Drink Asia September - October 2019 | Page 40

Interview “A QUESTION STRUCK ME - WHY DOESN’T INDIA HAVE A VARIETY OF CRAFT BEER. THIS MADE ME DETERMINED, AND I CHALLENGED MYSELF THAT I WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE.” Nedabia Ahilya Batra, Editor, Drink Asia, in conversation with Mr. Arundeep Singla, M.D., The Brew Estate, recently sat down for some house brewed beer and special crafted cocktails P lease tell us about your journey and how The Brew Estate started and conceptualized? There is a long span of time and years of planning behind the journey of The Brew Estate. I was in Melbourne, Australia, for my Masters in Finance during the year 2006-8. That time I used to visit the local breweries and pubs, and this was one of the best ways to rejuvenate on the weekends. The environment used to be a relaxing, beautiful ambience, healthy crowd, mind-blowing drinks, and inviting dishes. One day I was enjoying at one of the breweries when a thought struck me. Australia had uncountable microbreweries and pubs; however, India wasn’t didn’t have any. A question struck me - why doesn’t India have a variety of craft beer, beautiful ambience, and services. This made me determined, and I challenged myself that I will make it possible. I returned to India and started my first venture named Rock and Storm Distilleries in 2009. This was an Alco-Bev industry, and it was on full swing within two years. Rock and Storm Distilleries entered the market of Delhi. My first venture was in full swing, and it had 14 brands under it. Some of the leading ones Drink Asia 40 are Dennis Special and Rich & Rare. However, even at this moment, I was not satisfied. It was because the thought to start the microbrewery with a wide variety of craft beer, wonderful ambience, and the rich experience was incomplete. I was determined September-October 2019 to bring uniqueness and innovation in the Brew-Pub industry. And, in 2016, I stepped in the Brew-Pub industry with The Brew Estate sector 26, Chandigarh. T ell us about the success and rise of