30-Second takeaway: A Bangalore brewpub that wows with its size and scale, serving up craft beers and experimental cocktails and Indian and global food. It’s a particular hit with corporate groups.
Concept: Size matters here and there’s concentrated focus on the ‘Byg’ aspect of this brewpub. It’s the second outlet of the brand after the rocking success that is Byg Brewski in Sarjapur. The vastness of scale is evident in everything from the space to the number of themed areas, the size of the brewing facility and the scope of the menu.
Location & Setting: An enterprise of this size cannot hope to serve just the neighbourhood. But it’s not a given that Byg Brewski has what it takes to become a destination brewpub and attract customers from other parts of Bangalore who’ll brave the traffic to get here. Those who do come here are bound to be blown away at first glance by the sheer drama that has been woven into the setting. There is the waterbody at the centre – a Byg Brewski feature now — and an amphitheatre-like arrangement for seating. A high-voltage clubbing space is also part of the cluster of spaces.
Food: Indian food of the generic sort, hyper-local Karnataka dishes and food from across the globe – Asian, Italian, grills – make up the eclectic menu. The signature bar snack is the Karari Roti, a roomali roti cooked to a crisp and smeared with masala, a more-ish thing for a group to break up and share. Offerings such as kebab platter, mezze platter and dimsum platter are also designed for large tables. There are other brewpub standards like wings, nachos and fries. Alongside the Creole Chicken Burgers and Burnt Garlic Fried Rice, there’s a ‘Proudly Indian’ section listing Ragi Mudde, Kerala Mutton Ishtu and an excellent, authentic Signature Nati Koli. There’s a much-touted Josper grill in the kitchen, but the meats cooked in it are unexceptional. There’s a lot of emphasis on corporate packages which include alcohol, starters and main course. Byg Brewski at Hennur has a long, even unwieldy menu. It certainly puts pressure on consistently delivering quality.
Drink: If new age cocktails are your thing, then the Byg Brewski bar delivers. Purists may find the concoctions over the top. So, whether you like Lemon Cheesecake –vodka, lemon liqueur, yogurt and vanilla syrup – depends on your taste. The bar is well-stocked with excellent single malts and a wide collection of wine labels. The craft beers are yet to be served.
Service: When the place is packed, service can be tardy. Blame it on the size of this brewpub.
Aced this: The breathtaking scale of the place that is a talking point and the capacity to be an entertainment zone, not just a brewpub.
Not this: Some of the dishes fall short of exceptional and some cocktail combinations don’t work.
