Craft brewing has been booming in the US over the past
10 years. But its relatively very new in India. Craft beer is expected to see
sales surge in many major cities in the coming times such as Bangalore, Gurgaon, Mumbai and Delhi. Following the success of Cerana Beverages, that
almost sold out of its Bira 91 range following its launch in 2015. The cult
around microbreweries and craft beer is growing.
Witlinger is yet another
example of a craft beer which has been taken into stride with both arms by the
people due to its easy and refreshing taste and crispy notes. Once you have had
this, you will never have that yellow fizzy industrial stuff we call beer.
To get
India on the Beer map of the world, Ishan
Grover, Master Brewer (RJ Brewing Solutions) and John Eapen, Beer Evangelist
(Tales Of Froth) came up with the idea of a collaboration Craft Beer between
Bangalore and Gurgaon – two of the nation’s biggest Beer drinking cities.
Ishan and John took the help of
Craft Beer enthusiasts Karthik Singh and Vivek Maru from the Bangalore Brew
Crew to come up with the recipes for these special brews. The Bangalore Brew
Crew are no stranger to collaboration brews or Indian ingredients. In April
2016, they brewed a beer with Lemongrass and Betel Leaves for Arbor Brewing
Company, Bangalore, which was received very well.
Ekta Saison
For decades now, there have been
differences that have divided the North and the South ranging from physical
distance to cultural diversity. There is no better time for unity than
now as Craft Beer rises in the nation and what if a Beer could bridge cultural
divides in India?
Ekta is the Sanskrit for unity and
these collaboration brews that bridge the geographical & cultural divide
between the Deccan Plateau and the fields of Gurgaon, which is truly a symbol
of unity between the North and South. Saisons are traditional farmhouse
ales that our spicy, fruity, funky and refreshing.
Ekta Hibiscus Saison – brewed with
Hibisucus flowers will be on tap at Quaff.
Ekta Masala Saison – brewed
with cloves and pepper will be on tap at Lagom.
Hibiscus grows all over India and is
used as a religious offering whilst clove and black pepper are commonly used
spices in North and South Indian cooking.