Time for beers and cheers

Beer connoisseurs can try a variety of beers at Smokies' Bar, which are brewed fresh and taste great, says Barnalee Handique



If you like beer, and you are in a mood to try something new, then Smokies' Bar at The Corinthians Boutique Hotel may just be the right place for you. The place, formerly known as The 1st Brew House, offers the magic of a classic bar with contemporary setting.

Since its inception, the Brew House has been concocting beers in innovative ways. The beers come in various bitter and sweet, dark and light options. To name a few, mango beer, Christmas ale, apple cider, wheat beer have been great hits among the patrons.

What sets the joint apart is that you can see your favorite beer brewed in front of your eyes, while the brew master and his team initiates you into the nuances of beer brewing. You can learn about the variety of beers and the difference between them, their distinctive tastes and flavours, and so on, while sipping on your favourite drink.

When asked about the intricacies of fine beer making, Sahil Khare, the brew master, reveals, “Malts, yeast, gallons of water and the right temperature of course are the essentials. Malt is the main ingredient, which when roasted, gives the fine colour and flavour to different types of beer. Gradually, yeast is added and the whole mixture is fermented till a certain time period.” Khare and his team keep a check on the temperature controls in order to come up with the perfect brew.

Khare, who has graduated in this art six months back, has come up with a new graduation beer. “We are provisionally calling it the British Copper beer, because of it's fascinating copper colour. The ale is malty, fruity with a bitterness similar to English ale. That is one of the characteristic which sets it apart from other typical beers,” he says.

About the new beer, Khare elaborates, “The carbonisation of the beer is low to moderate, and it mellows down with conditioning. We have blended English hop-fuggles in the brew. These special hops are known for its flinty, mineral, earthy flavours. The basic purpose of the hops is that they help to balance the fruity notes.” How? “The liquid extracted after fermentation is too sweet. The hops assist to give the perfect harmony,” he replies.

And, of course, the beer tastes simply divine. Unlike the other beers, it has got more body, is crispier, and gives an extra zing to the palate.

Want to know something else? The beer complements Indian cuisine. You can guzzle a couple of pints with tandoori, better chicken, rogan josh and vegetarian dishes.

In the future, the brew master is planning to add kolsch (barbarian style of brew), dunken wheat (dark wheat beer) and a fizzy pop green tea beer to his repertoire.'re sure looking forward to it all!