Raise a pint to this: Mumbai's getting a new craft beer brewery, developed and installed by three self-taught home brewers. Gateway Brewing Co should be up and running at the MIDC Industrial area in Dombivali by the end of November, and will supply its artisanal ales to top restaurants in the city. 

The Three Brew-tes
Home brewers Rahul Mehra and Krishna Naik met veteran brewer Navin Mittal via his blog Indian Beer Geek a few years ago. Like a thick layer of foam on a tall pint of lager, they’ve been inseparable ever since. Last year they decided to band together and brew on a larger scale, package the ale with their own brand and go commercial. 

Foam Party

They plan to brew all their beer in their 8,000-sq-foot space using locally grown and sourced ingredients, except for the hops and yeast which will be imported from the UK and Germany. Once they officially open, they’ll first concentrate on brewing three varieties: the German Hefeweizen, which is wheat-based; Porter, an English dark beer; and Indian Pale Ale (IPA), which, Rahul says, is favoured by beer drinkers because of its high degree of alcohol and distinct bitterness. The brewers’ favourite? “It’s IPA hands down,” says Rahul.  “And I think Navin and Krishna will choose the same too!” Fun fact: The IPA used to be brewed by the British troops who were posted in India during the British Raj.                  

A Cold One

Starting next month, the brewery will deliver these three beers to Bonobo, Woodside Inn and Woodside All Day Bar and Eatery, and hopefully to 10 to 12 more places in the following six months. “We’re being very selective about the restaurants we want to work with—local entrepreneurs are ideal,” adds Rahul. “We’re not looking into tying up with an international chain.” Taprooms (beer tasting rooms) and brewing workshops are also in the works. Cheers to that!

Getting there: MIDC Industrial Area in Dombivali, visit www.gatewaybrewery.com , email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it