Top chilled beer picks in Mumbai by industry experts

Lagers remain the dominant choice for Indian consumers. Representation pic

Craft calling

Gaurish Rangnekar, restaurateur
Yes, the popular choice remains lagers in the style of a pilsner. Indians are introduced to beer through pilsners and it remains the conventional choice. There is a niche audience that is growing and favouring craft beers. I have seen the trend increase quite rapidly.

Beers made with rice and infused with kokum, and India Pale Ales (IPAs) are on the rise. Microbreweries particularly focus on Hefeweizen, seasonal pale ales and others. These do well in the summers.

Indians travel well now, and are well versed with beers like Singha in Thailand or Coors in the US. Consequently, they are more experimental and open to different beers. This will diversify the bar menu. Strong beers are also picking up in a big way. This is a potentially growing market in the future.

Lager love

Pankil Shah, co-founder, Woodside Inn
As Indians, we have been brought up on lagers like Kingfisher. They are also well suited for the summer. These macro breweries also sometimes use rice in the brewing process which adds to the lightness in the body of the lager. Personally, I can tell you that summers always see a rise in Hefeweizen, Belgian whit beers. These are light and easy to consume.

As an option, a small percentage does prefer ciders; although they are not beers. Their fruitiness makes them easily potable. I have noticed a good movement of mango and pineapple-infused ales this season. As for the use of grains, breweries are turning to local grains like millet. But their consumers are limited to aficionados. It is still at a nascent stage.

Ale's well

Gagan Sharma, sommelier
Over the last five or six years, witbiers and lagers remain the most preferred beer in the country. In recent summers, however, there has been a shift towards exploring IPAs.

Since 2016, the trend of drinking coffee, sans milk or sugar, has grown. This has influenced the global palate leaning towards a slightly bitter flavour. Hence, you see a boom in negroni consumption. There is a commonality of language being spoken among consumers even in beer. So, the percentage of IPA sales have gone up, and the trend is likely to continue.

For the future, fruity beers are here to stay. Many brewers are also experimenting with local grains such as millet and poha. But those are preferred by connoisseurs, and are limited. Fruits, spices, floral beers are growing. It can be an easy route for brewers to use familiar flavours such as mango or rose to introduce new brews. So, Hefeweizens, IPAs and fruity beers are to look for.

Guzzle away

.Independence
Brewing Company
AT Akshay Villa, opposite JP Road, Versova, Andheri West.
CALL 9156182337

. Doolally Taproom
AT Multilink House, Road No 3, Khar West.
CALL 9167860275

. TOIT
AT Mathuradas Mill Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel.
CALL 9324555223

. Effingut
AT Dhanraj Mahal, Colaba.
CALL 8657440663

. Royal Oak Brewery
AT Palm Beach Road, Sector 19, Vashi.
CALL 7304699866

. Finch Brewhouse, Thane
AT Upper ground floor, Lodha Amara, Manpada, Thane West.
CALL 9321944495

. MH04 The Drunkyard
AT Kothari Compound, Manpada, Thane West.
CALL 8698030404

. The Beer Garden
AT Shop S07, Seawoods Grand Central Mall, Nerul.
CALL 8828306300