new categories, especially gin and vodka. Consumers are moving from a category or brand to becoming “portfolio” drinkers.”
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This World Beer Day Learn How To Tell Your Lager From An Ale Like A Pro
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Beer can be called the drink for all seasons, and reasons. Whether you're chilling at a sports bar with friends or out for a brunch, the many varieties of beer make it possible to pair the drink with any food.
From lagers to India Pale Ale (IPAs), beer lists continue to grow on menus.
Beer can be broadly classified as an ale or a lager; then depending on their flavours and styles they can be India Pale Ales (IPA), pilsners, porters, stouts, and wheat and Belgian beers, among others.
While the major difference between various beers is the yeast and the temperature they are fermented at, here's a list to help you show-off your beer knowledge the next time you head out.
Beer can be called the drink for all seasons, and reasons. Whether you're chilling at a sports bar with friends or out for a brunch, the many varieties of beer make it possible to pair the drink with..
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The beer for beginners, lagers are brewed at low temperatures, using the bottom-fermenting strains of yeast. This yeast has a lower tolerance to alcohol, making many lagers light and crisp (though that doesn’t hold true for all of them and don’t be surprised to spot a dark, rich lager).
Talking about the growing trend of lager consumption in India, Mahesh Kanchan, Vice President- Marketing, Carlsberg India, said, “Lagers are synonymous with a refined and distinctly satisfying taste.
"Known for their deep, full-flavoured malty notes, lagers have seen great appreciation from the Indian consumer base."
The beer for beginners, lagers are brewed at low temperatures, using the bottom-fermenting strains of yeast. This yeast has a lower tolerance to alcohol, making many lagers light and crisp (though th..
Read More
Brewed with top fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures, ales are usually full-bodied with a hoppy finish. Top-fermenting yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has greater tolerance to alcohol, and hence produces stronger (higher alcohol content) beers.
Ales tend to be darker, have a cloudier appearance, and a stronger, more robust flavour.
Brewed with top fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures, ales are usually full-bodied with a hoppy finish. Top-fermenting yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has greater tolerance to alcohol, and hence ..
Read More
Perfect for a hot summer day, pilsners are light and refreshing. This beer originated in the town of Plzen in the Czech Republic. Pale lagers were flavoured with a stronger hop called the Saaz hop, resulting in the hoppy Pilsner. Most of them tend to have around 5-6% ABV.
Perfect for a hot summer day, pilsners are light and refreshing. This beer originated in the town of Plzen in the Czech Republic. Pale lagers were flavoured with a stronger hop called the Saaz hop, r..
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Wheat beer, as the name suggests, is made up of at least 50 per cent wheat. The wheat content is much higher than in other beers that primarily contain barley or rye.
While most wheat beers are pale and cloudy, they are also light and refreshing.
Some varieties are Hefeweizen (a Bavarian beer with banana, bubblegum, and clove notes), Dunkelweizen (a darker hefeweizen with a more roasted malt), Weizenbock (a stronger hefeweizen with more fruit and malt flavours), Witbier (a Belgian style wheat beer), Berliner Weisse (a northern Bavarian light and sour beer), and American Wheat (the American version of a German wheat beer).
Wheat beer, as the name suggests, is made up of at least 50 per cent wheat. The wheat content is much higher than in other beers that primarily contain barley or rye.
While most wheat beers are pale..
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You can love India Pale Ales (IPAs), or hate them, but this is one category you definitely can't ignore. IPAs come in a range of styles; some may be bitter and have high alcohol content, while the others will taste citrus or fruity. Some of the common IPA styles include British IPA, West Coast IPA, Oat IPA, Belgian IPA, and Sour IPA.
You can love India Pale Ales (IPAs), or hate them, but this is one category you definitely can't ignore. IPAs come in a range of styles; some may be bitter and have high alcohol content, while the ..
