Aneela Nike Post: Say cheers in Bengaluru!

Bengaluru is the beer capital of India. It’s tryst with pubs and beer drinking dates back to 1857 when the Scotsman, Thomas Leishman founded its first brewery here. United Breweries set up operations in then Bangalore in 1915……

Bangalore or Bengaluru is known as the IT destination of India. But there is something else that puts it in the tippler’s list. There is a close connection between beer and Bengaluru. For crisp, freshly-brewed, affordable beer, Bengaluru is the place to be. Here you find crowds, especially young, casually unwinding after-work. Some simulating their creativity with a mug in hand and whiling away sunny afternoons with friends at the city’s many microbreweries.

Ramada Pub was the first place, where draught beer from a tap was sold, opened in 1985. It was followed by a branch in Chamarajpet and The Pub, later to become Nasa on Church street. UB first made bulk beer for British troops in the city with beer transported in huge barrels or hogsheads. It’s most profitable brand Kingfisher was introduced in the 1960’s, which has made a favorite name amongst the beer drinkers.

1.16 crore cases of beer was sold in 2014-15 in Bengaluru city. Beer’s popularity was such that in April 2011, Karnataka raised the tax on spirits while leaving the tax on beer untouched – the first time there were different tax rates on different alcoholic beverages. But the good times did not last for long.

The city hosts beer guzzling contests and beer walks. Like Iceland that has a day dedicated to beer: March 1. It marks the celebration of the end of 73 years of prohibition in the country. The high-spirited Icelanders don’t stop at that. Verslunarmannahelgi in August is observed as the drunkest weekend of the year.

Bengaluru too raises a toast to Munich’s Oktoberfest with its own jamborees. Now all it needs is hangover beds and extra pants. In Munich, it’s okay if you sleep after bingeing. To keep festival attendees safe, hangover beds are set up at one tent for them to doze until the booze wears off.

Any one visiting Bengaluru and not tasting the beer is missing something unique to Bengaluru.

Also read: Bloody Mary is bloody good

MyPost

Hornbill Festival

Hornbill festival is held in Nagaland during December. The festival is packed with plenty of folk performances and rock shows by local artistes. It's also dubbed as the Festival of Festivals. It's a ten days event where various tribes of Nagaland come together to celebrate their colourful and rich culture. If you're a music lover, then the Hornbill International Rock Contest hosted every year featuring up-and-coming bands across the country. It also showcases the rich traditions of Nagaland across various local tribes.