Beer came to India through the East India Company and found the hot local climate utterly suitable for consumption of endless rounds. Sadly though for the boys from England who eagerly waited for ale from home, the five month long voyage from London to Bombay across the Cape of Good Hope left the beer flat and practically undrinkable. Brewers in London were on their mettle; they could not abandon their countrymen to swelter in the tropics without the cheer of beer.

Thus was born 'India Pale Ale' or IPA. This beer was specially brewed for export to India; a higher ratio of 'hops' (plants whose cones give the bitterness and aroma peculiar to beer) helped suppress bacterial infection and retain the taste. The new beer was popular among the civilians and soldiers, including a certain Lt Winston Churchill of the 4th Hussars, who quaffed the golden fluid in the Bangalore United Services Club, which is now the elite Bangalore Club.

The popularity of beer soon led to the birth of Bangalore Breweries which went on to become United Breweries. Today, this Rs 10132 crore (US $2.5 billion) liquor giant owns breweries across the world and dominates close to half the beer market in India. Every third bottle of beer drunk in this country of over 1 billion people is Kingfisher.

Pitchers of draught beer overflow in Bangalore's watering holes; with India's biggest brewer headquartered right here, beer lovers have no worries about getting the brew by the barrel. There are absolutely no class or sex barriers when it comes to enjoying a beer. The crème de la crème saunter out to their swanky clubs - an evening at the Kingfisher Umbrella Bar at the Bangalore Club is delightful indeed. If you peek into the Century Club, you would spot government babus who seem to need quick refills after a day of pushing files around. Across the town, it is all high fives and energy at the Catholic Club where members rehydrate themselves between turns on the dance floor. Out on the golf links, well, let us just say that the 19th hole is the most popular, with Kingfisher quenching the thirst of weary golfers. The happy hunting grounds for a cheery experience are the hip pubs. Most evenings, they are a sea of humanity; perched on bar stools or grouped around packed tables, pub-hoppers of all ages beatifically smile as they signal another pitcher.

Every pub has its own USP that marks out its regulars and is in fact a sure sign of identification. Music and beer is a rocking combination; from the brand new Hard Rock Café, to the old favourites like Pecos, Tavern at the Inn, Opus and the swanky Blue Bar, Dublin and i-bar. Keeping the music flowing, Kingfisher sponsors concerts by bands such as Sepultura.

The biggest beer bash happens annually when the city plays host to The Kingfisher Great Indian October Fest, the largest festival of its kind anywhere in the country; every beer drinker worth his froth would have to be here. With large tents setting out delicious food and the freshest draught beer specially brewed for the occasion, there is music, fashion shows and loads of dancing. The good times get better during telecasts of major international events like F1, cricket and football organised by Kingfisher at popular watering holes. After having hollered themselves hoarse, the way to cool off is of course with the Kingfisher draught.

If it can cool you down, the city's favourite beer maker can also get you all steamed up with the award-winning Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar featuring India's hottest models. Now in its sixth year, it has a cult status in the fashion world and is a big-ticket collector's item. From style on the wall to style on the ramp, Bangalore scores high on the fashion quotient. The Kingfisher Model Hunt, a search for the freshest talent to face the spotlight, attracts hundreds of participants and ends at the gala Kingfisher Fashion Awards that felicitates the best in the Indian fashion industry.

There is no doubt about it; life in Bangalore is the king of good times.