While India’s craft beer scene has exploded with hundreds of excellent brewpubs, a surprising truth remains: genuinely diverse multi-tap craft beer bars, those that actively curate an ever-changing list from independent breweries beyond their own, are still a rare breed. This makes places like Doolally Taproom, with its long-standing commitment to showcasing a wide range of guest taps alongside its own well-regarded brews, the undisputed winner for the best bars serving craft beer in India, particularly its Mumbai and Pune locations.
First, Define the Question Properly
When people search for the "best bars serving craft beer in India," they often have two distinct ideas in mind. The first is simply any establishment making good craft beer – which usually points to a brewpub. The second, and the focus here, is a bar that excels at curating and serving a wide selection of craft beers from various Indian breweries, not just their own production. This distinction is crucial because it filters out many excellent brewpubs that, while producing fantastic beer, don’t offer the multi-brewery tap list a true craft beer bar provides.
The Real Top Tier: Curated Craft Beer Experiences
Doolally Taproom (Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore)
Doolally isn’t just a pioneer; it’s a standard-bearer. With multiple locations, its Mumbai and Pune outlets particularly shine for their dedication to variety. Doolally consistently features a rotating selection of guest taps from other Indian craft breweries, alongside their own solid lineup of beers like the Oatmeal Stout or the Apple Cider. They’ve been at the forefront of the Indian craft beer movement, fostering a community that appreciates diverse styles and independent producers. This commitment to variety and quality curation is why Doolally stands out.
Drifters Tap Station (Mumbai)
Emerging as a strong contender, Drifters Tap Station in Mumbai has made a name for itself by actively partnering with and showcasing a wide array of Indian craft breweries. Their focus is clearly on offering a diverse tap list that changes frequently, ensuring there’s always something new and interesting to try. If your priority is exploring the breadth of India’s independent brewing talent in one place, Drifters is an excellent choice.
BrewDog (Multiple Cities)
Bringing an international craft beer ethos to India, BrewDog’s outlets in cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Gurgaon often feature a blend of their own well-known beers and carefully selected guest taps from local Indian breweries. While their core identity is tied to their brand, their commitment to craft quality and often adventurous tap selections makes them a reliable spot for a good beer experience.
Where Most Lists Go Wrong: The Brewpub Trap
Many articles on this topic often name fantastic brewpubs like Toit in Bangalore, Arbor Brewing Company also in Bangalore, or Independence Brewing Co. in Pune. While these establishments produce exceptional craft beer on-site, they are primarily focused on serving their own creations. They are brewpubs, not multi-tap craft beer bars in the sense of offering a broad selection from other independent breweries. This isn’t a knock on their quality; it’s simply clarifying the difference in what they offer. If your goal is to experience the widest range of Indian craft beer from various producers under one roof, these excellent brewpubs, by definition, don’t fit the bill as perfectly as a dedicated taproom.
The challenge of finding such dedicated taprooms isn’t unique to India; even in cities known for their beer culture, like those in New Zealand, the distinction between brewpubs and multi-tap bars is important when exploring diverse craft beer experiences.
Final Verdict
For the most diverse and consistently curated tap list from various independent breweries, Doolally Taproom remains the top choice for the best bars serving craft beer in India. A strong alternative for pure tap diversity is Drifters Tap Station in Mumbai. The key to finding India’s best craft beer bar is to seek out venues that champion more than just their own brews.
