Boilermakers at Toto's Pub

Those were the days. Fresh out of school. Fresh at the pub.

My first pitcher of beer, a celebratory one to commemorate a potentially intense induction into 5 years of college, fun and parties was a mere Rs 250 (£3).

It was here, at Toto's pub in Bandra, Mumbai where I began my learning - its true, Pink Floyd and The Doors are better mixers with a pint than most other things.

However - one fateful day, as many other, when the litres of alcohol feel like gallons going down your system, I was introduced to the Boilermaker: an inconspicuous looking conception namely a shot of whisky at the base of your glass of beer. The point is to let it sit there - not drown. Beautiful.

Boilermaker's became a side interest like most other things in college are - studies, TV and what not. Its just that we had a different name for it - the "motherf*@ker". Beer lovers hated the whisky, and whisky lovers hated the beer. However, alcohol lovers like me didnt care.

If I were an advertising professional, I d design a campaign for this product with the tagline - "Dont let it hold you back" appealing to hardcore beer and hardcore whisky fanatics to let loose of their years of loyalty and try something new.

I am glad I did. The Boilermaker.