Oktoberfest, the month-long festival of beer, is being celebrated all over Germany. Several microbreweries and pubs across Mumbai have joined the bandwagon too, serving up classics and special seasonal brews. Going to Germany or scrambling for a table in local establishments is difficult in the current climate, so it may be a good time to celebrate at home with food, drink, friends and family. 

Why opt for a regular beer when you have the opportunity to experiment? Feel like a mixologist by giving a twist to the chilled drink — make delicious cocktails using plain old beer. This may be a little unorthodox for beer loyalists but Oktoberfest should encourage even purists to let their hair down and try something new.

The High Tide is a beer cocktail made from gin, craft beer and strawberry puree. Photo: The St Regis Mumbai

High Tide by The St Regis Mumbai, Lower Parel
For many, drinking beer is an unadulterated experience. The idea of turning it into a cocktail is a cardinal sin but Kailash Kamble, bar operations manager at The St Regis Mumbai, believes otherwise. He swears by High Tide, a beer cocktail made from gin, craft beer and strawberry puree. “It is a delicious concoction of smooth gin, house made strawberry puree and can be topped with your choice of craft beer,” he explains.