There’s no time of the day too odd or season too unfavourable for beer lovers like me. Draught or lager, pint or bottle, or even strong or light—every kind of beer is a treat for the senses. Except, you may start to stack up on those extra calories, and that’s not great news for even the friendliest beer patron. Good thing Bira 91 has tied up with a bunch of fabulous eateries in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru to present a light lunch, perfectly paired with a pint of Bira. And not just any variant, but Bira Light, which is the company’s latest offering and has less than 90 calories a pint (that’s about less than a glass of milk).

To experience this for myself, I visited Fio Cookhouse & Bar in Epicuria, Nehru Place, which, just like the other restaurants participating in the Light Lunch Festival, has its own special menu. And, of course, I had to see how each of the four dishes on offer tasted with the beer. The obvious first choice was the Pepper Garlic Chicken Wings (₹595), which was chunky and zesty. Here the Bira Light, plain like water but refreshing like, well, beer, created a balance in the flavour. Similar was the Tomato Confit Bruschetta (Rs 525); the beer went perfectly with its tomato-backed goodness. Things became even more exciting with the Phylo Tazza and the Pull Chicken Bruschetta (both ₹545). Both were mild in flavour and that meant the beer now presented a unique light and delectable goodness of its own.

A beer-paired light lunch
A beer-paired light lunch

So whether as a harmoniser of flavour, or as a flavour fest of its own, the Bira Light knows itself very well. As for the Light Lunch Fest too, each of the dishes I ate seems to perfectly understand the beer. I really admire this harmony.

INFO
The festival is on up till Sunday, July 9 and is available from 12 to 3pm every day. 50 restaurants are participating, serving 200 unique dishes. 

VENUES IN DELHI
Café Delhi Heights at Vasant Kunj, Saket & R.K. Puram, Le Bistro du Parc and Bonne Bouche at Defence Colony, Café Tonino, Café Immigrant and United Coffee House at Connaught Place, Café 27 at Kailash Colony, Storm Bar near Kailash Colony Metro Station, Fio Cookhouse and Chatter House at Nehru Place, Wok in the Clouds at Rajouri Garden. Qubitos in Rajouri Garden, Soda Bottle Opener Waala in Khan Market, Mahabelly in Saket, Jaimie’s Italian in Vasant Kunj, Jaimie’s Pizzeria in Tagore Garden & Beer Cafe – Biggie in Connaught Place and Saket.