Bombay's Best Breweries

Keep Your Spirits High

It's International Beer Day! Just the excuse we needed to chug a few mugs of the chilled, frothy delightful drink. Whether you're Netflix and Chilling or hosting a pizza party, beer is your best companion. But if you choose to make it a Friday night to remember, gather your pack and let us point you to the best breweries in town.

Effingut

Address: Dhanraj Mahal, Near Gateway of India, Colaba, Mumbai 400001
Ph: 022 30151473
Meal for two: Approximately
Rs. 2000 + taxes with alcohol

Poona’s popular brewery has arrived in Bombay to offer the best craft brews in Colaba. The brewpub has a rustic ambience with old movie posters, funny quotes and the most striking décor, including a wall of reflector shades and a bike suspended from the ceiling that gets your attention as you’re greeted into an atmosphere of great beers for a great time. Among the craft brews by UK certified brewer Manu Gulati, at least 11 varieties of beers are always available on tap here- some constant, some seasonal varieties. We tried the tasting tray and were impressed with the array, presented in an order from sweet to bitter. The Marzen Lager, a toasty crisp one, is a great choice for beer lovers, while those who want to try new varieties will love the Dry Stout, with a distinct dark coffee aroma. They house other interesting options like Strawberry Cider, Peach Ginger Mead and Hefeweizen. Apart from their craft beers, they also have a full bar housing all spirits and signature cocktails. Food menu at Effingut is elaborate, with spices and flavours that pair well with beer while not overpowering it. The zesty and tangy Orange Chicken was an interesting appetiser, as was the homely Kerala Chicken served with Malabar Paratha. The Three-Cheese Garlic Bread is one that you cannot miss. Their crisp flatbreads are also a must-try. At the end of your beer high, desserts do justice with a Sizzling Brownie that literally dazzles its way through your appetite. The Old Monk flambé was an impressive touch to the decadent chocolate brownie served with vanilla ice-cream.

Gateway Taproom

Address: Unit No. 3, Godrej BKC Building, BKC, Mumbai 400051
Ph: 022 2653 4748
Meal for two: Approximately Rs. 2200 and Rs 275 for a pint + taxes

It’s been a long time coming, but worth the wait. The craft brew trio from Poona finally set their feet into our city’s soil at the corporate jungle that is BKC, juxtaposing their brand which carries a warm and relaxed vibe. But it all works, for the crowds are a flocking at Gateway Taproom by Gateway Brewing Co’s Navin Mittal, Rahul Mehra and Krishna Naik in consultation with Chef Viraf Patel (Café Zoe fame) for the inviting culinary spread at the 2000-sq.ft. space. First off, the brews. Apart from the flagship Doppleganger, Flip Flop (white) IPA and Guava Ale, the Kaapi Stout is back, and the Monk’s Potion (Belgain style dark ale) and Vienna Lager make an entry. Exclusive brews from the Explorer Tap are perfect to start with, a side of Buckwheat Fries or Beer-battered Kale and Spinach the perfect accompaniments. You can hardly go wrong with Crispy Duck Salad and the Tenderloin Slider; Bean & Mushroom for the counterpart. Beetroot Fritters were certainly engaging and the classic Mac & Cheese with garam masala dusted over. Malt Glazed Salmon would go ingeniously well with Grape in my Side Car (apple cider and red wine) while for the Pressed Lamb with Black Lentil, Sour Cream Mash and Doppelganger Jus, it’s pretty obvious. Explore the jukebox app at GBC as you scoop into the Chocolate Stout Cake and sit back to cheer.

Thirsty City 127

Address: Todi Mills, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Tulsi Pipe Rd, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013
Ph: 0 91369 42030

Thirsty Beers is an edgy alco-beverage company, a popular name among consumers for their successful brews Happy and Simona. Brainchild of the beer-prenuer Vir Kotak, Thirsty is synonymous with fine flavours and fresh tastes. Beginning with the idea of introducing beer that is great, reasonably priced and not complicated to understand, Founder and Director Vir decided to take matters in his own hands, and that is when he decided to launch Thirsty Beers. At their recently launched flagship outlet Thirsty City, Thirsty City, you can try these to your heart's content. Following the popularity of the two brews, they have now launched six craft beers on tap at their microbrewery in Bombay. Bringing theAt an event held in Flea Bazaar Cafe, Vir introduced the range of beers brewed from the microbrewery in Lower Parel along with a pint, brewed and bottled in Europe. "Thirsty has come out with the nicest, freshest tastes that make drinking beers an exciting experience," says Vir as he introduces the first brew of the evening. The Thirsty Sexy Pig, a Belgian wit made its way down the thirsty throats of all. Happy, a classic European lager; Simona, a hefeweizen; Thirsty Lenox the Knight, a New England Indian pale ale; Kick Ass Kolsch Ale, a kolsch and Thirsty Ninja, a stout followed, impressing all. "We have crafted these beers using the finest ingredients, the most important of them being passion," says Vir, talking about the flavours that went into each of the beers. "The beers introduced by Thirsty are here to make the world a place where taste matters, time lingers and people stay," Vir toasts.

Toit Brewery - Taproom & Kitchen

Address: Zeba Centre, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400013
Mob: 0 93245 55223
Meal for two: Approximately Rs. 2000 + taxes, with alcohol

Who can forget the iconic BlueFROG? While memories from the music venue are still fresh in our minds, we are all set to welcome the brewery that has replaced BlueFROG in Lower Parel. Bangalore’s famous Toit Brewery opened its doors for Bombay’s beer aficionados. Toit has tried to replicate its Bangalore’s interiors for Bombay as well, with a high, glass-tilted roof looking over a calm, multi-storey space bathed in the hues of brown. The entire set-up oozes with the cosiness of a wooden cabin, with lush potted plants donning its interiors. Toit has brought its six brews from Bangalore. Chug on Basmati Blonde, Dark Knight, TinTin Toit, Colonial Toit and more. Funky indeed! For non-beer lovers – as there is at least one in every group – Toit has a refreshing choice of cocktails as well. Drinks such as Grandma's Magic Rasam, Fruity Kosambari, Indian Doctor’s Prescription and so on don the menu. Since your beer needs a munching buddy, the Meat Lover’s Wood-fired Pizza, Kerala Beef Fry, Gongura Chicken Winglets are good choices along with burgers and salads. Being a pet-friendly and handicap-friendly place, Toit marks a revolutionary spot in Bombay's brewery scene.

Verbena Brewpub

Address: 4th Floor, Trade View Bldg, Kamala Mills, Mumbai 400013
Ph: 022 6709 9988
Meal for two: Approximately Rs. 2000 + taxes, without alcohol

Popular roof-top eatery at Kamala Mills, Verbena, has now launched its own microbrewery within the premises itself. A section of the brewpub is now dedicated to freshly brewing five different varieties of beers at a time. As we enter the Skygarden for the preview of these newly-launched beers, we are greeted by the brewmaster who gives us a walk through the brewery. The impressive set-up manages the entire process from scratch, including storing their wheat and barley right here. After learning the basis of beermaking, we head to the part we were looking forward to the most– tastings! The five flavours brewed here and available on tap are the Stout-Out, Fordidden fruit, Aye Blonde, Yayger Bierster and Verbena White. Very intregued by the name Yayger Bierster, we asked the brewmaster about it. "Taste it to know for yourself," he said. And we did. One sip of us made it go "Yay!" as what we were trying was, they informed us, the first Jägermeister flavoured beer introduced! Hard-core beer-lovers may or may not approve, but we found the Jägermeister flavour an interesting and creative offering. The Verbena White, however was our favourite with its cool, refreshing and light flavour. For those who enjoy a stronger beer, the Stout-Out does not disappoint. Order some heavily loaded nachos from the tempting food menu, they are a good accompaniment with the beers. Also well-prepared are their Indian tandoori preparations, so do not hesitate before ordering a chicken tikka too. They'll vanish from the table before you know.

The White Owl Brewery

Address: One Indiabulls Center, Tower 2 Lobby, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai 400013
Ph: 022 2421 0231
Price range: Rs 245 - 495 for small and large pints

Torpedo, Diablo, Paulina, Shadow, Ace… no, we are not listing the lineup of superheroes that may flash across the big screen next, but the equally exciting selection of brews courtesy the much-loved Lower Parel brewery and bistro, with its music themed nights and a delicious spread to go with your drink. The White Owl Brewery (TWO), by the dynamic Javed Murad, launched in 2014 has upped the ante where tap beer is concerned, giving patrons ales such as the Diablo – an Irish Red Ale with a mild caramel and roast flavour; the Torpedo- an American Pale Ale with a strong citrus flavour; Shadow- an English Porter with a strong roast and mild chocolate flavour and Ace- a dry apple cider with champagne. If fruity is what you’re inclined to, then the German Paulina and Halcyon would be top choice – the former with an apple and pear flavour and the latter with banana and clove hints. Opt for the Fish Pie Gratin if Ace is your choice at TWO or the Chorizo Filo Roll with the Diablo, to give you a whiff.

If you're looking for attractive offers to add to the fun, head to Kaitlyn’s Beer Garden, Bandra and enjoy beers at INR 73 + taxes. Also enjoy a 15% discount on Budweiser at SMAAASH, Lower Parel this entire week. Try a quirky Kala Khatta Beer, with a 2+1 offer, newly introduced at SodaBottleOpenerWala specially for the occasion, or a whole new line of Beer Cocktails introduced at the Bombay Cocktail Bar.