Where to drink this weekend in Mumbai: Belgian wit

Witbier tastes of orange peel and coriander

Witbier means white beer, named for its pale, cloudy look. It comes from the farm breweries east of Brussels, around Hoegaarden. A big share of raw, unmalted wheat and often some oats give it a silky body and a haze that never settles. Dried orange peel and crushed coriander seed go in at the end of the boil. Belgian yeast adds a peppery, lightly fruity note.

Bitterness is low and the finish is dry and bubbly, with a gentle tartness that makes it refreshing. Serve it at 3 to 6 °C in a goblet. Our Belgian witbier style page has the full profile. The witbier guide covers how brewers make one.

Seven Mumbai outlets list a wit

Two brewers, Doolally and Independence Brewing Company, account for all the wits in our Mumbai list. Every outlet below is confirmed as open in our directory, though that tells you nothing about Christmas Day itself. Beer lists come from our brewery directory, last checked September 2026. Taps rotate, so call ahead before you set out.

• Doolally Taproom, Andheri West. Belgian Witbier. Doolally opened here in 2015. Bohemian Pilsner and Oatmeal Stout are also listed.
• Doolally Taproom, Khar West. The same Belgian Witbier, with Rauch Bier, a smoked beer, on the list.
• Doolally Taproom, Kemps Corner. Belgian Witbier, alongside the Bohemian Pilsner.
• Doolally Taproom, Hiranandani Estate, Thane West plus Sanpada, Palm Beach Road. Belgian Witbier at both, with the Oatmeal Stout.
• Independence Brewing Company, Seven Bunglows, Andheri West (Versova). Band Wit. German Weissbier and Nitro Stout are the other beers listed.
• Independence Brewing Company, Powai. Band Wit, with the same German Weissbier and Nitro Stout.

The coriander should smell of citrus, not curry

Coriander is the spice most likely to go wrong in a wit. The seed should taste floral and citrusy. Old, stale seed or a heavy hand pushes it towards curry, which is a strange thing to meet in a beer. That is why brewers crush fresh seed close to the moment it goes in at the end of the boil. They use a light touch.

Mumbai makes a good comparison easy. Doolally's Belgian Witbier and Independence's Band Wit are two takes on one recipe. Independence also lists a German Weissbier, a Bavarian wheat beer whose banana and clove come from the yeast rather than added spice. Taste a wit and a weissbier side by side and the two wheat traditions stop blurring together. Most drinkers notice that they differ. Naming exactly how is a trained skill. Our tasting guide is a good first step.

Three dishes that suit a wit

Coriander and citrus are already familiar in an Indian kitchen, which is why wit works so well at the table.

• Goan prawn balchao. The bright, spiced beer cools the red chilli. The orange peel cuts through the tangy masala.
• Dhokla with green chutney. Light, airy and a little tart, it echoes the beer's texture. Coriander appears in both.
• Masala dosa. Potato, mustard seed and curry leaf sit happily with the coriander. The bubbles lift the ghee.

Our guide to Indian food and beer pairing explains the thinking behind these.

Plan a short, sensible Christmas evening

Do not assume any of these outlets keep normal hours on Christmas Day or over the holiday weekend. Call before you leave. If they are open, Andheri West is the easiest pairing: Doolally in Andheri West and Independence at Seven Bunglows give you both wits in one area.

Ask for tasters rather than pints and drink water with every round. Eat as you go. If you are out with family or friends, make sure there is plenty for anyone who does not drink. Take a cab or the metro home. Never drive after drinking.

Hosting at home instead? Pour small measures in goblets, serve the beer with food and keep fresh lime soda or plain water on the table for guests who would rather skip the beer.

Start with the style page

Open the Belgian witbier style page and read the aroma notes. Then ring your nearest outlet. Ask whether it is open over the holiday and whether the wit is pouring. If it is, order a taster first and smell it before you sip: orange peel, coriander, a little pepper.