International Beer Day: 5 mixologists pick their favourite brews

To celebrate a socially-distanced International Beer Day, while we wait for bars to reopen, Lounge spoke to five bartenders to discover their go-to pints and why it gets their thumbs-up:

Vedant Mehra, Bar manager at Olive Bar & Kitchen, Mumbai:

Vedant Mehra

“My favourite beer, just like my food preferences, keeps changing. My newest find is Weiss Beer from the German brand Stangen. I discovered it during the lockdown when liqour stores opened after a long dry spell. It was the only beer available as stocks quickly depleted. Thankfully, I love drinking it. It’s a hefeweizen (a type of crispy wheat beer), with flavours of banana and clove and I enjoy how smooth it is. It's got a great body to it as well."

Faye Barretto, Independent Bartender, Mumbai:

Faye Baretto

“I like ciders a lot. Doolally’s mango cider is my go-to any time of the day and as soon as bars reopen, that’s where I am headed. Moonshine Meadery’s ciders are really nice too. If we are strictly speaking beer, I will pick Smooth Criminal by Arbor Brewing Company and Stella Artois. I am a fan of sour flavours, so citrus notes get my vote.

Dimi Lezinska, Mixologist, KOKO, Mumbai

Dimi Lezinska

“Guinness is the only beer that really satisfies my palate. It provides a wholesome mouthfeel, depth of flavours, the right amount of bitterness and still very refreshing. It is the only beer I can enjoy even after downing two pints. It has that beautiful creamy texture with flavours of roasted barley, coffee and chocolate. Whenever I travel back to London, my first and last stop is always Guinness. I am looking forward to having it in India one day!"

Niseeth Mohan, Bar Manager, Byg Brewski, Bengaluru

Niseeth Mohan

"When it comes to beer, I prefer the fresh brews. I would love to walk into one of my favourite breweries and pick a pint, preferably a hoppy beer. My favourites are IPA (for its distinct hoppy flavour), rauchbier (for its smoky flavour)and Witbier (for its citrusy spicy flavours)."

Cindy Lalramngaihzuali, Bartender, Perch, Delhi

Cindy Lalramngaihzuali

“Usually, I switch between two types—wheat and lager. On a day dedicated to drinks, I will opt for heavier wheat beers, like a Hoegaarden, and if there’s a big brunch or dinner scene, a lager, such as a Bira, works well for me. I enjoy malty pale ales and I am partial to citrusy and coffee flavours in my drinks."

Update: This story has been revised from the original version to clarify inputs from Niseeth Mohan, Bar Manager, Byg Brewski.