Beer connoisseurs, mixologists on the popularity of the humble brew

It was the drink of choice for the English workman and traces its origins to the 17th century History tells us that the term stout once referred to the high percentage of alcohol in the brew While it was always part of European pub culture it has taken a while for the Indian Subcontinent to accept the stoutIn 2011 the dark drink was given the recognition it deserves with a day to its name Since then the second of every November has been celebrated as International Stout Day It is only apt then that we reach out to beer connoisseurs mixologists and bartenders to delve into the reasons behind its rise in IndiaBrew on the risePic CourtesyPraneel PathankaI feel that itrsquos picking up Usually people think itrsquos dark and bitter and not meant for tropical climates like ours but itrsquos perfect actually for grilled food and BBQs It works really well in our climate Historically the term was used for strong alcoholic beers Stouts have a richbodied complex flavour as compared to ales and lagers They have notes of chocolate coffee and roasted grains The most famous of course are Guinness Irish dry and then you have oatmeal stout milk stout and so on My first experience of a stout was while working at Woodside Inn in Colaba There was a ball inside the Guinness can and I was curious to know why The bacon stout I had at Doolally also changed my perception about itFay Barretto founder Mr Bartender amp The CrewA different experienceI do not recall the first time I tried a stout but it is definitely growing I think there are more stout options coming up and thatrsquos quite interesting as a craft aficionado to see Itrsquos not just one style of stout either There are some nice experiments taking place One of its features is the dark colour of course itrsquos either offputting or appealing A stout is a different kind of beer experience maybe like a good dark chocolate over a regular Rs 20 chocolate bar Itrsquos not so bitter that it might put you off so the next time you head to a brewery ask for a tasteDeepak Gopalakrishnan freelance content strategistPerfect start to an eveningStout is a big draw in international markets but is slowly catching up here as well I always prefer stout or IPA specifically because of the flavour profile If you are out for a light evening you can skip your coffee and opt for a stout As a bartender I often turn to stout for many cocktails It does not stay on your palate for a very long time so it works as something to start your evening with or to end the nightSantosh Kukreti head mixologist Slink amp BardotAn alternative beer choiceI love stout It my love of stout stems from Guinness being the most famous example of the brew It has grown in the last five to 10 years Stout is still consumed as an alternative beer in some ways While it does not match the popularity of witbiers it is still more popular than it was a decade agoNico Goghavala restaurateur and mixologistGet stout on itgtgt The Woodside InnAt Indian Mercantile Mansion opposite Regal Cinema Colaba New Link Plaza near Oshiwara Police Station Andheri West Call 9321728192 Colabagtgt ToitAt Senapati Bapat Marg Mathuradas Mill Compound Lower Parel Call 9324555223gtgt Hapi Beer CoAt Shop 7 and 8 Geliki building ONGC Colony Reclamation Bandra West call 7738443090gtgt Doolally TaproomAt Ram Krishna Nagar Third Road Khar near Fun Republic Andheri West Hiranandani Estate Thane WestCall 9167860275 Khar gtgt Kadak BrewpubAt Third Floor Xperia Mall Palava City Dombivli East Call 8976875999 gtgt Royal Oak BreweryAt Satra Plaza Sector 19D VashiCall 7304699866gtgt British Brewing CompanyAt Plot 126 Mathuradas Mill Compound Lower Parel Oberoi Mall Oberoi Garden City Goregaon East Viviana Mall Thane WestCall 9702649328 Lower Parel