Although generally left unmentioned on your typical top ten places to visit in India before you die-type of list, Pune has been a popular tourist destination for centuries.
Pune is a thriving metropolis with more than 7 million inhabitants. Its relatively cool climate and wealth of historical sites, religious monuments, museums, parks, and local delicacies continue to draw visitors from near and far.
For those unfamiliar with the city’s burgeoning craft scene, beer is seldom considered one of these delicacies. With the aid of this here guide, you will be able to experience exactly why it should be.
Pune: A Brief Intro
Pune is located some 100 km south-east of Mumbai, on the Deccan plateau. The old city is built around where the Mula and Mutha rivers merge. A sprawling complex of industrial suburbs, bordered by the Western Ghats, completes the bustling cityscape.
Owing to its historical significance as the seat of the Peshwas (prime ministers) of the Maratha empire from 1674 to 1818, the city is considered the cultural capital of modern-day Maharashtra.
For instance, given its rich literary past, the Pune dialect forms the basis for the written standard of Marathi. Additionally, Pune is home to the grand Aga Khan Palace. Built in 1892, the site now serves as a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, whose ashes are preserved in the garden.
Furthermore, the city is a major educational centre widely referred to as the “Oxford of the East”. The constant stream of fresh graduates has contributed to its rise as one of India’s largest IT hubs. Moreover, Pune is one of the country’s most important automobile and manufacturing centres.
In many respects, Pune is a prime example of the bewildering blend of tradition and modernity that defines India. Spiritualism, capitalism, and colonial-era mementoes are all omnipresent, but not to the overwhelming degree as in, say, Mumbai or Delhi. This has led Pune to be ranked as India’s most liveable city on several occasions.
Craft Beer in India
The dynamic nature of Indian society inevitably reflects on its craft beer scene too. The scene’s posterchild, Bira91, was launched in 2015 and quickly became a viral sensation. The company’s sales rocketed from 150,000 to 700,000 cases within two years; demand was so high, they were almost always out of stock.
Others followed suit, drawn to the hype like moths to a flame. All of a sudden, in a country with an annual per capita beer consumption of just 4.6 litres (compared to the Asian average of 57 litres), craft beer brands started appearing left, right, and centre.
Then, along came the pandemic and the subsequent liquor ban. As the vast majority of Indian craft brewers were small players who had barely found their bearings in the industry, many could not bear the financial implications of this drastic turn of events.
Those that succeeded in weathering the storm currently find themselves grappling with inflation. Certain key ingredients and materials – barley and glass in particular – have skyrocketed in price, rendering large-scale production less viable.
What’s more, the pricing of liquor is state-regulated. This means brewers run the risk of becoming entangled in red tape when seeking approval for price hikes. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg – we haven’t even gotten to the headache of going pan-India yet!
In spite of the long list of obstacles preventing many microbreweries from reaching their full potential, craft beer is still gaining popularity. This trend is perceivable in more ways than one.
For starters, it has become increasingly common for local pubs to brew their beers in-house. In addition, larger producers are more inclined to be contented with a lead role in their local markets. This grassroots-centred approach is also being nurtured in Pune, as the following sections shall reveal.
Craft Beer in Pune
Years before Bira91 burst onto the national scene, multiple modern craft breweries had already been established in Pune. The city is the cradle of Doolally, one of India’s first micro-breweries, which opened a taproom on home turf as early as 2009.
Since then, Pune has become widely regarded as an epicentre of craft beer in India alongside Bangalore. There are several factors that enabled this phenomenon to unravel.
First and foremost, the locals were quick to hop on the bandwagon and show support of Pune-based brewing initiatives. Being relatively educated, prosperous, and worldly by Indian standards, many of the city’s residents have spent time living abroad. Some have returned home nothing short of inspired by beer cultures elsewhere on earth and made active contributions to the further development of the Pune craft scene. Most have developed a taste for beer, at the very least!
Secondly, some of Pune’s trade-based educational institutions offer brewing and distilling courses. Hence, there is always a fresh batch of graduates jumping at the opportunity of putting their knowledge into practice. This also helps keep the craft beer scene in motion.
Moreover, the laws of the state of Maharashtra that pertain to brewing have become increasingly flexible in recent years. One recent example is the legalisation of canning, as described in an article published by Asia Brewers Network.
From its pleasant climate to its cultural heritage, its culinary delights to its craft beer scene, a chance to visit Pune should never be turned down. And while you are there, be sure to check out the various craft beer venues listed below!
Pune Craft Beer Directory
Click on any venue listed below for more information, or scroll through the rest of this page to review Beer Asia’s directory of craft beer venues in Pune (in no particular order):
Craft Beer Venues in Pune
Kimaya Beer Station
Meaning “divine” or “miracle” in both Marathi and Hindi, Kimaya Brewing Company was started by two brothers and a business partner. Hailing from a restaurant background, the brothers also tried their hand at homebrewing during an extended stay in the U.S. They took their new hobby home with them and continued working hard to refine their brewing skills.
The fruits of these labours—including the newly released, Aam Panna-inspired Kairi Sour—are available in 1-litre PET growlers at the Kimaya Beer Station and via the brewery’s webshop.
- Address
58, Karve Rd, Jhala Co-Op Housing Society, Sheela Vihar Colony, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Follow on Instagram
- Operating hours
11AM – 10PM daily
Great State Aleworks
Founded in 2017, Great State Aleworks is regarded as one of India’s most experimental, collaborative, and community-oriented breweries.
What started as tentative attempts at homebrewing in student digs in Brooklyn, New York, has evolved into a fast-growing venture with an inspired founder and three professional brewers at the helm.
Juicy IPAs, tangy sours and millet ales form the backbone of the brewery’s range, currently available in over 50 bars and restaurants in Pune, Mumbai, and Goa. Moreover, Great State Aleworks is one of the first Indian craft breweries to export its beers.
Considering that it may still take a while before these brews are made available at an outlet near you, be sure to swing by their rooftop brewpub the next time you find yourself in Pune!
- Address
Rooftop, Power Plaza, Lane No. 7, Koregaon Park, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Call +91 98190 48008
- Visit Website
- Like on Facebook
- Follow on Instagram
- Check-in on Untappd
Effingut Brewerkz
Another OG from the pre-hype era, Effingut opened its first brewpub in Koregaon Park in 2014. A decade on, after successfully navigating the tide of the Indian craft beer revolution and plunge into the abyss that followed, the brewery runs a total of 12 locations nationwide.
Apart from opening brewpubs in Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi, the Effingut Bistro and Effingut 2 Go chains were launched in 2020. The latter is India’s first retail chain that offers craft beer for takeaway at half a dozen growler stations in Pune and Mumbai.
The Effingut range consists of no less than 20 beers, ciders, and meads. All these brews are handcrafted and fresh; they do not contain any preservatives, chemicals or artificial additives. Staples on offer across all outlets include an unfiltered Hefeweizen, a Kölsch, and a Mango Cider.
Brews aside, Effingut also strives to provide an unforgettable dining experience. Unique food and beer pairings are served at all brewpubs and bistros, and snacks are available at the various growler stations too.
Koregaon Park (Brewpub)
- Address
Plot No. 389, Serene Bay, No. 21/A, Lane No. 6, Ashok Chakra Society, Meera Nagar, Koregaon Park, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Call +91 76200 38888
- Visit Website
- Like on Facebook
- Follow on Instagram
- Check-in on Untappd
- Operating hours
12PM – 1:30AM daily
Camp (Effingut Bistro)
- Address
East Street, next to वंडरलैंड, Camp, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Call +91 85964 06809
- Visit Website
- Operating hours
11AM – 12AM daily
Balewadi (Effingut Bistro)
- Address
HQ9G+272, Balewadi High St, Laxman Nagar, Baner, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Call +91 76200 38888
- Visit Website
- Operating hours
12PM – 1:30AM daily
Wanowrie (Effingut 2 Go)
- Address
Salunkhe Vihar Shop No 9,Ground Floor, Girme Heights Wing B, Survey No 62/12, Wanowrie, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Call +91 76200 38888
- Operating hours
10AM – 10PM daily
Kothrud (Effingut 2 Go)
- Address
Starbucks, Kothrud Fountain Head Apartment, opposite BLOCK-2, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Call +91 76200 38888
- Operating hours
10AM – 10PM daily
Doolally
A comfortable, convivial taproom in the upscale (pet-friendly!) KOPA Mall that features board games, power sockets for digital nomads and a great range of craft beers, ciders and meads from Maharashtra’s first microbrewery. Offering a solid selection of Asian and Indian cuisine, the venue also hosts a range of events from quiz nights to drawing and calligraphy classes.
The brewery’s name stems from the town of Deolali, pronounced Doolally by the British. A popular hill station and health resort located in inner Maharashtra, Deolali houses numerous large sanatoriums. The phrase “going doolally” thus refers to losing one’s mind.
- Address
2nd Floor, KOPA Mall, Village, Mundhwa Rd, Koregaon Park Annexe, Ghorpadi, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Visit Website
- Like on Facebook
- Check-in on Untappd
- Operating hours
11AM – 12AM daily
The 1st Brewhouse
Quite possibly the very first brewhouse in the land, this brewery started making waves as early as 2009 with the release of an immensely popular Apple Cider. Its seasonal ciders, especially the Indian blueberry and strawberry variants, continue to be a hit to this day.
What’s more, these brews are served on the grounds of a 5 star luxury resort. A range of beers by Doolally are also on offer. So go ahead, be kind to yourself and splurge a little – put it on the company card, if you must!
- Address
Annex, The Corinthians, Ground Floor, Nyati County NIBM, South, Mohammed Wadi, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Call +91 83789 57746
- Like on Facebook
- Follow on Instagram
- Operating hours
12PM – 1AM daily
Independence Brewing Company
A true pioneer of the Pune craft beer scene, Independence Brewing Co. has been a household name since 2011. The brewery’s original locale in Mundhwa was a must-visit for all craft beer lovers in town for years on end. Now that it has closed down, the action has shifted elsewhere – to Maharashtra’s first beer garden, no less!
Covering over 1300 m2 of floorspace, the Kalyani Nagar brewpub was designed to offer local craft beer lovers an international drinking experience. IBC’s other brewpub in Pune, located on Balewadi High Street in the heart of the city’s IT district, caters to the young techies crowding its streets and offices. Two brewpubs have been opened in Mumbai as well.
With over 200 beers released since the brewery’s establishment, the folks at IBC remain unapologetically experimental. Current top sellers include the likes of Oryza Lager (rice lager) and the Malt Blended Strawberry Graf, a cider fermented with locally sourced strawberries.
IBC Kalyani Nagar
- Address
16/1, Mulik Palace, Wadgaon Sheri Rd, opposite Trump Towers, Kalyani Nagar, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Call +91 91564 92337
- Visit Website
- Like on Facebook
- Follow on Instagram
- Check-in on Untappd
- Operating hours
12PM – 1:30AM daily
IBC Balewadi
- Address
Park Grandeur, SHOP NO.14 & 15, S. NO.19, Balewadi High St, Balewadi, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Call +91 91569 32337
- Operating hours
12PM – 1:30AM daily
Babylon Craft Brewery
Next, we have Maharashtra’s largest brewery in terms of capacity. The folks at Babylon can produce a whopping 30,000 litres of their in-house brews – including a Puneri Lager, Hefeweizen, Belgian Wit, Oatmeal Stout, and Apple Cider – per year.
Another rooftop gem, Babylon’s sixth-storey brewpub has also gained critical acclaim for its outstanding Indian, Asian and Italian cuisine. Enough beer to get you through a lifetime and good food to boot – what more could you possibly want?
- Address
6th Floor, House Of Nosh, CTS 1365, Gulawani Maharaj Road, Swaroop Society, Vakil Nagar, Erandwane, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Call +91 70309 33061
- Like on Facebook
- Follow on Instagram
- Check-in on Untappd
- Operating hours
11AM – 12AM daily
Malaka Spice
Malaka Spice is a standout Southeast Asian-inspired restaurant in Pune, with an excellent range of food and beverage choices, including craft beers and meads. The venue is well-known amongst locals for its comfortable outdoor seating and excellent Malaysian-themed lunches. Our correspondents also found it perfect for nursing a hangover.
- Address
GVPW+VRH Siddharth Chambers Lane, off North Main Road, Koregaon Park, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Call +91 75070 11226
- Like on Facebook
- Follow on Instagram
- Operating hours
11:30AM – 12:30AM daily
Moonshine Meadery
Should you have the time and opportunity, a short outing to nearby Pirangut is highly recommendable. Located 25 km west of Pune’s city centre, the sleepy provincial town is the home base of Asia’s first meadery.
Up and running since 2018, Moonshine Meadery is on a mission to expose current and future generations to the versatility of the oldest drink on record. Besides the traditional, multifloral honey mead, Moonshine’s range of brews also encompasses Guava Chili, Grilled Pineapple, Chocolate Orange, and over half a dozen more.
Additionally, tours of “The Hive” – as the Moonshine facilities are more commonly known – are conducted on Sundays. Participants must register in advance, so be sure to sign up online before making the trek out into the sticks!
- Address
Ronin Wines, Old Lotus Factory Plot No 7, near PIBM College, Pirangut, Maharashtra 412115 - Open location on Google Maps
- Call +91 77458 48660
- Visit Website
- Like on Facebook
- Check-in on Untappd
- Operating hours
Sunday: 12PM – 7PM
Monday – Saturday: Closed
Oi Brewing Company
To conclude, a special feature. Oi Brewing Co. is a collective from Pune that looks set to become the newest addition to the city’s long list of illustrious brewers. On a mission to make craft beer more approachable to those unfamiliar with the concept, the brewery is equally intent on minimising its environmental footprint whilst doing so.
With its production facilities located in Palshi, some 30 km south of Pune, Oi Brewing Co. will be opening up a brewhouse in Kalyani Nagar soon. Be sure to watch this space for updates on that!
- Address
Unnamed Road, Palshi, Maharashtra 412801 - Open location on Google Maps
- Visit Website
- Follow on Instagram
- Check-in on Untappd
- Operating hours
10AM – 6PM daily
Downpour
Courtesy of Oi Brewing Company, and keeping in line with its sustainability goals, Downpour is India’s largest growler station. With 30 beers on tap, you may very well find yourself spoiled for choice. All the more reason to keep on coming back, as far as we’re concerned!
- Address
Shop no. 14, Primrose The Mall, Baner, below Clan Fitness Club, Baner, Pune - Open location on Google Maps
- Call +91 91750 95539
- Visit Website
- Like on Facebook
- Follow on Instagram
- Operating hours
10AM – 10PM daily
