Sip and Celebrate: Simba Beer Champions Craft Culture on International Beer Day

Sip and Celebrate: Simba Beer Champions Craft Culture on International Beer Day

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 6, 2025

Simba Beer invites craft beer enthusiasts to raise a toast to togetherness, conversation, and the spirit of good times this International Beer Day. As India’s leading craft beer brand, Simba has revolutionized the beer landscape with bold, distinctive brews that cater to a diverse range of tastes. Founded in 2016 in Chhattisgarh, Simba has emerged as a pioneering force in the Indian craft beer scene, offering a variety of exceptional brews, including Simba Stout, Simba Wit, Simba Lager, and Simba Strong. From the refreshing, citrusy Simba Wit to the rich, roasted Simba Stout and the bold, full-bodied Simba Strong, each brew reflects the brand’s commitment to quality and innovation.

"Beer isn’t just a drink; it’s a catalyst for connection, conversation, and celebration. This International Beer Day, let’s toast to the joy of togetherness and great times!" said Ishwaraj Singh Bhatia, COO and Co-Founder of Simba Beer. This vision has been central to Simba since its inception, shaping its journey as it builds a thriving community of craft beer lovers across India. With a passion for pushing creative boundaries, Simba’s brews embody the spirit of exploration, offering unique flavors that resonate with beer enthusiasts.

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Beyond brewing, Simba fosters a culture of collaboration and celebration through initiatives like the Simba Uproar festival. This vibrant event showcases underground culture, grassroots talent, and dynamic experiences that bring beer lovers together. This year, the festival introduced FMX (Freestyle Motocross), blending high-energy action with music and craft beer, creating an immersive experience for attendees. Additionally, Simba’s Brew-Off initiative invites independent breweries to collaborate on small-batch experimental brews, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to innovation and community-building.

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As Simba continues to expand across India, it remains dedicated to nurturing its beer-loving community while introducing new and exciting brews. Its portfolio of signature beers reflects a diverse range of tastes - Simba Wit, a hazy Belgian-style wheat beer with refreshing citrus notes, subtle lemongrass hints, and a spice kick from coriander seeds; Simba Stout, India’s first bottled stout with smooth coffee, caramel, and dark chocolate flavors; Simba Lager, a well-balanced brew with rich malt flavors and an aromatic finish; and Simba Strong, a bold and robust lager with a crisp mouthfeel and a perfect balance of roasted flavors and mild sweetness.

With a rebellious spirit and an unwavering commitment to quality, Simba Beer continues to redefine India’s craft beer culture. Rooted in creativity and self-expression, the brand goes beyond brewing, supporting underground music, collaborating with artists, and building a strong creative community. As Simba raises a glass to International Beer Day, it invites beer lovers across the country to celebrate not just the drink, but the connections and experiences that come with it.


ButterBrews Opens New Café in Aundh with Coffee-First Experience

ButterBrews Opens New Café in Aundh with Coffee-First Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 7, 2026

ButterBrews has opened its new outlet in Aundh, marking its largest format café so far. The new space has been designed as an everyday destination, bringing together a comfortable layout, a strong all-day menu, and a clear focus on coffee.

The café has been planned with multiple zones to suit different preferences. It includes an indoor seating area, a non-smoking outdoor section with an amphitheatre-style setup, and a separate smoking zone placed away from the main space to ensure a smooth and relaxed experience for all guests.

The menu offers a premium all-day selection built around fresh ingredients. Guests can choose from breakfast options, healthy bowls, wholesome meals, and vegan dishes, making it suitable for different tastes and dining needs throughout the day.

Coffee continues to be at the heart of the ButterBrews experience. The café uses 100 percent Arabica beans and serves both house blends and manually brewed coffees. It also features guest roasters like Tulum Coffee Roasters and Ground Zero Coffee Roasters, adding variety to its coffee offerings.

Desserts and baked items are prepared in-house at ButterBrews’ bakehouse. Popular choices include the Basque cheesecake and cinnamon rolls, which have already become favourites among guests.

Commenting on the opening, Harsh Agarwal, Co-founder, ButterBrews, said, “ButterBrews, Aundh is our largest format cafe yet. We have built a stronger indoor experience and created clear zones across the cafe so guests can settle in the way they like. We want this to be an address people can count on through the week.”

Umang Bhimrajka, Co-founder, ButterBrews, added, “For us, coffee has always been non-negotiable. With 100 percent Arabica beans, house espresso coffees and manual brews that rotate speciality roasters, we are bringing a program that balances familiarity with discovery. Alongside that, the all-day menu and our bakehouse desserts complete the experience we want to offer Aundh.”


McDonald’s India Brings Back Limited-Edition Sipper with App-Exclusive Meals

McDonald’s India Brings Back Limited-Edition Sipper with App-Exclusive Meals

By Hariharan U

Published on April 7, 2026

McDonald's India – North and East has reintroduced its popular limited-edition Sipper, bringing back the fan-favourite collectible as part of its app-exclusive Super Sipper Meals. The offering follows strong customer demand earlier this year and is available for a limited time across select regions.

Accessible exclusively through the McDonald's App, the Super Sipper Meals can be ordered between 4 PM and 7 PM, adding an element of exclusivity and urgency for customers looking to grab the collectible while stocks last.

The meals are offered in two variants, catering to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian preferences. The Veg option, includes a McAloo Tikki Burger, Medium Fries, Small Coke, and Pizza McPuff. The Non-Veg variant, features a McGrill Burger along with Medium Fries, Small Coke, and Pizza McPuff.

Commenting on the reintroduction, Rajeev Ranjan said the overwhelming response to the earlier launch highlighted customers’ interest in unique and engaging experiences. He added that the brand remains focused on delivering offerings that combine value, taste, and memorable moments.

Operated by Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd., McDonald’s India – North and East continues to strengthen its presence with over 295 restaurants and 190+ McCafé outlets across the region. The brand’s latest offering reflects its ongoing effort to create experience-led promotions that go beyond traditional value meals.

By combining everyday favourites with collectible merchandise, the reintroduced Sipper campaign aims to enhance customer engagement while driving digital adoption through its app ecosystem.


Ambience Mall Gurugram Welcomes CoCo Ichibanya to Its Dining Line-Up

Ambience Mall Gurugram Welcomes CoCo Ichibanya to Its Dining Line-Up

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 7, 2026

CoCo Ichibanya has opened its new outlet at Ambience Mall Gurugram, adding a global flavour to the mall’s growing food and beverage offerings. Located on the third floor, the restaurant spans around 3,000 sq. ft. and can accommodate up to 52 guests.

Founded in 1978 in Japan, CoCo Ichibanya is known as one of the world’s largest Japanese curry chains. The brand is popular for its curry-and-rice dishes, offering a mix of consistency and customisation, allowing diners to personalise their meals based on taste and preference.

The launch is part of Ambience Mall Gurugram’s ongoing effort to strengthen its dining portfolio by bringing in well-known international brands. With this addition, the mall continues to expand its options, offering both everyday dining choices and unique global experiences to visitors.

Speaking on the occasion, Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, said, “Consumer preferences today are evolving towards experiences that feel both authentic and globally relevant. CoCo Ichibanya brings a strong international identity along with an offering that is approachable and versatile. At Ambience Mall, our focus remains on curating a balanced and contemporary mix, and this addition further strengthens that direction.”

With the opening of CoCo Ichibanya, Ambience Mall Gurugram further builds its position as a destination that blends retail with curated dining and lifestyle experiences, catering to a modern and globally aware audience.

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