Life was well set for IIM graduates Suketu Talekar and Prateek Chaturvedi and VLB Berlin graduate Oliver Schauf, a German national, until one fine day, they decided to quit the well-paying jobs and venture into manufacturing beer. Four –and –a half years later, the trio are on a high with the first ever craft beer unit- Doolally set up and functional at Corinthians Boutique Hotel in Pune.

“It seemed as if we were under the influence of alcohol when we decided to call it quits in our previous job. Because discussing with friends about starting a venture and following it up on a day-to-day basis are two entirely different things. But all the efforts have finally paid off and we are one of the first craft beer manufacturers in the state and probably second in the country,” says Prateek Chaturvedi.

A revolutionary concept, Doolally is a unit that manufactures specially crafted beers and serves it at the same location. “We are the Barista of beer making. We love beer and that has been the driving force behind the venture. Commercial gains are a side product. We look at making beer as an art we love to indulge in and want to give the same experience to all those beer lovers out there,” smiles Chaturvedi.

There is an interesting story behind the name Doolally too. Apparently in the British era, the Devlali camp near Nasik was the place soldiers would rest during their breaks from the fields. The best of beer was served to these soldiers. “The name Doolally became popular after the British soldiers pronounced Devlali in that manner. In fact they would say -Lets have beer and go Doolally,” smiles Chaturvedi.

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