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Ale’s well that mixes well!

With the growing popularity of craft beers both in Mumbai and Delhi mixologists are going all out to broaden their consumer base with some interesting beer cocktails. We get experts to weigh in on this trend

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Beer is not the answer. Beer is the question and beer cocktails are a result of mulling over that question. This is the  pensive mood that a glass or two of beer or in this case beer cockatils can put you in. And while you ponder over the many complexities of this new summer favourite, we give you some more food for thought. An elemental one being how did the beer cocktail go from a simple shandy (beer mixed with a soft drink) to something as varied as a beer margarita, mojito, punch and more? The answer lies in the growing popularity of craft beers.

‘Having more flavour profiles to work with has helped mixologists’

Sommelier Nikhil Agarwal (CEO All Things Nice) breaks it down for you. He says, “There is a huge craft beer phenomenon, which has become the mainstay now. With the quality of craft beer improving and more and more of it being sold at restaurants and microbreweries, customers are exposed to more flavour profiles. Until four years ago, people did not know the difference between a lager and a wheat beer. With more flavours there is a lot more variety that people can choose from and even mixologists have a lot more flavours to dabble with. And while there are purists like me who prefer the real deal, there are many out there who are open to trying beer cocktails as they are light and refreshing. Also, every bar wants to stand out, and they do so by creating their own signature cocktails. By introducing beer cocktails, mixologists are attempting to introduce more people to different beer flavours profiles and maybe eventually even try a beer.” Could it be a fad or is it something that’s here to stay? Prashant Issar, co-owner of Mumbai-based Madeira & Mime, says, “Although a beer shandy has been around for a long time, it’s only recently that beer cocktails are coming of age. As beer is reinventing itself and becoming fashionable with craft brews, beer cocktails are turning out to be a more dynamic value add. One does not need a master brewer to invent a beer cocktail. It’s more instant, flexible and can complement a variety of palates. It is definitely here to stay! The future  does look interesting.

Going forward, expect savoury/sweet beer cocktails

Ketan SS Gohel, co-founder / owner Brewbot Eatery & Pub Brewery adds, “Beer cocktails are the next best thing on menus in the US and is soon becoming a trend in Mumbai. Besides Shandy which is the most common beer cocktail in India, mixologists are now creating intriguing mixes with beers using ales and even stout’s. Soon bars all around Mumbai are going to have some amazing mixes or even a separate heading on their menus featuring complex beer cocktails, which could vary from being savoury to sweet.” It’s also ideal for a Sunday brunch. Sandeep Sharma, head mixologist, at Hoppipola, explains,“Beer cocktails have picked up in the recent past. A lot of places are adding it on their menu as they want people to start ordering cocktails in the day as well. And people relate beer to a relaxing drink. So beer cocktails are the perfect option to have for a Sunday Brunch.

Ideal for summers, but I don’t think it will be around for too long.” Lolita Sarkar, Desi Deli, creative chef and co-founder of Desi Deli, adds, “From the day we started in Bandra, our guests always wished they could get a beer or a wine with their food. So when DesiDeli Andheri opened, we got a beer and wine licence. Interestingly, an interest in low alcohol cocktails is beginning to trend the world over. We decided to launch beer cocktails and also sangrias, wine coolers and sparkling cocktails. We currently have two beer cocktails. The classic Michelada which is like a bloody mary made with beer and the French Monaco, a cocktail with pomegranate juice. Michelada is spicy and wakes you up and the French Monaco is refreshing and cools you down! Also, internationally, the subtleties of beer have always been acknowledged, but with gourmet restaurants stocking wide varieties of extremely different types of beer, their pairing with food has come to the forefront. Beer pairing with food has become a trending rage, both because it is new and it is so credible and truly enjoyable.”

Why it works for Delhi?

Vikrant Batra, owner Cafe Delhi Heights, says, “Beer cocktail is a new innovation, which has been derived from the west. In Delhi, we have almost nine months of summer wherein people prefer consuming beer instead of a hard liquour as it is more suitable. Also, a huge chunk of people prefer beer as it is a light liquour so it is especially for them so that they too can have a fun element in their preferred beverage.” Rakshay Dhariwal, director, Pass Code Hospitality Pvt Ltd, of Ping’s Cafe Orient adds, “Customers want beer with a twist to it. This goes very well with non-beer lovers as well.” Gaurav Kapur, executive assistant manager from Hotel The Royal Plaza, sums it up with these lines. He says, “I feel the popularity is due to larger variants of the beer brews and flavours being available now, which helps the bartender to create more cocktails. The market acceptance for the beer cocktails is gaining foothold amongst the youth and is the more preferred beverage now.” 

After all noone said it better than English poet and playwright,  William Shakespeare, “For a quart of ale is a dish for a king.” And if it’s good for a king, why should the commoner be left out?

DIY 

Beer punch

Ingredients

150 ml Draught beer 
20 ml Vodka
150 ml Lemonade 
Lemon wheels to garnish

Method

Stir all the ingredients with five to six ice cubes in a shaker. Pour it in a Pilsner glass. Garnish with lemon wheels and mint leaves. 
Recipe courtesy: Indigo Deli, Cyber Hub Gurgaon

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