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: Our Go-To Microbreweries For The Perfect Pint Everytime
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.
Arbor Brewing Company
Arbor Brewing Company, or ABC as it’s known locally, originally founded in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1995, opened their 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.
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. The Biere Club has a second microbrewery in Whitefield called Biere Street.
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 center. 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.
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. Off late, they have been serving a relatively new style of beer known as a New England IPA. It can be summed up as a style that has all the flavour and aroma of an IPA, but with reduced bitterness.
Geist Brewing Co.
Geist (one of Bengaluru's first breweries) needs no introduction because you've probably already enjoyed their craft beers at different pubs in the city. Now at their new physical space on Old Madras Road you can double down on some lovely ambience too! The prospect of open-air dining and chugging in a 7,500 sq. ft garden-like setting under the shade of a banyan tree is all the motivation you need to head here. Oh, and the beers! All of Geist's signatures are served fresh of tap -- from Geist Kamacitra (for IPA lovers) to a Geist Weiss Guy and a German Lager -- you're in for a beer treat!
Biergarten
A sprawling 14,000 sq. ft and an airy, al-fresco seating across two floor, BierGarten in Koramangala is major winning for its ambiance that perfectly complements the ooru's weather! To go with this perfect setting they've got 7-8 beer variants on tap with traditional German-style Hefeweizen, a dark Dunkel and Amber Larger being crowd faves. They also have an outlet in Whitefield and a menu that boasts European-style cuisine to go with those craft beers.
Red Rhino
Making sure the mostly forgotten side of the city, Whitefield has a watering hole to call its own, Red Rhino, today has peeps travel across town to enjoy their beers! The microbrewery has an expansive al-fresco terrace bar with gorgeous lighting and seating. They're known to brew only the best in small batches and have four regulars and one seasonal beer on offer. Try the Bangalore Daze, The Coffee-laced Stout and the Soul Surfer.
