Lower Parel has a new brewery that offers a mixed bag of food and six craft beers
Milky way
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Lower Parel seems to be the hotspot for micro breweries, be it the very first that Mumbai saw back in 2013 to the latest entrant, Drifters Brewing Co. We decide to visit the bar on a weekday and instantly like the vibe. The interiors have a touch of vintage (a solo neon sign, wood panelled bar) and huge glass windows — good enough to balance the done-to-death use of exposed brick, which is restricted to the outer section. We settle in next to the windows and quickly order a beer taster that includes all of their brews.
Bacon pita sliders
First up is Bavaria, a cloudy beer that is surprisingly light on the palate and has a smooth body. Next, the Belgian-style witbier has a subtle flavour of orange peel which we like, but it might be fruity for those who prefer a strong hop flavour. We aren’t fans of pilsners but Charles the pils impresses with a smooth bitterness that envelopes our mouth after a sip.
Coco cink
Love potion cider is an average apple cider, but we fall for the Milky Way cream stout that has a delicious mix of chocolate and coffee notes and a foamy head that we can’t have enough of. The cricket ale is a pale ale that is a tad sour for our liking, but a good light ale for boisterous drinking sessions.
Baklava with vanilla scoop
We call for a mug of Milky Way (Rs.260) and croquette de arroz (Rs.325) and almond and spinach wrap (Rs.350). Both appetisers arrive in generous portions. The croquettes are chunky brown rice balls made with cheese, onion, mushroom and topped with pomodoro sauce that adds a good punch of tang and heat to the dish. The wraps are just a tip above average with a stuffing of lettuce and spinach, and a measly crunch of almonds and sweet raisins. They don’t have beer cocktails, so we try coco cink (Rs.475) a sweet, tasty blend of guava, coconut and gin.
The bacon pita sliders (Rs.355) are dull and cry for a better pita bread. The thin crust chicken pesto (Rs.495) pizza hits the right notes with just the perfect amount of cheese and fresh pesto boost. From the mains, we pick pasta Sicilia (Rs.375), which according to the menu is supposed to be a spinach and ricotta stuffed ravioli. But we are served a boring penne in white sauce instead. We skip the Mediterranean mains and hit straight for dessert; baklava with vanilla scoop (Rs.215) which is a good (expensive) attempt but the filo pastry can be better.
Croquette de arroz; almond and spinach wrap. Pics/Dhara Vora Sabhnani
Except for the pasta gaffe, the service is quick and attentive (they even hand us fridge magnets with the artwork of our beer of choice) and the interiors are perfect for a post-work beer. We will surely go back for the stout and the wheat beer. All Drifters needs to do is up its food game to stay adrift in the Kamala Mills race.
Time: 4 pm to 12.30 am
At: First floor, Trade View Building, Kamala Mills Compound, Lower Parel.
Call: 30151619
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