HOW BENGALURU BECAME A CRAFT BEER CAPITAL

More than 100 microbreweries are flourishing in Bengaluru, the official beer capital of India, and there's more to come

- Ravi Raj

A war is brewing in the ever-rising microbrewery scene of Bengaluru, and nothing encapsulates the nature of their battle as the Olympian spirit of Citius, Altius, Fortius. It's no longer just about serving beers to the patrons, but there's also a race to provide larger-than-life experiences, with these microbreweries taking great pride in being the largest, the highest, the sexiest, and other such superlatives. When Byg Brewski unfurled its lavish 65,000-square-foot premise, it became the largest brewpub in the entire country. Ironhill, in 2021, came up with a microbrewery spanning across 1.3 lakh square feet, but even their record didn't withstand for long. The distinction for Asia's largest microbrewery now belongs to Prime Golf, a lavish, expansive venue that seamlessly brings the leisurely vibe of golf to the high art of craft beer.

Spread across a staggering 1.5 lakh square feet on a rather quiet stretch of the Whitefield, the Prime Golf oozes with extravagance. It's unlike any other microbrewery in the city, not only in terms of its size but also its aesthetics. The meticulously carved ceilings, embellished with elegant pendant lights, illuminate the vast space; the bar in the centre is minimalistic, and a generous sprinkle of leafy plants gives an earthy touch to the opulence. It's hard not to get awestruck by the sophistry of the architecture, which is a perfect blend of modernity and tradition. But it wasn't really a conscious decision to become the largest microbrewery, tells Dabbara Mallikarjuna Naidu, the brainchild of this venture. "It just happened. We need a minimum of 10,000 square feet to get a microbrewery license in Karnataka. We wanted to bring the thrill of golf, and since golf is a premium sport, we didn't want to compromise on the lavishness of the setting," he adds.