Bira 91 and New Belgium Brewing Launch 'Chutney Sour' Beer, A Fusion of Indian and American Craft

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 24, 2024

In an exciting cross-continental collaboration, Bira 91, India's leading name in craft beer, has joined forces with New Belgium Brewing, a trailblazer in the American craft brewing scene, to launch a unique beer that's sure to intrigue beer aficionados and culinary adventurers alike. Dubbed 'Chutney Sour', this innovative brew is a nod to the rich culinary heritage of India and the craft beer innovation Colorado is known for.

'Chutney Sour' isn't just any beer; it's a creative concoction that marries the tangy, complex flavours of tamarind – a staple in Indian chutneys and curries – with the brewing excellence of a Belgian-style Dubbel, a signature of New Belgium Brewery. This fusion beer made its much-anticipated debut in the taprooms of both companies, with Bira 91 hosting the launch in Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR, India, and New Belgium welcoming beer lovers in Fort Collins, Colorado.

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The timing of the release couldn't be more perfect, aligning with the vibrant Indian Spring festival of Holi, known for its lively celebrations and splash of colours. The 'Chutney Sour' aims to add a splash of flavour to the festivities, offering a unique taste experience that stands out in the craft beer landscape.

Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO of Bira 91, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "We’re thrilled to collaborate with New Belgium Brewing. The idea of combining a Belgian Sour Ale with Tamarind to create a 'Chutney Sour' started as a wild thought but ended up as a stroke of genius. We believe this limited release will be a delightful surprise for everyone who tries it."

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This special brew is a result of a single brewing cycle and will be available exclusively in the taprooms of Bira 91 and New Belgium Brewing until the last drop is savoured. Beer lovers and curious tasters are encouraged to make their way to these locations to experience the 'Chutney Sour' while it lasts.

This collaboration not only showcases the innovative spirit of Bira 91 and New Belgium Brewing but also highlights the potential for creative fusion in the craft beer industry, bridging flavours and traditions from different corners of the world. 'Chutney Sour' is more than just a beer; it's a celebration of culture, innovation, and the joy of discovery.


Sheraton Grand Bangalore Introduces FOMO Sunday Brunch at Horizon

Sheraton Grand Bangalore Introduces FOMO Sunday Brunch at Horizon

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 30, 2026

Sundays at Horizon, the Pan-Asian rooftop restaurant at Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway, now come with a new reason to stay a little longer. The hotel has introduced FOMO, its signature Sunday brunch experience, bringing together Pan-Asian flavours, free-flowing pours, commercial retro music and panoramic views of Bengaluru.

Located 31 floors above the city, FOMO is designed as a relaxed afternoon where guests can enjoy good food, drinks and music while taking in the changing cityscape. The experience revolves around four elements — Flavour. Overpour. Music. Over the City.

The food offering features a curated Pan-Asian set menu served to the table, with sushi, sashimi, dim sum, bao, Asian grills and wok-fired specialties. Alongside the food, guests can enjoy unlimited champagne and cocktails, while the music gradually picks up through the afternoon. As the afternoon moves towards sunset, Horizon's rooftop setting adds another part to the experience, with wide views across Bengaluru and the city skyline providing the backdrop.

FOMO is positioned for different kinds of Sunday plans, whether it is a birthday celebration, a long lunch with friends, a family gathering, a girls' afternoon or simply a relaxed Sunday spent over good food and drinks. The four-hour brunch runs from 1 pm to 5 pm, giving guests the freedom to settle in and enjoy the menu and free-flowing pours at their own pace.

For guests who want to continue into the evening, FOMO: Sky After Dark offers an extended experience from 5 pm to 7 pm. The sundowner brings together cocktails, sparkling pours, music and the city lights at Horizon.

  • FOMO Brunch: 1 pm – 5 pm
  • FOMO: FOMO Sundowner: 5 pm – 7 pm.

Kura Opens in Indiranagar with Specialty Coffee and All-Day Dining

Kura Opens in Indiranagar with Specialty Coffee and All-Day Dining

By Hariharan U

Published on August 29, 2026

Kura, a new specialty coffee and all-day dining destination, has opened its first outlet on Double Road in Indiranagar, Bengaluru, bringing together an experimental coffee programme, an in-house bakery and pâtisserie, and a kitchen influenced by French technique and Japanese precision.

Spread across approximately 3,000 sq. ft., Kura is the first venture by entrepreneurs Kiran Vijayakumar and Prajwal Venugopal, who spent nearly two years learning coffee, travelling across coffee-growing regions, training behind the espresso bar and earning Specialty Coffee Association certifications before opening the café.

Operating from 8 AM to 11 PM, Kura is designed as an all-day destination where specialty coffee, fresh bakes and a full dining menu come together under one roof.

The name Kura comes from the Japanese word for a storehouse, reflecting the founders' philosophy of creating a space that carefully preserves and showcases what matters most. The concept extends this thinking to coffee, food and hospitality, with an emphasis on craft, precision and quality.

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Kura's coffee programme begins in the Bababudangiri hills of Chikkamagaluru, one of India's historic coffee-growing regions. Its house blend combines Kent and SLN9 Arabica beans, naturally processed and medium roasted, with tasting notes of dark chocolate, jaggery and toasted nuts.

The manual brew bar expands the selection with coffees sourced from the Northeast, Himalayan foothills, Koraput, Araku and the Western Ghats, alongside beans from international roasters.

The beverage programme also explores techniques that are still relatively uncommon in Indian cafés. These include clarified milk for crystal-clear coffee drinks, alcohol-free syrups inspired by bourbon and rum, flavoured whipped creams and Frost, a smoother interpretation of cold brew.

The programme has been developed with inputs from World Barista Championship judges and coffee educators, reflecting Kura's focus on technical precision and experimentation.

One of Kura's distinctive offerings is its weekly Coffee Omakase, a fixed-course experience inspired by Japan's omakase tradition and adapted around coffee.

Guests are guided through a sequence beginning with a single espresso before moving through a Cold Foam Cloud, Frost blend and one of Kura's signature mocktails. Each course is prepared and served by the barista at the counter.

The beverage menu further explores coffee through drinks such as No. 8 Ember, Yuzu Mirage and Cafe Libra. Coffee-based mocktails use the café's alcohol-free bourbon and rum-style syrups, while creations such as Biscoff Cloud and Earl Grey Bloom bring dessert-inspired flavours into the coffee experience.

"Everything we loved in the cafés of Japan and Southeast Asia, we wanted to bring home, but built on Indian coffee, from the hills where it all began," said Prajwal Venugopal, Co-founder, Kura.

French Technique Meets Japanese Precision

Beyond coffee, Kura's kitchen follows an approach that combines French culinary techniques with Japanese precision. The in-house bakery produces fresh pastries every morning, while the kitchen operates throughout the day across breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The menu includes Turkish Eggs, Ricotta & Roasted Fig Toast, Spaghetti Arrabbiata with a burrata dollop, Buttered Baked Seabass and Grilled New Zealand Lamb Rack.

The pâtisserie counter adds another dimension, featuring French-style bakes and entremets designed to visually resemble the fruit or flavour they represent.

Kura's interiors follow a minimal and warm design philosophy rather than an overtly decorative approach. Cane-backed chairs, dark stone tabletops and custom-made crockery create a relaxed setting, while an interlocking pattern across the walls and packaging reflects the idea of individual elements coming together.

The café's design philosophy is described as "designed, not decorated," with each element intended to create a comfortable environment where guests can spend time beyond their meal or coffee.

Two Years Behind the Concept

The founders' journey began well before Kura opened. Vijayakumar and Venugopal spent nearly two years visiting coffee estates in Chikkamagaluru, learning roasting, training behind espresso bars and completing SCA certifications in barista skills, brewing, sensory analysis and roasting.

Their travels through Japan, Bali, Thailand and Singapore also influenced Kura's approach to café culture, hospitality and design.

"We didn't want to open a café and then learn coffee. We spent two years doing it the other way around; the estates, the roasting, the SCA certifications, working the bar ourselves. Kura is what we built once we felt we had earned it," said Kiran Vijayakumar, Co-founder, Kura.

As Bengaluru's specialty coffee culture continues to evolve, Kura enters the market with a proposition that brings coffee, food and pâtisserie together as a complete all-day experience. With its focus on in-house preparation, experimental beverages and a slower approach to café culture, the new Indiranagar destination aims to offer guests a space designed for everything from a quick espresso to an extended meal.

Restaurant Details:

Venue: Kura, Craig Park Layout, 26, Stage 3, Double Road, Indiranagar, Bengaluru
Timings: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Monday–Sunday
Website: www.kuracafe.in
Instagram: @kuracafe.in

About Kura:

Kura is a specialty coffee and all-day dining destination in Bengaluru built around the belief that a café can hold itself to the same standards as a fine-dining kitchen. The café serves specialty coffee, fresh pastries, breakfast, pasta, grills and desserts throughout the day, creating a space designed for guests to stay, dine and connect.


Hocco Ice Cream and Mirzapur: The Movie Launch Bullet-Shaped Ice Cream

Hocco Ice Cream and Mirzapur: The Movie Launch Bullet-Shaped Ice Cream

By Hariharan U

Published on August 29, 2026

Hocco Ice Creams has partnered with Mirzapur: The Movie to bring one of the franchise's most recognisable symbols, the Bullet, to life in an unexpected new form — ice cream.

Ahead of the film's theatrical release, the collaboration introduces the Hocco × Mirzapur Bullet Ice Cream, a bullet-shaped ice cream that combines the pop-culture identity of the Mirzapur franchise with Hocco's approach to unconventional product formats.

The collaboration brings together two brands known for creating distinctive cultural experiences. While Mirzapur has developed a strong pop-culture following through its larger-than-life characters, memorable dialogues and recognisable visual identity, Hocco has continued to experiment with new formats and concepts in the ice cream category.

The Bullet Ice Cream offers a playful interpretation of one of the franchise's signature visual elements, translating it into a food product designed around entertainment and pop-culture engagement.

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Commenting on the collaboration, Ankit Chona, Founder, Hocco Ice Creams, said, "At Hocco, we've always believed that the most exciting ice creams are the ones that make you stop, look twice and say, 'I need to try that.' Bullet takes that belief a step further by bringing together the cult world of Mirzapur and our obsession with creating unexpected ice cream experiences."

He added that the product reflects Hocco's interest in creating culture-led innovations that combine entertainment with unconventional ice cream experiences.

Vishal Ramchandani, CEO, Excel Entertainment, said, "Mirzapur has always had a distinct flavour of its own, and Hocco shares that same bold, irreverent spirit. This association is a fun way of taking the world of Mirzapur beyond the screen and bringing it into people's everyday lives."

The Bullet Ice Cream features chocolate ice cream covered with a chocolate coating. It is available in a pack of five at an MRP of ₹100 and will be sold through quick commerce platforms and general trade.

The product launch comes ahead of the theatrical release of Mirzapur: The Movie on September 4, 2026. Presented by Amazon MGM Studios and Excel Entertainment, the film is directed by Gurmmeet Singh and written by Puneet Krishna. It is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar under Excel Entertainment and co-produced by Kassim Jagmagia and Vishal Ramchandani.

The Bullet Ice Cream is positioned as an entertainment-led creative interpretation inspired by the fictional world of the Mirzapur franchise. Hocco has clarified that the product is not intended as an endorsement of violence and that the brand stands for non-violence.

About Hocco Ice Cream

HOCCO is a modern Indian ice cream brand created by the Chona family, combining legacy expertise with contemporary product innovation. The brand focuses on quality ingredients, inventive formats and a robust supply chain as it develops new ice cream experiences for Indian consumers.

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