Whiskey is risky: Top 5 Whiskey’s in Goa under Rupees 1200/-

These 750 ml babies are a pure delight. They might be classy, but when overdone can be a tad risky. Made from frain mash which is malted and used for different varieties including barley, corn, rye and wheat. It’s aged in wooden casks and made of charred white oak.

This is one of the few things in today’s world that gets better with age. There will always be a never ending debate as to how exactly to consume your whiskey. I say, put ice, mix water, cold drinks lime whatever you want. As long as you enjoy the drink, it should do no one any harm. Tourists main purpose of visiting Goa whether one accepts it or not is the cheap pricing of alcohol.

Here’s a list of my favourite whiskey’s under rupees 1200:

#5. Seagram’s 100 Pipers

This treat is a blended Scotch Whiskey. Its origin is in Scotland, but today it is bottled everywhere possible. 42.8% abv. The bottling is rather unique and something one can stare at for quite a while whilst sipping on the whiskey.  Little less known fact, it was earlier produced by the Chivas brothers and eventually sold to Seagram’s in 1949. Priced at Rupees 1000/- a bottle, this should definitely be on ones things to try out list.

  
#4. Black & White

Another blended Scotch whiskey, and no prizes for guessing the origin as well. Yes, Scotland. Extremely easy on the tongue, this whiskey can be sipped neat without a struggle. 42.8% abv, the green bottles are rather catchy. The logo features a black Scottish terrier and a white West Highland white terrier hence the concept of black and white. Priced at 1140 Indian Rupees you will know its worth after having a good drinking session with your buddies. Absolutely no hangover if stuck to the same drink.

#3. Antiquity Blue

Indian whiskey and bottled in India itself, this beauty is fairly new in the scene. Established in 1992, with 42.8% of alcohol by volume, the blue bottle looks extremely gorgeous beyond words. The pricing at rupees 600 is fairly justifiable as well. An accolade for this whiskey was receiving the silver best in class in the spirits tasting competition held at Las Vegas by the Wine and Spirit Wholesalers of America (WSWA).

  
#2. Vat 69

I think for any company to click, all you need to do is add a 69 to its name. Automatic success guaranteed. Despite its name, this is not a vatted malt, but a blend of 40 malt and grain whiskies. It’s a Scotch blended whiskey with 40% abv and originated way back in 1882. The bottling however never changed for the first hundred years, later on modifications were made in comparison to its bulbous design.

 

#1. Rockford Reserve 

I should probably be the brand ambassador and do PR for this drink. The number of bottles purchased, and endorsement I’ve done for this whiskey by word of mouth is unthinkable. Today almost all of my friends have switched to this drink. Priced at 570 Indian rupees I can vouch for this drink anytime. Taste so smooth and mellow, yet complex with maturity this blend of Scottish Malt whiskies and Indian grained spirits is for the win stuff. The bottle comes packed in the most decent cardboard boxing.

Drink responsibly but more importantly enjoy, and do remember, whiskey is risky but if drank with precaution it ends up classy.

Image Courtesy: Google Images

Lounging, Pubbin' and So much more: Top 5 Lounges/ Pubs In Goa

There comes a point in everyone’s life, where they decide to just lay low. I concur that is exactly why pubs and lounges originated. Yea, call me frenetic, but I’m sticking to this explanation. Although a pub is more crowded and more beer oriented in contrast to a lounge, which is laidback and has a decent sitting and quality food service with preferably premium alcohol.

Lounges/pubs are perfect when you want to unwind and have a rather less energetic night or day as opposed to clubbing. One spends quality time with friends, good food and nice laid back music as well. Whether to gossip about your first kiss, breakup or sexual encounters, nothing goes better with a good clan, ambience, alcohol and food. Goa is no short of either gossip nor pubs and lounges.

For convenience I had to club both my top 5 pubs and lounges.

#5.Soro – The Village Pub

Like the name suggests and no surprises, soro meaning alcohol in Konkani is located in the green village of Assagao. From the owners of SinQ beach club, Soro from the exterior has maintained a very Goan tavern look to it. The moment you enter it, no surprises for guessing, it lives up to its fancy décor and shady lighting.

This place has a dedicated ladies night on Friday nights serving Sangria and martinis. They are also decked by live band performances, Dj’s and a very riveting concept of stand-up comic acts. Most of the activities take place in the air conditioned area inside. The outside sports a pool table and a decent drinking and eating section. Good quantity of food and well-priced alcohol as well out here. Not even 6 months old, this pub is giving its competitors a serious run for their money.

#4. Lounge Terminal

Located on the fifth floor of the Caculo mall in Panaji, this elite lounge is a class apart. Top notch furniture, décor and lighting. Sufficient number of television sets and decent background music sees no one complaining at all. Garbed food serving and a widespread alcohol menu of most imported alcohol is pouring here. 

    https://www.facebook.com/loungeterminalgoa/?fref=ts

A very good concept about this lounge is you can buy a bottle, lock it and have it the next time you decide to visit. This definitely increases customer loyalty and also promulgates responsible drinking.

#3. Waters Beach Lounge and Grill

Possibly the most scenic view in the entire state, placed on the edge of the Vagator cliff and a sea view many would die for. Waters is a three layered master piece. Cubana seating, space for a DJ and an in house lounging space, I am an in absolute awe of this place.

    https://www.facebook.com/watersbeachlounge/?fref=ts

Slightly high end, but the entire experience is absolutely worth it. The sun downers seem to be celestial out here. Food one can most definitely gorge on, like the name states, Grilled items is what you want to have on your plate.

#2. Down The Road Riverfront

Located in the heart of the city on the Rua De Ourem Road, this majestic pub shot to fame because of its projector multiple screenings of Euro Football games, FIFA World Cup as well as the Cricket World cup games. Two Storeyed with a river view, multi cuisine enchanting serving and more than obliging bar.

    https://www.facebook.com/downtheroadgoa/photos/a.10150715673284303.418697.134634774302/10153944814779303/?type=3&theater

Possibly one of the veterans in Pub history of Goa, this place offers Karaoke as well as regular nights with a DJ on the console. The whole vibe of the place once you visit, will want you coming back for more.

#1. Café Mojo

Part of the Hotel Salida Del Sol, this Pub is absolute magic. Terrific interiors with its own brewery serving tap beer. For any item (food or alcohol) you need to avail of a Mojo card. Recently revamped and made to two storeys, this pub attracts a lot of foreign as well as national tourists. Has its own ladies night, Karaoke night as well as nights with a DJ.

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1724000731177571&set=gm.1228274403867000&type=3&theater

The addition of a pool table and large projector screen to telecast live sport will only be an impetus to this Irish kind of a vibe Pub. Free cheese lings for every order only, entice people to come back for more.

Since I’m currently studying in Mangaluru, thinking of these places get me all nostalgic about all the good times my friends and me actually spent at these places.

Beer Belly: Top 5 beers under 100 Rupees in Goa to try out

Beer is very close to my heart, I mean belly. I like to put the blame on beer for my figure, although in honesty it’s sheer procrastination. Alright coming back to the purpose of this post, I think beer and Goa share a very sacred bond. I’m not too sure, but I believe Goa is definitely one of the cheapest places on planet earth to sip on a beer, if not the cheapest that is. The very fact that the legal drinking age in Goa is 18 years and above speaks volumes.

Many people are of the belief that wine is the best aperitif. I however opine that is beer. Forget aperitif, even whilst having a scrumptious meal beer goes down so smooth. When with friends, family or just to chill, there’s nothing like a chilled beer on a hot summer day. People say this too shall pass beer helps you pass out. 

Okay I’ll stop being lame now and list out my top 5 beers to binge drink on under 100/- rupees. 

#5. King’s Black Label

 

No, this is not a poor man’s version or imitation of Johnnie Walker’s Black label. Its Goa’s very own locally brewed beer which is creating waves not only around the state but nationwide.

Don’t let this cute bottle structured fool you, it can be quite delightful and refreshing. This 330 ml pilsner is known for its light taste and strong aroma. The bottle just adds to its peculiarity. Priced at just rupees 30 at a wholesale retailer, I see no reason why one would not want to give it a try. The abv is 4.85 %.

#4. Bira 91

Fairly new in the market, this beer is seeing an unprecedented rise across the nation. It has definitely found a strong fan base in Goa as well. Mixed with malts from France, Belgium and Bavarian Farms. Brewed in New Delhi itself, this results in the perfect output of Bira 91.

 

Available in two distinct variants white and blonde, the white ale is a wheat beer with low bitterness and a mix of spicy citrus. This is priced at rupees 90/- at a Goan wholesale retailer for 330 ml. The blonde is five rupees cheaper in comparison and is made of barley as the made ingredient. Despite being on the pricy side, I would definitely recommend all beer lovers to definitely sip on these beers. Both have alcohol by volume of 4.9%.

#3. Carlsberg Elephant Strong

Danish beauty I call this, and definitely one of the best produce. Being an internationally recognised beer, it has done exceptionally well in the Indian and Goan market.

The strong factor really does play its part while consuming this beer. Abv is 7.2%. Priced at 65 rupees for a 500 ml can, this is an absolute steal. 

#2. Budweiser

It says American pale lager, but trust me it is anything but that. In fact, I’d say it’s radiant in all of its forms. Love how the cans are designed and particularly the logo font.

Very smooth and easy on the tongue and throat. Like it states buds, it’s definitely buds with buds whenever we buds decide to just chill out. Abv of 5% and decently priced at rupees 35 for the glass pints and rupees 60 for the 500 ml cans, this will certainly widen your circle of buds.

#1. Tuborg

A personal favourite and Copenhagen’s best, I definitely go all out for this brand. A part of the Carlsberg Group, it emulated the parent company in my opinion.

Found in vivid green bottles, this beer is also known for venturing and sponsoring various festivals in Goa. Abv of 4.6%, a pilsner priced at rupees 35 for the 330 ml and rupees 68 for 650 ml. I think the bottling itself will want you to indulge in it. The best part is you do not need an opener to binge drink.

Dam, I so feel like just supping on any of these beers after completing this post. Due to Lent constraints I will however have to abstain until Easter. Till then I’d recommend you’ll to try these out if you have not, and if have already, stick to your favourite brand. 

On a more serious note, please drink responsibly. The rest will follow. A great man once said, “Drinking provokes the desire, but takes away the performance.”

King's Black label beer image courtesy: Google Images