Dehradun hits a high note with microbreweries & BYOBs

In our endeavor to dig out hidden beer connoisseurs, IndiFoodBev has visited microbreweries in Noida and Ghaziabad to explore the growing inclination for freshly brewed beer. During a recent visit to Dehradun, capital of Uttrakhand, we explored the fresh flavors of The Brew Estate. Situated on upmarket Rajpur Road, the microbrewery is surrounded by malls, hotels, shopping complexes, and liquor shops. Despite a popular whiskey and gin culture, Dehradun has seen a growth in preference for fresh beer.

The growing preference for beer can be attributed to the absence of glycerine in freshly brewed beer. Preservatives such as glycerine elongate the shelf life of bottled or canned beer. However, they are also responsible for a bloating effect in the tummy. As fresh brews contain no glycerine, the shelf life is limited from 20-60 days depending on the ingredients. Bad burps are also a big issue with packaged beer, which does not occur with fresh brews.

Consumers also prefer fresh beer due to the element of surprise in new flavors a microbrewery might offer. Anything sweet can be turned into alcohol with the right fermentation — fruits, sweets, chocolates, and candies. Some microbreweries prepare themed drinks for specific months such as rose beer for Valentine’s in February.

At Brew Estate, we sampled a range of German lager, rice lager, rum lager, and peach-flavored beer. The resident manager, Pawan Singh Rana, told us that rum lager and peach are the current favorites. He explained that brewing technology as well as the raw materials for beer preparation are imported from Germany.

Rana joined in September when the entire staff and management was revamped. “In Dehradun, we can’t say that consumers are crazy for flavored beer, but they are becoming more aware of an interesting alternative. At the moment, there are only four microbreweries in Dehradun, including us. The others are Beertales, Pyramid, and Tamako. Weekends are especially bustling with some regular and some new visitors.”

Singh was all praise for the brewmaster (a person who makes beer). “Our brewmaster is our USP. He is well-trained in the technology and the art of fermentation and flavoring. He is skilled enough to make the beer last for 60 days without using any preservatives.” Such a long shelf life is possible because of some German herbs. The microbrewery replenishes its stocks every two months.

The lounge area was decently sized with a small stage for live shows complemented with a projector screen, which at the time was featuring an ICC World Cup match. The lounge was good for evening parties. The most beautiful highlight was the outdoor seating area facing the mountain ranges. Having a beer with a view gave a perfect vibe of the city in the valley.

Another trend in Dehradun’s alcohol consumption culture is BYOB (bring your own booze) joints. We noticed a couple of them on Rajpur Road and got to know there are more on the road leading to Haridwar. The staff at the Rajpur Road BYOB told us that while clubs are more welcoming to youngsters, BYOB is suited for mature audiences who prefer to have a few drinks in a cost-efficient and peaceful manner.