Craft beer culture is truly booming in Bangalore -- the 70+ microbreweries in the city should give you an idea -- and to do a round-up of what is considered to be the best microbreweries in Bangalore is tough. So we thought instead of doing the best, we'd pick that are evergreen, popular, and always serve the perfect pint come rain or sunshine. These microbreweries have all styles of beer there is -- from IPA to Stout and seasonal brews (mango to banana). So go on and have a pint or two at these favourites.
Stout, Lager Or IPA: 7 Of Our Go-To Microbreweries For The Perfect Pint Everytime
Overview
Toit
When anyone talks of a microbrewery in Bangalore, the first name that comes to mind is almost always Toit. Located in Indiranagar, this brewpub has also been around since 2010. Arguably the most popular brewpub in the country, Toit is now more or less considered an institution as far as craft beer goes. Toit’s usual line-up includes a Hefeweizen, a Belgian Wit, a Basmati Blonde, a Dry Stout on Nitro (Nitrogen), an English style Pale Ale, and is also one of the few places to also brew an Irish Red Ale. Toit also brews a special beer from time to time. In recent times, Toit’s volumes have shot up due to their popularity, and they have scaled back on the number of beers they have available regularly.
Timings: 8:30 AM to 1 AM
Cost For Two: INR 2,500
Rating: 4.5/5 on Google
Instagram Handle: @toitbeerco
Windmills Craftworks
Started in 2012, in Whitefield, Windmills Craft Works (Or just Windmills for short) is fondly referred to as the Rolls-Royce of microbreweries in Bangalore. This upscale establishment encompasses a jazz theatre featuring both domestic and international artistes; a fine dining restaurant serving cuisine from across Karnataka, as well as their terrace, which serves North Indian fare alfresco. Consistently churning out top-notch beers, Windmills offers a more “boutique” experience compared to your average brewpub. On tap, they usually have a Hefeweizen, a Golden Ale, A Stout, and 1-2 IPAs.
Timings: 12 noon to 12 midnight
Cost For Two: INR 3,500
Rating: 4.4/5 on Google
Instagram Handle: @windmills.bangalore
Arbor Brewing Company
Arbor Brewing Company, or ABC as it’s known locally, originally founded in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1995, opened its first overseas location in Bangalore in 2012. With a focus on American-style Indian Pale Ales (IPAs), ABC probably spurred the evolution of the “Hop Head” in Bangalore. IPAs are typically more bitter than most beers, and are generally characterised by the generous use of hops to provide bitterness as well as aroma. ABC is regularly known to have at least two, and sometimes as many as four IPAs on tap. In late 2015, ABC was the first microbrewery in the country to begin ageing beers in barrels. In a nutshell, they make a beer, and once it’s ready, they age it in a barrel for an extended period of time. ABC has a few whisky barrels as well as some wine barrels. Barrel ageing typically lends layers of complexity and flavours to the beer.
Timings: 12 noon to 12:30 AM
Cost For Two: INR 2,600
Rating: 4.4/5 on Google
Instagram Handle: @arborbrewindia
The Bier Library
Located in South Bangalore’s very happening and lit, Koramangala, The Bier Library microbrewery has a beautiful open space and seating with the view of a koi pond located bang in the centre. There's a cosy reading corner and a private garden too! Now to the important bit, on tap, they usually have a Red Ale, a Spicy Wheat Beer, and a Double IPA. They are also quite well known for their signatures that include Wittle Wit, Ale-O-Drama and Further Lager. At any given time, they have about 7 variants on tap. They also have another location in Sarjapur.
Timings: 12 noon to 1 AM
Cost For Two: INR 1,600
Rating: 4.4/5 on Google
Instagram Handle: @thebierlibrary
The Biere Club
The Biere Club was the first microbrewery in Bangalore to open its doors back in 2010. Located in the heart of the city, this brewpub has a typical pub-like ambience. The Biere Club usually has five or six beers on tap at any given time. In addition to the wheat, stout, lager, and Belgian-style ale, they are well known for their specials. They have experimented a lot, and a few of their stand-out specials include beers brewed with strawberry & vanilla, lemon & chilli, bay leaf, and even a beer made predominantly out of raagi, which is a locally grown millet. They have another location in HSR as well.
Timings: 12 noon to 12 midnight
Cost For Two: INR 2,600
Rating: 4.3/5 on Google
Instagram Handle: @thebiereclub
Geist Brewing Co.
Geist Brewing Co.’s first location is an open-air dining space spread over 7,500 sq. ft in a garden-like setting under the shade of a banyan tree. All of Geist's signatures are served fresh from tap -- from Geist Kamacitra (for IPA lovers) to a Geist Weiss Guy and a German Lager -- you're in for a beer treat. They are pet-friendly, and on the weekends, finding space is difficult, so if you’re making plans, better to come in early. Apart from the OMR location, they have a taproom in Rajajinagar and a microbrewery at Hennur.
Timings: 12 noon to 11:30 PM
Cost For Two: INR 2,500
Rating: 4.3/5 on Google
Instagram Handle: @drinkgeist
Biergarten
Beirgarten first opened in Whitefield in 2016, and since then, they have expanded to Koramangala, Manyata Tech Park, and Bellandur. Our go-to location has been the sprawling 14,000 sq. ft airy Koramangala location with al fresco seating across two floors. Of course, the Bellandur location is the biggest and most spacious, but this one just feels a lot different. At any given time, they have around 5-8 beers on tap, which include Belgian Tripel, Lucky Strike (Smoked Lager), Nina’s Nightmare (Weizenbock), Oopsie Daisy (Hefeweizen), Filter Coffee Stout, Scotch Ale, New England IPA, and Belgium Wheat.
Timings: 12 noon to 12 midnight
Cost For Two: INR
Rating: 4.3/5 on Google
Instagram Handle: @biergartenbangalore
